2003 has seen the majority of the Saga catalog treated to pristine remaster jobs, and 1982's live In Transit being no exception. As far as live albums go, this one's pretty special. Featuring 9 of Saga's well known songs from the first four albums, the sound quality and performances are top-notch. Plus the booklet features full song lyrics, tour poster photos and other assorted goodies.
Saga perfectly combines proggy synth textures with hard rock guitar and pop hooks like no other band, and in a live setting the results are identical to the studio recordings, only a bit more powerful. To many who like live albums to sound just like the studio versions, this is a godsend. To some who like to hear the band stretch out a bit in a live setting, this CD might be a bit of a disappointment. Saga performs note-perfect renditions of classics such as "Careful Where You Step" (one of my personal favorites), "Don't Be Late", "Wind Him Up", "No Regrets", and the hit "On the Loose" with such precision, that listeners might scratch their heads at the complete accuracy with which they perform these tunes. I mean, how many sloppy live albums filled with endless jamming and improvisations have we all heard in the history of prog and hard rock? Probably many. This one certainly does not fall into that category. It's actually one of the most perfect live recordings you will ever hear-the guitar of Ian Crichton is cranked up, Jim Gilmour's keyboards are bright and symphonic, the rhythm sections of Steve Negus and Jim Crichton are precise and beefy, and the wonderful vocals of Michael Sadler strong and melodic.
So, if you are looking for expanded live versions of Saga classics, you've come to the wrong place. If you want to hear one of the better live statements of the 1980's, by one of the classiest groups around, then be sure to pick up In Transit, in its new, remastered form. You won't regret it.
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