Live. Now there's a moniker that wasn't forward thinking. Up there with To Be and Time. The liner notes merely state that it's "deeper meaning" has been forgotten by the band. "Whatever happened to that band Live?" "I dunno, let's go to the internet and see. Hmm... let me type out Live, Germany. Hey look - lots of hits!"
"How do you pronounce the band again? Does it rhyme with hive or give?"
I think I would have tossed a more elaborate title on the album, since it's archival, but whatever the confusion regarding their name, what of the music? Definitely fits the Krautrock sound of the early 70s. Focus is on organ, but also guitar, and a little bit of flute. Some vocals too but they're not the centerpiece. There's a slight classical bent to the compositions (beyond the one that really is a classical comp). As such, fellow German bands like Trikolon, Tetragon, and Tyburn Tall all come to mind. One German reviewer (in the early 70s) compared them to Beggars Opera, which was really astute.
Live only managed to release one 45 in their career and it's on this CD. I would suggest starting with those 2 tracks, as it gives the best representation of Live's overall sound. While Live is hardly the best representation of undiscovered German tapes, it's worth seeking out, as it tells yet one more interesting story of the overall Krautrock historical tale.
Ownership: CD: 2006 Garden of Delights. Recent online acquisition (2022). Fantastic release with full liner notes, excellent sound (all things considered), and photos. There were so many great releases in the mid 2000's, that I missed a few, and this was one of them. This CD is actually a reissue of an obscure LP that the band put out themselves in 1995, that is long sold out. In addition to the album, this CD includes one lengthy 14+ minute live bonus track from 1971. Good stuff all around.
8/8/22 (new entry)
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