Release Date: 23rd
June 2014
Label: Gonzo MultiMedia
Steve
Hillage is a very well-known English musician, best known for his superb guitar
work. He was closely associated with the Canterbury Scene (or Sound) which was
a group of prog rock, avant-garde and jazz musicians based around Canterbury in
the late 60’s/early 70’s. Steve has worked mainly in experimental domains since
that time and besides solo recordings (14 albums), he has been a member of
Gong, Khan and System 7, as well as being associated with Uriel (Arzachel), The
Orb and Clearlight.
This latest release, Rainbow
77, would, one surmises, be the issue of a concert at the Rainbow Theater
in London. Material appearing on the album has come from the solo releases, Fish Rising (1975) and L (1976) and the album that was just
about released, Motivation Radio
(1977). Despite a fair search across the web, there seems to be very little
agreement about this particular release. There were 2 Steve Hillage concerts in
the Rainbow during 1977, apparently March and November. Consensus seems to
suggest that this is a recording of the later concert, and Steve does announce
the musicians on stage with him during the show, which confirms the November
setting.
The musicians involved in Rainbow 77 are Steve Hillage (guitar, synths and vocals), Miquette
Giraudy (synths, sequencers, bells and vocals), Joe Blocker (drums and backing
vocals) and Curtis Robertson (bass).
Rainbow
77
is an 11 track release with a total playing time around 74 minutes. The
shortest track on the album is track 6, “The Salmon Song” at 3:43 minutes and “Searching
for the Spark” track 10 is the longest at over 15 minutes. (15:15)
“Octave Doctors” (4:07) opens Rainbow 77 and is greeted
by the sound of a very enthusiastic audience. Some excellent guitar and
keyboard carry the instrumental theme along with some really solid foundation
work by Joe (drums) and Curtis (bass). The link into track 2, “It’s All Too
Much” (6:17) is seamless and the keyboards power out the melody closely
followed by the guitar. This is a very simple catchy track with the
characteristic voice of Steve in fine form. Some very tasty guitar just prior
to the 2 minute point really fires the musicians along and the track is simply
a gem.
“Light In The Sky” (4:22) has a thumping drum intro into
some heavy guitar riffing before the vocals edge into the proceedings. There is
some interesting interplay between the voices of Steve and Miquette. A short,
but sweet, track which maintains the momentum with again that superb guitar
from Steve and almost UFO sounds effects from Miquette.
“Radio” (7:31) is a very different styled track with some
natural (countryside?) noises mixed in behind an acoustic guitar. There seems
to be an underlying effect of trying to emulate the constant changing of the
frequency of a radio, before the track settles down after around 2:30 minutes.
This is a more experimental track which draws the listener in, the longer it
evolves. This is then followed by handful of tracks that are very clearly both
audience (and band) favorites, ”Electrick Gypsies” (5:35), “The Salmon Song”
(3:42) and “Solar Music Suite Part 2” (7:10).
“Motivation” (6:41) is a “ripper” of a track with
stunning guitar that simply soars and pulls everything, and everyone, along
with it. Following that track, the new sport of “Saucer Surfing” (8:14) shows
that superb guitar work from Steve, in front of a thundering rhythm powerhouse.
The penultimate, and longest, track on offer is
“Searching for the Spark” (15:15) and allows the band to evolve the style of
music that Steve is associated with, long meandering guitar based music with
some excellent keyboards/synths burbling away just under the surface, kept in
check with the rhythmic “engine room” and the track is simply a joy to listen
to. The final track, “Hurdy Gurdy Man” (5:04) is a stalwart of the Steve
Hillage live shows and is certainly a very different prospect to the original,
Donovan, single.
The excellent guitar playing, synths that burst in here
and there, but burble away constantly and a superb drum and bass duo ensure
that this is a very pleasing live album and easily remembered.
Rainbow
77
is an excellent release and the sound quality is very high, always a potential
downside with some live albums, but my one little bugbear with this release, is
why? Much, if not all of this material is available on other live albums and
although the tracks might vary slightly from one recording to another, I am not
sure that it really justifies Rainbow
77’s release. While it might be an essential purchase for Steve Hillage
followers, it might, however, also be an entrance into the music of Steve
Hillage for those wishing to dip their toe into this style of music? The band
deserves plaudits for this concert and the sheer electric atmosphere that seems
to have been present is conveyed well across this recording. Give the album, Rainbow 77, a few listens and decide
whether you want to add it to your collection or not.
5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: It’s All Too Much, Motivation, Searching For The Spark
Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog
Rock Music Talk
September 8, 2014
Review
Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk
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