Here's a very cool archival live set unearthed from the deep vaults from the legendary prog/space rock band Nektar, Sounds Like Swiss. Taken from two performances from 1973 in Switzerland, the Swiss TV program Kaléidospop, and the Pavilion des Sports in Lausanne, both long believed to be lost but now we have audio from both and video from Kaléidospop spread out across 2CDs and one DVD. It's a virtual 'holy grail' for any Nektar fan, as footage and live recordings from this early in their career is very rare. The line-up includes gutiarist/vocalist Roye Allbrighton, Derek 'Mo' Moore on bass & vocals, Allan 'Taft' Freeman on organ & vocals, Ron Howden on drums, along with Mick Brockett who handled the incredible light show that was part of every Nektar performance.
Including tracks from the then new album Sounds Like This as well as songs from Tab in the Ocean and Journey to the Centre of the Eye, this is early Nektar at their absolute best, the prog and the psychedelia/space rock colliding with a hard rock mentality that works on all levels through songs such as "Desolation Valley/Waves", "A Day in the Life of the Preacher", "Crying In the Dark/King of Twilight", "Good Day", "1-2-3-4", and the legendary "Journey to the Centre of the Eye". Allbrighton's guitar screams and grinds alongside Freeman's heavy organ parts, the band looking and sounding like prog-rock bikers left over from the psychedelic era, and it's a joy to watch and listen to. One note, the video footage is in black & white, further adding the nostalgic flair to the footage.
It's all housed in a nice digi-pack complete with retro styled artwork, photos, and an essay. In short, a must own for any Nektar aficionado.
Track Listing
Disc 1 CD
1. introduction
2. Journey To The Centre Of The Eye
3. Desolation Valley / Waves
4. A Day In The Life Of A Preacher / Squeeze / Jimi Jam
5. Crying In The Dark / King Of Twilight
6. Let It Grow
7. Odyssee
8. Ron's On
9. Never, Never, Never
Disc 2 - CD
1. 1-2-3-4
2. Do You Believe In Magic?
3. Cast Your Fate
4. A Day In The Life Of A Preacher / Squeeze / Jimi Jam
5. Good Day
6. Desolation Valley / Waves
7. 1-2-3-4
8. Crying In The Dark / King Of Twilight
Disc 3 - DVD
1. Cast Your Fate
2. A Day In The Life Of A Preacher / Squeeze / Jimi Jam
3. Good Day
4. Desolation Valley / Waves
5. 1-2-3-4
6. Crying In The Dark / King Of Twilight
7. Da-Da-Dum
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