HEADS OR TALES LIVE

As you might know that I am actually not a big fan of Saga ...but I occasionally spin the CD as I have some of their albums. It's quite funny to me that I love the band from their live album "In Transit" that I consider as one of the best live album in rock history especially with songs like Humble Stance that really explode my adrenalin. Based on the experience with the live album I then started purchasing their studio album CDs and like some of them. I also loved their live album titled as Detours. ANd now I have this Heads and Tales Live album released in 2011 and it performed the Heads and Tales album originally released in 1983 in its entirety. It's another funny thing again as I write this review I have never heard the original version. It's quite awkward isn't it? Never mind ....the reason I am wrting is not to compare with the original studio album as I really like this live version even though basically i don't quite like the songs performed.

And the next question is why am I writing this review? Simple, I am blown away by the live vibes and anergy demonstrated by the band in this live record: it's fantastic. Well .. I am not familiar with each individual song but as I play the music I am really tuned into it deeply. I love the voice quality of Rob Moratti. I think he sings wonderfully in this album as he can perform consistently from start to end of the album. Second, I love the guitar work performed during the performance - they are all stunning really! And ...it's rocking as well! Third, I love the keyboard work as well.

It starts off nicely with an ambient live vibe through what is titled as Intro (1:43) which sets the overall tone of the performance; it continues nicely to the opening track The Flyer (4:03) with full energy vocal-wise and music-wise. As the music moves I enjoy all the transition pieces with guitar as well as keyboard - and ...yeah ...the stunning guitar solo which is quite unique. Cat Walk (4:21) starts nicely with repetitive keyboard sound accompanied by heavy guitar work accentuated with keyboard ...oh it's so rocking man! The Sound Of Strangers (3:55) enters in with another style of riffs with sort of blues-influenced rhythm section. And again the combined guitar and keyboard work sounds wonderfully to accompany vocal. The music flows nicely from track to track The Writing (4:06), Intermission (6:14) and into the straight rocker Social Orphan (3:27). All sound really nice to my ears and also the remaining tracks The Vendetta (Still Helpless) (1:56), Scratching The Surface (5:17) and it concludes with The Pitchman (7:03). Only at the last track that there is a very nice solo combining guitar and keyboard that sounds very unique.

This is the kind of excellent live performance with little improvisation as I do not hear any long guitar or keyboard solo except those embedded in each track which I believe it is similar or the same with its original studio version. Highly recommended as the it's relatively flawless. It's a very dynamic show and I hope I was there during the concert. Keep on proggin' ....!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW