220 VOLT LIVE

"220 Volt Live" is quite a different live album than usual. It is much more upbeat, features lots of electric guitar solo (and not of the mildest ones), some sax is being played as well (but this is not the first time though).

In one word, if you expect their marvellous and stellar music, you might be disappointed. But if you give it a few spins (but I admit that I had to give a lot of them before posting this review), you might be rewarded by your patience.

There are still some nice and atmospheric moments, don't be afraid, but these are quite discreet and short. Each track follows the previous one without interruption (up to "Homeless") which can give the sensation to be faced with a long and unique piece of music.

This is the problem with this work: the sensation of repetitiveness has never been so obvious. And it lasts for about seventy five minutes. This album is still interesting to understand the band's evolution in the nineties, but a traditional fan of the early hour (as I am) might find it difficult to approach.

Melodic guitar and frenetic drumming during the title song are quite a mix, shall I say. Different, but interesting at the same time. The closing part is more conventional and holds very pleasant keyboards.

During the second long number ("Homeless"), the guitar parts sounds more familiar as a "Santana" effort than on a TD one. Again, very nice, but so different to what can be expected.

The first classic TD track is reached with "Sundance Kid". Another beautiful and sculptural piece of dreamy music (at least during its initial phase). The beat afterwards get even more classic and can be compared to their works from the seventies. My favourite on this album for sure.

This seriously guitar oriented live album provides some good moments of emotion ("Hamlet") and a huge surprise: "Purple Haze" from the best guitar player ever (Jimi of course). This is an all instrumental version which does its job but no more. The audience's reaction is amazing. I wouldn't have imagined that TD fans should know Jimi's repertoire (but I am also one example). But maybe that these crowd cheering were added?

In all, this long album is quite decent but it's hard for me to choose between two or three stars. Five out of ten really.