SPACE RITUAL

If you want to hear some live HAWKWIND you have to check out "Space Ritual". They had an unexpected hit on their hands with "Silver Machine" which allowed them to do a major tour. The songs here are taken from two shows they recorded in Liverpool and London. What makes this so good is the raw energy and passion they deliver. I can just imagine how excited they were to hit the road and just let it all hang out on the stage. Well I wasn't actually talking about Stacia. Anyway this is the classic lineup with names like Nik Turner, Bob Calvert, Dave Brock, Lemmy, Simon King, Del Dettmar and Dik Mik. I like that we get to hear Calvert reciting poetry between songs because it gives us a little glimpse of what the concerts must have really been like. This was a double LP when it was originally released in 1973 and as others have mentioned the big surprise is that the song ("Silver Machine") that was a hit for them was omitted from their sets on this tour. Go figure ! Most of the songs come from what was their newest album at the time "Doremi Fasol Latido".

"Earth Calling" is like a spacey intro to "Born To Go" (a Calvert / Brock tune). Here we go ! Drums lead the way as vocals join in. Guitar takes the lead around 4 minutes. Some nice bass lines here. Sax after 7 minutes from Nik. "Down Through The Night" sounds so good when it kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes. Vocals follow. I like the guitar before 4 1/2 minutes as the bass throbs and the flute joins in. "Lord Of Light" is spacey to open then a good rhthym kicks in. Vocals before a minute and Lemmy is all over this tune. When the vocals stop the sax comes in. "Space Is Deep" starts to build. I like when the tempo picks up after 3 1/2 minutes. Nice. It starts to settle after 5 minutes. Outstanding song. "Orgone Accumulator" is another Calvert / Brock song. This one is catchy with vocals.

"Upside Down" is heavy and with vocals. Great tune ! "Brainstorm" is led by the drums which are smashing a path for the aggressive riffs.The guitar makes some noise after 2 minutes. Sax joins in and check out the ripping guitar 4 minutes in. A killer track ! "7 By 7" is a top three track for me. Spacey to start as bass and guitar come in. Drums and a more powerful sound after a minute. Vocals join in. Just a fantastic sound on this one. "Time We Left This World Today" is right at the top as well when it comes to favourite songs. Just a nice heavy sound with Nik's honking sax. "Master Of The Universe" kicks in quickly as spacey winds blow. "I am the center of this universe, the wind of time is blowing through me".The guitar starts to play over top after 2 minutes. Amazing ! "Welcome To The Future" is one of six (I think) poems Calvert recites but on this one it ends with an explosive instrumental display to the roar of the audience.

Nothing less than 4 stars for this piece of psychedelic history.