TOME 87

I'm surprised that this is the first review from "Tome 87", the seminal French progrock band Ange has delivered so many pleasant and exciting prog. But in my opinion the last months the Prog Archives site is a bit too dominated by fans from Dream Theater, Mars Volta, Radiohead and people who are begging for attention (and awarded!) by offending the progheads with ridiculous negative reviews about progrock masterpieces from bands like Yes, Rush, Genesis and Yes. So please Prog Archives, be careful with your permanent links and keep in mind that this site should be more than a flood of reviews from a aforementioned bands, the charm from Prog Archives should to be that the visitors from this site got the possibility to discover more unknown and interesting prog! This review is about this live-CD from Ange who could only rehearse one week in their 'Tome VI line-up' to make 'Tome 87'. If you're up to the typical Ange sound (a bit theatrical French vocals and very alternating climates) this CD is a must, what a captivating and compelling music! This CD contains 11 tracks including many 'classic' songs like "Les longues nuits d'Isaac" (excellent singer Christian Decamps and a great interlude with melancholic vocals and soaring keyboards), "Sur les traces des fees" (emotional vocals), "Le nain des Stanislas" (catchy rhytm with powerful guitar/organ and a bombastic finale with a great synthesizer solo), "Fils de la lumiere" (beautiful interplay between swelling keyboard and fiery electric guitar) and a warm version of "Hymn a la vie". This CD also includes a bonus: an unreleased interview with Christian Decamps by Bruno Versmisse from French progrock magazine Harmonie. If you compare this CD to "Tome VI" you will miss the typical vintage keyboards like the Mellotron and string-ensemble but the music is so moving and powerful that I'm sure it will please many progheads! SUPERBE!!

What is fantastic about this live recording, is maybe not the tracklist played that night of October 1987 but more than probably the electric atmosphere generated by the band in the Zenith, Paris. Eighty % of the hall is filled (ttoal capacity : 5,000). Several opening bands (all French, except Dick Annegarn who is Dutch, but singing in French and partially living in Belgium...) for this event before the great Ange enters the stage.

Ange will consider this concert as a repetition for some things to come, because those lads have decided to continue to play together after this event. Sorry for the youngsters who have been played with the band for about ten years. According the information on the sleeve, Ange had only repeated for one week before this concert (remember, almost ten years separates this concert and their last one in this legendary line-up).

The openenig song is a very short version of an unedited track : "Le Chien, La Poubelle et la Rose". Actually, it is only the closing part of this song which is fully played on their first live album "Tome VI". Maybe the first blunder...

This album is made of eleven tracks. Six of them were already available on their great "Tome VI" (which only featured nine songs). Sounds a bit too much.

Still, the great song "Le Cimetière Arlequins" is featured and its introduction only deserves its place here. Two minutes forty seconds of the most complete delirium (it definitely shows how much they were influenced by my dear friend Peter). Not to speak about the song, of course. The greatest moment of this live record.

I would have expected more epic songs, but that's what we got : a very good and EMOTIONAL Ange come-back. At the time of release, some forteen years after the concert (something I can hardly understand), there will be an interview of Christian Descamps available in video format, telling us a bit more more about that special night.

How he thought of entering the stage like they used to do some fifteen years ago, how they will really enjoy to play together again etc. He will tell us how much he dislike nostalgy...but still; that night Ange played in front of a very nostalgic crowd. Lots of parents who have discovered Ange long before this, now accompanied by their children who are discovering this mythical prog band.

Four stars (but I am adding one to its true musical value). Pure nostalgia, I guess...

This was recorded live in Paris in October of 1987. It's been almost 10 years (1978) since they put out a significant record, so you could say they're past their prime but don't tell the French fans here who seem to be very enthusiastic about their heroes playing their seventies favourites. Considering I don't know French this is a difficult listen when we hear Christian talking and shouting to the audience and not having a clue what he's saying (haha). It's about the music though and while it's good I miss the mellotron and organ from their seventies albums.

"Le Chien, La Poubelle Et La Rose" is the band introduction followed by a short guitar / drum led section. "Aujourd'Hui Cest La Fete Chez L'Apponts Sorcier" opens with keys, drums then guitar. Vocals follow. It settles 1 1/2 minutes in with acoustic guitar and synths. Then it kicks back in a minute later. "Exode" has this symphonic intro before settling as the vocals join in. It picks up before 3 minutes with some nice guitar. "Les Longues D'Isaac" is the first song that i really like. This is classic ANGE right here. A nice vocal display as well on this one. "Ode A Emile" is my favourite. Strummed guitar as the crowd claps along. Vocals join in quickly. Some passion in those vocals before 2 minutes then a guitar solo.

"Sur La Trace Des Fees" is pretty good with the acoustic guitar and reserved vocals. It gets fuller as themes are repeated. "Le Nain De Stanislas" features theatrical vocals when the music kicks in. Lots of synths late in this one. "Fils De Lumiere" is led by vocals and synths. Guitar after 2 1/2 minutes and a drum solo to end it. "Le Cemetiere Des Arlequins" opens with spoken words and atmosphere. Music after 3 minutes and lots of applause late. "Tout Feu Tout Flamme" opens with drums and synths. Vocals join in.Guitar after 2 1/2 minutes and more synths follow. "Hymne A La Vie" features lots of acoustic guitar and vocals early.

Not bad but for me this is hardly essential. I'd stick with their seventies classics.

I have had the pleasure of seeing Ange twice early 70's,and there is no better live band.This is one of the many live albums they have done and the performance,atmosphere and sound is brilliant! I do have a niggle with the short introduction - the beginning of La Poubelle is a killer intro- why start with the end bit? After that,sheer perfection.Many Ange classics are on show here and brought to life by the band, Christian,I believe,is up there withthe best male vocalists of rock.Yes the lyrics are in French,but you get the passion and a story being told- better than Gabriel any day! ( Sur la Trace).Francis adds some brilliant eerie mellotron keys at the beginning of Le Cimetiere as Christian has some bonkers vocals! This band are a joy to listen to- yes some live albums duplicate songs- but the songs are SO amazing you cannot get enough.