KING BISCUIT FLOWER HOUR PRESENTS GTR

I had to give GTR another shot, I guess. I saw this album on the record shelf for months and took me all this time to finally listen to it. Well, I knew this live recording could never be worse then their only studio album recorded in the 80´s. But I must admit that I was not expecting it to be that good. Well, not brilliant, but very good. Incredibly, on stage GTR really sounds like a ´real´ group, not just like a project built around the two guitar heroes nor an Asia´s formula exploitation. And without the restrainings of studio time and a bad producer Steve Hackett and Steve Howe have room to show their amazing skills.

I think that if it was not for the not so good stuff from the original album, this could have been a great moment and a fine group after all. And even if the songwriting was originally one of their many issues, all the tunes sound better here than on their debut. Much better! The inclusion of such cover versions fo classics like I Know What I Like and Roundabout was quite risky. However, the results - taking in consideration it was the 80´s, the uncoolest time to do such thing - are very good and respectful to the originals. They play a complete, note perfect version of Roundabout! I loved the version of Hackett´s Spectral Mornings (actually only part of that song linked with Genesis instrumental After The Ordeal. Great!).

The CD also brings up a new song (Prizefighters intended for their second album) and Howe´s Pennants (form his sophmore solo release The Steve Howe Album). The production is simply excellent, with all instruments ande voices very well balanced. All the songs are performed with enthisiasm and conviction. This record is everythign their debut was not.

Ok, I would love to give this CD a higher rating, but since most of their stuff is really AOR/80´s pop with a little prog thrown in, I can´t say it is an excellent addtion to any prog rock music collection. However, if you like melodic rock done by brilliant musicians, you should check this out. So I´ll be giving it a 3.5 stars rating.

A very nice surprise from a band that seemed doomed from the very start.