GONG EST MORT? VIVE GONG!

This is a recording from an historical event. On May 14th 1977 there was a Gong festival in the Hippodrome in Paris. 14 hours of Gong in several line-ups and several related bands. Among the bands appearing most notably one named Strontium 90, consisting of Andy Summers (lead guitar), Sting (vocals and rhythm guitar), Stewart Copeland (drums) and Mike Howlett (bass). If someone says "wait a moment, that's Police", yes, you are right. The roots of police stem from this band. A fact hardly anyone knows. Some of the band members had played in several other line-ups of Gong or in solo acts before this final Gong concert, and this can most notably be heard in the performance of Pieere Moerlen on drums. Not that he is bad, but one has heard more lively drumming of him.This is especially notable on "Master Builder". But he has to be excused. He had already played three other gigs before this one, in the band of Steve Hillage and in the Shamal and Gazeuse line-ups of Gong. Anyone would have been tired. This line-up of Gong plays material from the 4 albums "Camembert Electrique", "Flying Teapot", "Angel's Egg" and "You". It is the so-called "classic" line-up of Gong, consisting of Daevid Allen (vocals and glissando guitar), Gilli Smythe (vocals), Tim Blake (synths), Mike Howlett (bass), Steve Hillage (guitar), Didier Malherbe (saxes and flute) and Pierre Moerlen (drums). The band obviously has a lot of fun, and the songs are performed well. Due to the fatigue of Pierre Moerlen this album derves 4 stars only though. Nevertheless it is a classic.