RADIO SESSIONS

Third Ear Band's second life as they reformed on an Italian initiative started out back in 89 , but remained faithfull to their original sound some fifteen years later. Although Voiceprint does not give a date of recording of these two tracks and do not give also the radio on which they were broadcasted!

Only two tracks for some twenty minutes makes this album rather not indispensible for the non-completist fan. But they are quality tracks rather more energetic than the previous runs of five albums in the earlys 70's.

Third Ear Band was formed by drummer Glen Sweeney who once described the music as "electric acid-raga" but the story goes that when their electric equipment was stolen they simply became an acoustic based group. The group plays generally explorative instrumental eastern raga music with long hypnotic jams that slowly build. It is experimental and avant garde stuff that will likely not please fans of conventional rock music.

There are only two tracks on this release totaling 22 minutes in length. "Raga La Luna" and "Spirits" are rather similar in sound. You have a fairly consistent hand percussion accented by free playing oboe and violin with just a little guitar. I've had this CD for years and rarely enjoy listening to it, I find I really have to be in the mood. It's not bad music really but it just isn't compelling to me personally nor is it exciting. It's just there.

Recommended for fans of "acoustic acid-raga" and those who like to sit around the campfire serenaded into trance-like catatonic states on a moonlit night.