QUICHOTTE

TANGERINE DREAM were masters of the live performance. Their spacey beats and synths allowed them to indulge in a considerable amount of live jamming, with guitars, flutes, synths and whatever took their fancy used to overlay that persistent sequenced rhythm.

This meant that no two classic TD performances were ever quite the same. This can be witnessed from the hundreds of bootlegs available - and by listening to this album. For 'Quichotte' - or 'Pergamon', as it was retitled in 1986 to catch the unwary - is in major part 'Tangram' live. The main themes are instantly recognisable as such. I imagine that this leaves TANG fans with mixed emotions on tracking down a copy of this rare recording.

'Tangram' was retrogressive to my mind, and 'Quichotte' does nothing to change my view. Skilled surgeons have operated on this music to remove any hint of drama or avant-garde-ness, leaving a bland pap that is so much less than the full TANGERINE DREAM experience. Despite there being nothing to object to - it all sounds fine - I cannot recommend this album to anyone but the collector or fan. Not even a superb FROESE guitar solo that takes up most of Side 2 can save this one.

If you want to find out what TANGERINE DREAM were like live, look elsewhere.