JOHN LIVENGOOD

John Livengood's 1980 untitled, first and last, solo project is full of marvelous prog/electronic compositions, but the same way, other un-humorous, minor and irrelevant songs.

Livengood's musical background spawns from playing in all kind of french prog/bands. From Red Noise to Spacecraft to playing alongside Richard Pinhas, Patrick Vian and others.

This record kind of sounds and feels more like a compilation, than a thought of as an album project, but that is my perception. Either way it is, composition wise, uneven. In a kind of one "humorous song" then a "serious composition" then a humorous then a serious...the contrasts between each sequence, just enhances the very good opposite to the merely silly. Yeah! I understand all this "Dada" songwriting approach, but it is not a magic formula.

So, a 12 song record that begs to be edited off at least six songs, certainly does not apply for the 4 star medal. Sadly because there are 5 masterful progressive/electronic songs, which end up supporting the whole album, and really deserve to be listened to.

Anyway, do not miss, but you have been forwarned!

***3 "good" PA stars.