Nektar - 1977 - Live In New York

Nektar 

1977

Live In New York

Original LP tracks:

01. It's All Over Now 6:31
02. Good Day 6:48
03. Remember The Future (Part 2) 8:19
04. A Day In The Life Of A Preacher 15:12
05. Desolation Valley 9:41
06. That's Life 8:00
07. Show Me The Way 4:43
08. I Can See You 7:27
09. King Of Twilight 10:22
10. Woman 4:06
11. Good Ol' Rock 'n' Roll 5:49


1978 - More Live Nektar In New York:

01. Fidgety queen (5:30)
02. That's life (8:10)
03. Show me the way (4:20)
04. Marvelous Moses (8:22)
05. It's all over now (8:25)
06. Astral man (3:10)
07. Remember the future part 1 (14:00)
08. Remember the future part 2 (8:16)
09. King of twilight (10:00)


CD Version:

01. It's all over now (6:33)
02. Good day (7:08)
03. A day in the life of a preacher (14:53)
04. Desolation valley (9:39)
05. That's life (8:00)
06. Show me the way (4:40)
07. King of twilight (9:54)
08. Woman (4:05)
09. Good ol' rock'n roll (5:40)

 1CD version omits "Remember The Future (Part 2)" and "I Can See You" from the 2xLP set

Track listing of remaster (2004):
[consists of the complete concert, including material originally released as "More Live In New York"]

101. Introduction /Astral Man (4:00)
102. Remember The Future, Part One (16:15)
103. Marvellous Moses (8:36)
104. It's All Over (5:26)
105. Good Day (6:48)
106. That's Life (6:28)
107. Show Me The Way (6:28)

201. A Day In The Life Of A Preacher (15:43)
202. Desolation Valley (9:57)
203. Remember The Future, Part Two (8:16)
204. I can See You (7:45)
205. King Of Twilight (10:01)
206. Woman Trouble (4:09)
207. Medley (6:53)
208. Fidgety Queen (5:51)

Recorded live at The Academy Of Music, New York City on September 28th 1974

- Roye Albrighton / lead vocals, guitars
- Mick Brockett / lights
- Alan "Taff" Freeman" / keyboards, backing vocals
- Ron Howden / drums, percussion
- Derek "Mo" Moore / bass, backing vocals

Review by

Todd E. Carper (Edgewood, Md United States)

Nektar are a band that has to be caught live to be fully appreciated. This is a live recording of the band in its prime from 1974 in a city where they always seem to play at their best, New York. It is also the band in its original line-up with Roye Albrighton on guitar and vocals, Ron Howden on Drums, Mo Moore on Bass and Vocals with Taff Freeman on Hammond Organ and vocals. The band is young and hot, its chemistry obvious as its technical prowess and hooks. There are several versions of Live in New York, this is the best since it is all the songs, the complete show. The band hit the stage on fire with Astral Man and rock it hard. They hit a small snag on their hit Remember the Future part one when the power goes out but it is barely noticeable and the band does the right thing and keeps on going; in fact the band never slows down after that as they groove on Marvelous Moses, slowing ever so slightly for It’s All Over and then hit the gas again for their hyper driven rocker Good Day which is searing. Again they let off the accelerator slightly for a fantastic rendition of That’s Life and then punch it again for Show me the Way and then take things to the fever pitch that is Day in the Life of a Preacher. Through it all, the melody is all over every song with amazing interplay between the players; the intricate pieces fall together beautifully and flow one into the other as the set builds to its climax. Roye is in great voice, the solos on his guitar fit perfectly in every song in fact each of the players shine in turn in each and every song so there is no time lost. What is evident is the band work well together and each song is a highlight. Want something groove laden and Jazz flavored, try Desolation Valley which is superb. Want a rocker? Try out the previously mentioned Good Day, the equally smoking Day in the Life of a Preacher, or Crying in the Dark/King of Twilight or the closer Fidgety Queen. Then there is the Remember the Future Parts one and two which have all the moods rolled into 2 intricate suites of music; personally my choice is part two which has a brilliant guitar solo woven into the “Lonely Roads” part of the suite. The Rock and Roll and bluesy side are represented as well as this band shows it can do it all. There is something here for everyone, give it a listen and you WILL be rewarded. Rock on Nektar!