Record Reviews

ATOMIC ROOSTER ~ ON AIR: LIVE AT THE BBC & OTHER TRANSMISSIONS REPERTOIRE 1336 (Barcode: 4009910133620) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1972 Released: 2018 This is an archival album by the British Progressive Rock group Atomic RoosterFind albums by this artist, founded by keyboardist / composer Vincent CraneFind albums by this artist. The album offers a collection of live material, recorded for the BBC Radio 1 and German and Belgian TV. The two CDs present all the audio material and the DVD presents the TV video material, which means that the audio tracks are duplicated as the soundtrack of the video material. Altogether this package offers eighteen audio tracks, most of which were composed by Crane, and fourteen video tracks (two of them duplicated as different camera positions). The majority of the material was captured in 1972 with just two songs recorded in 1970 and another two in 1971, by older lineups of the group. Most of the material is performed by the lineup that features Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist on lead vocals, Crane on Hammond organ and other keyboards, Steve BoltonFind albums by this artist on guitar and Ric ParnellFind albums by this artist on drums, the lineup that recorded the "Made In EnglandFind albums with this title" album. All the music was meticulously remastered and offers a superb sound quality. Crane was undoubtedly one of the absolute top British Prog keyboardists of the time (late 1960s and early 1970s), every bit as good as Keith EmersonFind albums by this artist, but without the bloated pretentiousness, and stylistically close to Brian AugerFind albums by this artist. His work with Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist was absolutely light years ahead of the time and his Atomic Rooster years established also his position as a composer, who managed to come up with some of the most impressive Rock riffs ever. His imagination and inventiveness were absolutely unique. Farlowe, who as my readers know already, I consider as one of the top Prog vocalists ever, offers the entire range of his sensibilities from Soul, Rhythm And Blues, Rock and Jazz, and his performances here are the best support to my claims as to his importance. Bolton and Parnell also perform spotlessly and with great energy, precision and above all god taste. Overall this is a superb opportunity to revisit some of Prog´s best moments, which still offered bold statements and iron balls, before the genre went completely into self-pity, lethargic excursions into nowhere and above all everlasting boredom. This music is full of zest, ingenuity and nontrivial musical adventures and is a wonderful time capsule preserving these moments for posterity. Early British Prog enthusiasts will find this collection essential and filling a gap in the Atomic Rooster story with material that is not readily available. As usual with the RepertoireFind albums on this label label, this album is excellently packaged and offers knowledgeable liner notes by their resident music historian Chris WelchFind albums by this artist. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 30/06/2018

2CD+DVD 3 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend