1974 - 75 LIVE

Blues album with some Jazzy undertones. Not much experimentation, despite its length, 2/3 of this album is blues (its slow pace is well suited for long 8 minutes track, think of Derek & TD Key to the Highway). This doesn't mean this album is bad, only it's mostly not Prog. Exception to this rule is Freedom Jazz Dance. Unfortunately, sound quality is rather average, nothing perfect. It's enjoyable though. I like it, because I like blues from time to time. But for fans looking for some typical Jazz Q material, this would be shock.

3(-), think of it as a rarity, not usual album.

This live album by JAZZ Q samples three shows they did back in 1974 and 1975. The first three tracks were from a concert on July 28 1974, while the final six songs were from shows on January 13 and February 2 1975. This is a Blues albums folks with one JRF track and a dark instrumental. The music is certainly worth 3 stars but the sound quality doesn't allow me to rate it anything more than 2 stars sadly. Lots of crowd noise too at times.

I should have mentioned that we have a female vocalist here who sings in English. "Watch Out" is a fairly energetic Blues song with vocals. "My Mother Told Me..." is also very Bluesy but slower paced as we get harmonica, Bluesy guitar and piano helping out. "We All Had A Real Good Time" has guitar, a beat, vocals and is Bluesy(gasp). "Sanctuary" is a top three as we get an ominous vibe in this slow moving instrumental. I like it ! "Giving Up" is laid back and very Bluesy. Some sax too.

"Freedom Jazz Dance" is easily my favourite and the only JRF tune in sight. Man if they had played more of these and the sound quality was better i'd be one happy guy. Violin 1 1/2 minutes in is ripping it up and i love the electric piano later when the vocals stop and they jam. The guitar then leads after 5 1/2 minutes. Vocals are back before 8 minutes. "Lonesome" is laid back and Bluesy with vocals. "Living For The City" is a top three and a Stevie Wonder cover. Good song. "Co Dum Dal" ends it with an uptempo Blues tune.

Fans only, but don't let this stop you from checking out this incredible band.