PYRAMIDS AND STARS

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.