LIVE OBLIVION VOLUME 1

You would expect the music on Live Oblivian Volume 1 to be better than Volume 2, but actually it is the other way around. As usual this album shows off the amazing high energy jazz rock keyboard playing of Brian Auger. Brian rocks harder than most jazzers, and is a little jazzier than most rockers, this makes him sort of a misiing link between the worlds of Jimmy Smith and Jon Lord. Unfortunately this album does not contain his best material from this era.

The album opens with Beginning Again which shows the bands main strengths, Stephen Ferrone's kinetic drumming pushing Brian's fast licks over a very unpretentious RnB/jazz groove. Brian has great keyboard sounds on this album, pure analogue B3 and Fender Rhodes with a bit of distortion and occaisonal tape echo. After that scorching opener things bog down a bit on Don't Look Away, which features their weak spot, the vocals of Alex Ligertwood.

Side 2 starts with Wes Montgomery's Bumpin on Sunset. Wes's original is a great peice of smart urban groove, but Auger's version seems a little slow on this album. To make matters worse Alex starts improvising vocals about how Wes "found himself". The song does get in one nice B3 solo before it grinds to a halt. The album closer, Truth, has the band back playing their trademark high energy two chord vamps, but the arrangement is too choppy and relies too much on the lead guitar playing of Jack Mills. Jack is OK, but no match for Auger.

This album has its moments, but if you want to hear this band at their best get Live Oblivian Volume 2.

2.5 stars really!!!

Yet another change into the Express' line-up, with percussionist Laington having left and allowing space for the returning Ligertwood on vocals and supposedly percussion. If memory serves, their next release would also be a live album with the same artwork (strongly inspired from CTI and SA) but in pink colour. Why they didn't issue a double live album is beyond me, especially knowing they were the rage around. Blue or Pink colours sounds like a maternity) but in either case, the flavour is the one of a group that seems completely lost

After an overstretched jam of Beginning Again bringing nothing new, but at least showing a little energy, the group takes up Don't Look Away (from Second Wind), where guitarist Mills gets to strut his stuff and finally compare favourably to his predecessor Mullen. Again the track is overstaying its welcome by at least three minutes, but I suppose this kind of funk arrangement and live settings allowed for inflated duration times. The flipside holds another two lengthy tracks, including an almost definitive version of Bumping On Sunset (also obligatory given that the gig was on Sunset strip in LA), vastly livelier than the soporific SA studio version. Last up is Truth, which sounds a little too inspired from Situation from the Jeff Beck Group's Rough & Ready album, bassist Clive Chaman being the obvious link here. In either case, beit from the track's name or the actual songwriting, attributing it to Ligertwood is a little dodgy in my eyes.

Oddly enough, despite Ligertwood's presence on vocals, all Santana hints are gone in this live recording. If Alex would join up Santana, it wouldn't up until 79's Marathon and he is definitely not a good percussionist: he's almost absent (or inaudible) bar a few diddles on Sunset. While I wouldn't call this album useless at all, I'd rather have seen it as a double (rather than two singles), which would've still not made it essential, but at least more desirable to own.

To make them correspond to the item of Prog Rock, Brian Auger that dissolves "Trinity" forms "Oblivion Express". At that time, at the time of having been formed the band did not obtain a too good reaction compared with "Trinity". The flow of the band that the market makes Yes and ELP a first on the list as a popular part at that time and the flow of Hard Rock , for example, Deep Purple will have been main currents as the result. A few in might have been necessary for the understanding level concerning the music character at which Brian Auger had aimed as a result at this time.

The make offered a good quality for the content of 1st album and "A Better Land" that had approached Prog Rock most in the work of Oblivion Express. However, it is said it is not necessarily good if it considers it from respect of sales of the album.

The activity as the band also had the period that stagnated because sales of the album were a little in a slump. However, it will have been from time of "Second Wind" that had been announced in 1972 that the situation was gradually improved. After greatly replacing the member, the band to which the activity and the situation began to be steady gradually starts the activity of music. In addition, part of refined Groove and part of Funk. These were introduced and announced "Closer To It" told the music character in the field of the fan and Jazz Rock of Rock. And, a lot of fans that exceed the genre by "Straight Ahead" announced in 1974 continuing are acquired.

Some the points accompanied for the music character of the band at this time can be enumerated. The spectator's reaction by the tour done along with the announcement of the album appeared indeed remarkably. It is said that the mobilization of the spectator who exceeds race's frame especially became clear by the tour in the United States. This respect might be proof that the listener purely exactly accepted to the music character of the band.

And, the existence of Alex Ligertwood appointed by the tour of the band at this time might be also important. It is said that Brian Auger requested to contact Alex Ligertwood that existed in Paris at that time and to participate in the band. Enough Vocal was necessary for the tour dared along with the album that sold in the United States. Brian Auger needed Alex Ligertwood along with the tour.

Or, the existence of Stephen Ferrone that supports the band for the music character of the band at this time and the tour might be also important. Construction and Groove of the rhythm that merges in the performance of the band are already overwhelming. The performance of the band has combined exactly.

Brian Auger is convinced that the band received Peak at this time. The album following "Straight Ahead" was determined to be announced as a live album. It is announced as a separate, as result live album because of the dissension with RCA though live done in Los Angeles of three times scheduled to be put on the market at first as a record of seeing by 2 piece sets. It is said that Brian Auger dared to put the title of "Vol.1" and "Vol.2" to show off the existence of the band strongly.

Especially, the music character of the band that gradually acquired the fan from Britain through the United States might have indeed received one the top according to the content of the album at this time. The music character to establish as a band has the music character that unites the element of Funk and R&B well from the part where Jazz Rock was exactly made a nucleus.

The progress of Chord with the rhythm and the anacatesthesia with complete Groove of "Beginning Again" is splendid. The shape of good Jazz Rock is here. Part of song and chorus who gets on progress of complete Chord. Development advanced as the dash feeling is maintained is exactly suitable for the sense of live. Maintenance of Solo and Groove in electric piano. Or, the spirit of Alex Ligertwood that pushes own song out to previous completely tells the listener the appearance of live. Solo of the guitar is also good in the tune each other.

As for "Don't Look Away", the theme of complete Groove and repeated Funk might be comfortable. The tune has the element of Jazz Funk as much as possible. The tune continues a little tension and shifts to Solo of the guitar. Solo of the guitar that Jack Mills does might have elements of a few Blues. The performance of the band that flows quietly will shift to Solo of the electric piano before long. The atmosphere of the tune is continued enough as much as possible.

"Bumpin'On The Sunset" is a tune with the atmosphere of mellow Blues. The sound of the organ completely decides the impression of the tune. The obbligati of the guitar also contributes to the atmosphere of the tune. The song is matched as much as possible. Solo of the organ that can be listened on the way of the tune might recollect the music character of Canterbury a little. It has the flow from which the part of Coda of the tune is calculated well.

"Truth" is Jazz Funk that elements of a few Blues entered. Chord of the dash feeling continued as an impression of the tune and repeated Jazz Funk is impressive. The width of the tune has extended greatly because Solo of the guitar in close relation to there has the element of Blues.

"Freedom Jazz Dance" can enjoy the device of the rhythm. The element of Jazz Rock and R&B has basically gone out ahead. The development of a complex melody in close relation to there and progressing the performance to recollect the rhythm of a little Latin might be splendid. The obbligati of Solo and the guitar of the organ continues the atmosphere of Jazz Funk as much as possible. It advances with the flow that Solo of the guitar that appears after giving a few changes to the atmosphere of the tune is good. The idea of the band that boldly arranges this tune collected to "Miles Smiles" of Miles Davis is splendidly changed into their flavors.

It has the flow that the flavor of a little Latin joins Jazz Rock as much as possible as for "Happiness Is Just Around The Bend". The part of the melody and the song to emphasize Syncopation is devised well. Solo of organ to get on steady rhythm of eight rhythms and part of construction of melody. As for devised melody and rhythm, the flavor for them is produced well.

Oblivion Express at this time indeed acquired the listener of all genres and was good with the activity. The content of this live album might be a work as the work that remarkably tells the appearance that should be called one the top for the band.