WORCESTER 07/06/2000

It must be an extraordinary occasion to experience QUARKSPACE live on the stage - recently really rare unfortunately. So this recordings are from 2000 - taken in Worcester when they were crossing New England on tour together with 'Architectural Metaphor'. The show was legaly recorded by somebody - but it took several years until the band was accidentally remembered about that. Now they finally decided to offer this performance via their homepage in 2009 - a good call! As you can expect from this prolific musicians the songs are presented playfully. They don't own a vast rocking component, this all has more of a spacey chilling atmosphere therefore.

Obviously the band members are in a good mood and the audience is rather delighted. The audio quality lacks for the start but improves a bit over the course. Subsequently it was even a surprise for them that Blanket Hill is already presented here - nearly one year before the track could reach for a place on the next studio album 'Drop'. QUARKSPACE open very relaxed - the instruments are nicely swirling around each other - where the second half is dominated by a special groove caused by an electronical percussion drive. Synthy patterns and piano are constantly alternating, and reaching the end they nearly turn to a jazzy colour.

Dancing Swan is from their debut and one of the band's live standards - this time transforming into space. And this will be proved for the last five minutes with a gliding flow accompanied by sentimental guitar impressions. Next songs are taken from the 'Hidden Moon' double CD. Compared to the other tunes The Circle appears in a more popular outfit with vocals, similar to the late Pink Floyd output. Then it all turns into another inspired improvisation - seemingly being unique, especially worked out for this evening in Worcester. Again it's this unique QUARKSPACE atmosphere which strikes - charming, so friendly, well-disposed - you never won't expect something nasty from these guys.

A band which uses the term 'space' for the name and several song titles should present a spacey flavour - and they are successful with that, especially regarding the second part of the last song when they are intensively looking for the spaceman. Certainly an interesting snapshot, especially for those who count themselves as die-hard fans of the band. Missing a better audio quality I still prefer 'Live Orion' though which was recorded in 1997. Anyway - the band is worth it to have some attention. You can download this songs for free from the homepage to get a proper impression.