Good quality audience recording although MES vocals are low in the mix towards the latter half of the presentation.
Band in excellent form, Smith very clear for about half of it and a good recording make this a must listen. Four gigs into the new Watts-less line-up the group has an excellent dynamic with a great balance between the various elements. Pritchard's guitar is particularly good tonight and the visceral kick of Elena's synth gives a real organic feel to the whole soundscape.
All material is played exceptionally well - the only let down is Mark's microphone problems from about half way in and he gets a low place in the mix. Most of the songs are recognisable fayre and the 2005 variations are interesting to hear given the way they were stripped down or speeded up in later concerts. "Ride Away" is particularly interesting having a particularly jagged other wordly feel to it. There are also some particularly squidgy synth sounds on "Touch Sensitive" which is blessed with some excellent bass playing from Trafford, and a lengthy peroration from MES at the end.
For me the star of the show is Spencer. His drumming on this night is particularly effective providing effective and appropriate light and shade under all the numbers. Both effusive and penetrating when required but also restrained and supporting under the quieter moments.
"Blindness" is, as usual, memorable with an excellent pulse from EP and a transcendent ride from the rest of them. A young lady next the taper at the end uses some rather colourful language to express her admiration.
Trafford gets almost Hanleyesque on a rather rushed "White Lightning" - unfortunately by this time MES is almost inaudible. Probably the last known recorded version of "Dr Bucks" in a long while.
Band in great form and playing very well, marred by loss of Smithy vox towards the latter half.
An interesting couple of minutes of audience banter at the end featuring the young lady who was using the anglo-saxon language earlier. Some interesting little sound bites that are worth sharing
"You look just like my ex Chemistry teacher from Sri-Lanka" (I assume about the taper?)
"He's so cool, he's so old and so cool. He looks just the same, and sounds great" (about Mark)
Band in excellent form, Smith very clear for about half of it and a good recording make this a must listen. Four gigs into the new Watts-less line-up the group has an excellent dynamic with a great balance between the various elements. Pritchard's guitar is particularly good tonight and the visceral kick of Elena's synth gives a real organic feel to the whole soundscape.
All material is played exceptionally well - the only let down is Mark's microphone problems from about half way in and he gets a low place in the mix. Most of the songs are recognisable fayre and the 2005 variations are interesting to hear given the way they were stripped down or speeded up in later concerts. "Ride Away" is particularly interesting having a particularly jagged other wordly feel to it. There are also some particularly squidgy synth sounds on "Touch Sensitive" which is blessed with some excellent bass playing from Trafford, and a lengthy peroration from MES at the end.
For me the star of the show is Spencer. His drumming on this night is particularly effective providing effective and appropriate light and shade under all the numbers. Both effusive and penetrating when required but also restrained and supporting under the quieter moments.
"Blindness" is, as usual, memorable with an excellent pulse from EP and a transcendent ride from the rest of them. A young lady next the taper at the end uses some rather colourful language to express her admiration.
Trafford gets almost Hanleyesque on a rather rushed "White Lightning" - unfortunately by this time MES is almost inaudible. Probably the last known recorded version of "Dr Bucks" in a long while.
Band in great form and playing very well, marred by loss of Smithy vox towards the latter half.
An interesting couple of minutes of audience banter at the end featuring the young lady who was using the anglo-saxon language earlier. Some interesting little sound bites that are worth sharing
"You look just like my ex Chemistry teacher from Sri-Lanka" (I assume about the taper?)
"He's so cool, he's so old and so cool. He looks just the same, and sounds great" (about Mark)