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Curved Air: The Lost Broadcasts (DVD)

I somehow missed Curved Air during the 1970s. But this DVD gave me a second chance. When you read all of the famous members this band once included you realize how much talent passed their way. The original lineup included, Sonja Kristina, on vocals; Daryl Way on violin; Francis Monkman, on guitar and keyboards; Rob Martin, on bass; and Florian Pilkingto-Miksa, was the original drummer for the band.

This performance includes excerpts from three separate sessions during March and September of 1971. During the sessions for this recording, the band used drummer Barry de Souza, who would later play drums on David Essex's Rock On, and Kate Bush's The Kick Inside, (remember Wuthering Heights). Eddie Jobson, violin, and Stewart Copeland, drummer for the band The Police, are also notable members of the band over the years.

Daryl Way, a classically trained violinist's opening to Vivaldi kicks this DVD into gear from the start. The over eight and a half minute instrumental is a great introduction to the powerful musicianship this band was capable of at one of the high points of their career.

However, the performance is greatly enhanced when you watch the evolution of Sonja Kristina's vocals which open with some trepidation and later relax as part of the dynamics of a band confident in the complex and evolving progressive masterpieces they are performing. Kristina has a very Grace Slick persona, and later even screams and dances during the performance. She is of course the star of the famous musical of the 1970s, Hair.

Back Street Luv, Parts 1 & 2 are by far the highlights of the performance, with the second version showing Kristina completely relaxed and confident out in front of the band as the better of the two.

Piece of Mind is a King Crimson - like rocker full of the great bombastic prog we lovers of the genre crave and can listen to for hours. This over ten minute epic is full of rich vocals from Kristina, excellent keyboard variations and haunting violin.

Drift back and enjoy an incredible journey to the early progressive era and watch how experts of the genre performed.

Track Listing:

1. Vivaldi
2. It Happened Today
3. Propositions
4. Back Street Luv 1
5. Back Street Luv 2
6. Piece of Mind

Added: November 14th 2011
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Gonzo Multi-media.com
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Language: english

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