PYRAMIDS AND STARS

The Tangent,that great melding of the minds between Parallel or 90 Degrees and The Flower Kings,have released this fine live album that nicely balances out songs from their two studio releases The Music that Died Alone and The World that We Drive Through.This performance was recorded at Aschaffenburg Colas-Saal on March 11,2004,and if you were not fortunate to see them live,this is your only chance to hear them with The Flower Kings Roine Stolt and Zoltan Csorsz,who have since been replaced by Karmakanic's Krister Jonzon and ex-Flower Kings drummer Jaime Salazar.The songs are executed very well live and sound just as good as the studio versions,with plenty of impromptu riffs and spontaneous solos.The highlight of this album for me was The Tangent's encore cover version of ELP's "Lucky Man",probably one of the best renditions of this song I have ever heard.If you like The Tangent and want to hear what a great live band they are,buy this album.4 stars.

As written at this site, The TANGENT is by concept a musical project that involves seven of the most dedicated progressive musicians today. The band consists of Roine STOLT, Jonas REINGOLD & Zoltan CZSORZ (all from The FLOWER KINGS), Sam BAINE & Andy TILLISON (from PARALLEL Or 90 DEGREES), Guy MANNING (MANNING), and ex VDGG sax/flute player David JACKSON. A line-up that historically spans the whole progressive music era.. This live album was recorded live at Colos Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany 03/11/04. This time David Jackson and Guy Manning did not present but it did not mean the line-up had become weak. This live set proves that the band is one or great prog band Planet Earth has ever had. AT least, I love The Tangent very much!

Prior to this live set the band had released two albums namely "The Music That Died Alone" and "The World That We Drive Through" of which these two albums I have written long review that you might want to read at this site. It's not important to read my review, actually, because what's more important is: GET THAT CDs of two albums! Even it's better you listen to the studio albums first an then move to this live set so you understand the difference.

What a great thing about this live set because in concert, The Tangent's music turned out to be a whole new and much superior level with great live vibes and very entertaining. I always smile whenever I heard this album which I have been listening to it more than 10 spins (hey! I have ripped the music into my PDA which I carries wherever I go. So, I keep listening to this album even though I'm traveling out of town like now). It's probably Andy Tillison who really make this concert entertaining. He serves as the band's communicator with his bad German (clearly stated at the CD sleeve. It's not my words because I can't understand German so I cannot comment!). This is how the liner notes says: Andy Tillison: organ, synthesizer, piano, vocals, and equally bad German. Hua ha ha ha. what a great laughs I got when I read this the first time. Indeed, he is a very funny and personable guy. He makes everything lively.

"The World That We Drive Through" kicks off wonderfully with clear vocal and piano, everything is performed very closely with the one you hear at studio version. But, there is major difference beween the two versions: this one is much more dynamic and "live" as it contains fresh music with spontaneous solos, jazz improvisation, and other good riffs.

My favorite "The Canterbury Sequence" sounds somewhat different in terms of instruments used, which probably something to do with equipment's brand. But, composition-wise it's pretty close with what I hear at the studio version. Rather than build up with the other parts of the epic, they cut to the chase and go straight for the jugular with this sequence. You might wan to read my review of first album on details of this powerful epic.

Roine Stolt's guitar work sounds heavier than studio version on "The Winning Game". The influence of The Flower Kings music is so obvious in this track. "The Music That Died Alone" is also excellent one and it's performed much better than the studio version especially the piano, in particular, is performed like a new thing in here.

"In Darkest Dreams" which started all of The Tangent album is now performed at the end of the concert. By this time the band's music has become matured and this track is very interesting to enjoy to conclude the concert. What to me sounds like an anti-climax is the inclusion of ELP's "Lucky Man" which I think was a bad decision for the band to perform this tribute. Not that they perform poorly but this song by ELP has become so boring on my ears (In fact, I never put this legendary song as my favorite because it has repeated chords that made me "bored"). Oh yes, it's a legendary track and so what? It's an anti-climax and I never get it played at my CD Player only once at first spin. Lucky Man is a very boring song that ELP should have not ever made it . Excluding "Lucky Man" featured in this CD, I consider that this CD is a masterpiece of progressive rock live album. Highly recommended (please skip the "Lucky Man"!). Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

This was the first official live release from THE TANGENT taken from a show they did in Germany in March of 2004. We are missing Guy Manning and Theo Travis but I like this stripped down sound. I should mention the band had released only two albums at this point "The Music That Died Alone" from 2003 and "The World That We Drive Through" from 2004. That makes this live release pretty meaningful to me since I bought both of these albums together and marvelled at the album covers and pictures in the liner notes at the time, let alone the music. The only difference in the lineups between those first two albums was VDGG's David Jackson bowing out after playing on the debut and Theo Travis taking over. THE FLOWER KINGS are the bass, drums and guitar here and they shine. Jonas Reingold, Zoltan Csorsz and Roine Stolt. Yes those first two albums were special and really a coming together of a PARALLEL OR 90 DEGREES and THE FLOWER KINGS. Sam Baine being the other member here and a keyboardist like Andy. Guy Manning a somewhat part time member of PARALLEL OR 90 DEGREES also would be part of THE TANGENT but he didn't make the trip to Germany as I mentioned earlier.

Man this is just a treat. We get a cover of ELP's "Lucky Man" to close the concert out and one track is dedicated to band member introductions leaving five tracks from the first two albums including three from the debut. Andy speaks in German a lot here including the band introductions and the opening monologue. This five piece put on a show opening with the almost 15 minute "The World We Drive Through" well 14 minutes once Andy finishes talking. My absolute favourites though are first "The Canterbury Sequence" with that distorted organ that instantly brings Canterbury to mind along with those vocal melodies from Andy another Canterbury staple. The other amazing tune is "The Winning Game" at just over 12 minutes.

Man Stolt is so good on the guitar throughout this show, the different styles he plays he really seems into it but then Jonas is a monster bass player too, then add the variety of keyboards from Sam and Andy. Just a lot of wow moments. The vocals and lyrics deserve a mention. Andy has proved over the many years he's been in the music business that his strongest asset is his song writing. This was an emotional ride at times, like visiting an old friend. We get an over 20 minute version of "In Darkest Dreams" and the 13 minute "The Music That Died Alone" as well on this over 77 minute recording. They need to re-issue this one, the beginnings that continue in 2022.