BETWEEN NOTHINGNESS & ETERNITY

I listened to this album for the first time two years ago with the view to review it. I just had to leave it due to simply being beaten up by the aural assault this album really is. Wisely, I thought it was a good idea to return to it when I had got some more experience within the fusion genre.

The history behind this live album is pretty well known. At the time of this live recording, there was no studio recording available (but possible as bootleg) so the band had no studio blueprint to play these songs from. So this is a live album with brand new material. Hence; this is not a sort of best off played live type of cash in live album.

But this album is by accident almost a best off anyway. The stuff on this album is just jaw dropping. This album still feels like being attacked straight in my face by the speakers on my stereo rack. This although the sound is a bit dubious. But that's the 1970s live albums for you. The music very, very intense with John McLaughlin's guitars shredding through the songs like a hot knife through butter. He more than proves that he was one of the best guitarists around back then. Listen to the final track Dream which is an guitar orgy. The rest of the band also backs him up superbly.

The quality is great throughout and all three suites here excellent. The intensity of the material does not leave much space for subtleties....... which there is none of here. My only gripe is the lack of any truly excellent tracks. But that is only a minor gripe. This album is a fusion fest and a celebration of life. Enjoy & admire.

4 stars