LIVE TAPES

This originally 2-LP is my introduction to Barclay James Harvest. I was searching for progrock in a record store and my eyes felt on the inner sleeve of that 2-LP. I read Woolly Wolstenholme: Hammond C3 organ (including 2 Leslie boxes), Mellotron Mk3 and MK4, ARP Pro Solist synthesizer, ARP String-ensemble and Minimoog. In my opinion this wide range of vintage keyboards would contribute to a wonderful progrock sound without any doubt .. and it did! The sound of BJH is almost beyond the complex and varied sound from ELP, Genesis, Pink Floyd and King Crimson. It also has been nailed as a blatant ripp-off from The Moody Blues. Nonetheless, this band evokes so much progrock pleasure with their warm and melodic sound on this 2-CD. It contains simple but very melodic, harmonic and pleasant compositions, layered with wonderful Mellotron, sensitive, often slightly distored electric guitar, a decent rhythm-section and warm vocals. Highlights are "Child of the universe" (this could have been an UNICEF anthem!) featuring wonderful piano, Mellotron and moving guitar, "Mockingbird" (beautiful twanging guitar and then bombastic Mellotron), the emotional "Suicide" (great compelling atmosphere) and "For no one" (moving blend of fiery, distorted electric guitar, violin- and choir-Mellotron and dramatic vocals).

If I compare this one to my "BJH Live" review (five stars), I award "Live tapes" with four stars because some tracks sound a bit too polished (like "Rock 'n' roll star", "Hard hearted woman" and "Polk street rag").

BUT STILL THIS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO EVERY TRON- MANIAC IN THIS GALAXY!!