CAPTURED LIVE

It is only unfortunate that no Pentangle´s real live DVD has appeared yet. The band had a fantastic live performance that made them famous long before they recorded their debut LP. Well, the closest you got is this release, a studio live recording of them playing on the belgium TV. On the plus side we have decent sound, good images and a fine performance. On the down side we have short playing time and a limited repertoire (they were promoting the Reflection LP and most songs are from it).

If you´re a fan of the band (specially a fan of their first line up and jazzy/folk/blues phase) this is a must have. Even if this is not a ´real´ live concert (I mean in front of an audience), this is the closest you can get to see them playing live so far. And do they play good! I love Jaqui McShee´s voice (so close of Renaissance´s Annie Haslam...). Maybe not their best performance together, but still a fine document of a time when five talented people formed one of England´s most remarkable prog folk bands of all time.

For the short time and lack of classics, I was about to rate this DVD 3 stars, plus half star for the wonderful playing. I´ll round it four for now since no other proper, full concert DVD is yet available.