MAN ALIVE

This compilation of live tracks actually bears the qualified approval of fans of the band. "Qualified" because the fans were asked to nominate only live tracks which had previously appeared on Eagle Records releases, so the choice was somewhat limited. While the tracks are therefore from the period from 1972 to 1994 there are large gaps (including most of the 1980's), in the performance dates.

The album kicks off with a significantly extended version of "Spunk rock" taken from the 1972 "Greasy Truckers' Party". The piece becomes a 20 minute monster of controlled improvisation with superb guitar dominating throughout. The song has become legendary in the history of Man, this rendition making it clear why it has gained such popularity. Three of the five remaining tracks on disc one ("C'mon", "Bananas" and "Life on the road") were also recorded in 1972, at the Rainbow Theatre in London, UK. All three tracks would subsequently appear on the studio album "Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day". The sound quality of these tracks is not nearly as good as that of track one, sounding at times little better than a bootleg. Considering Man were appearing as the support act at the gig (to Hawkwind) the audience reaction is pleasingly favourable.

"C'mon" finds the band in unusually soft mode, with high harmonies and dreamy guitar. "Bananas" and "Life on the road" are more orthodox Man numbers, duly extended by further improvisations. The absence of guitarist Deke Leonard means that the keyboards are afforded a bit more space than usual here.

The first disc is rounded out by "7171 551", taken from the confusingly named "1999 Party album." That album was in fact recorded in Chicago, USA in 1974 on Man's first US visit, once again supporting Hawkwind. The album was originally released as a bootleg in 1991, but became an authorised album, ironically one year before its title in 1998. This and the opening track on disc two from the same album, were originally recorded by Deke Leonard as part of his solo "Iceberg" project before they were adopted by Man. The results are understandably a lead guitar fest and a retro rock'n'roll number.

The three tracks from the 1975 "Live in London" album were actually recorded for broadcast by the BBC as part of their "In concert" series. As a result, the recording quality is probably at its height here, although the tracks themselves are less memorable.

The version of the title track from the "Welsh Connection" studio album here is taken from "All's well that ends well", a live album which at the time was thought to capture the band's final performance together, Man splitting thereafter. Once again, the recording quality is good, the piece being reminiscent of something by the Allman Brothers. The whispy harmonised vocals are not what we might expect from Man, indeed they sound almost commercial.

We move on to 1983 for two tracks from "Friday 13th", both tracks originating from the early 1970's. These recordings from a gig in London, UK represented the band's first reunion, albeit with a few line up changes. The choice of older familiar material was sensible, reassuring the fans that the band would continue to do what they do best.

The final set is from 1994, with three tracks from Man's appearance at the Glastonbury festival. Here on "Even visionaries go blind", a track intended for an abortive Man studio album, they sound more like Hawkwind than ever. The album closes with a 10 minute run through of "The ride and the view", from "The Welsh connection", the track being rather misplaced here as it has become the set opener in recent times.

This double CD compilation tends to be available at a budget label price. As such, it represents a decent way of obtaining a good cross section of the band's work played live. For many fans of the band, that is the best way to hear them.