This double live album, made on BJH’s final tour with Wooly Wolstenholme in attendance, is one of the best live albums progressive rock has ever produced.

While not as exciting as Genesis Live or as grand as Yessongs, it shows the band in excellent form, fully in tune, playing many of their best songs, including “Child Of The Universe”, “Rock And Roll Star”, “Poor Man’s Moody Blues”, “For No One” and “Mockingbird”, the latter of which has never sounded better. All of the songs work much better as live performances than in their original studio form. Lees’ guitar and Wolstenholme’s keyboards work very well together both on stage and within the songs themselves. The sound is good, although there is no real audience presence except in the middle of the tracks. The 2006 UK release also includes bonus tracks such as “The World Goes On,” “Medicine Man,” and “Hymn For The Children”.

The album was recorded over two tours in 1976 and 1977, following in the footsteps of their platinum album Gone To Earth, which was a huge success in Germany and entered the Top Thirty Album Chart in the UK.

Live Tapes included songs from studio albums such as Poor Man’s Moody Blues and Hymn alongside with live tracks from albums such as Time Honoured Ghosts and Octoberon.

On Live Tapes, BJH not only showcased the band’s individual talents, but also their excellent teamwork in the style of all for one and one for all. It is an album containing their classic tracks, which, in addition to its excellent production and sound quality, can also be used by high-fidelity audio enthusiasts as a reference album.

Although BJH never had the success they deserved with contemporary bands of their time, such as Genesis and Yes, Live Tapes not only showcases the best songs from their peak, but also has a broad and vibrant sound. “Taking Me Higher” is transformed from a dry song into a three-minute sonic glory, while “Poor Man’s Moody Blues” pushes the boundaries of orchestral grandeur. The vocals are a unique performance and the musical harmonies send shivers down the spine. Live Tapes is also an essential listen for symphonic rock fans.

Through this amazing album I select the one and only performance of “Child Of The Universe”.

Tracklist

A1. Child Of The Universe 6:38
A2. Rock ‘N’ Roll Star 5:03
A3. Poor Man’s Moody Blues 7:04

B1. Mockingbird 7:20
B2. Hard Hearted Woman 4:35
B3. One Night 6:25

C1. Taking Me Higher 4:25
C2. Suicide 6:45
C3. Crazy City 4:35
C4. Jonathan 5:53

D1. For No One 5:50
D2. Polk Street Rag 5:40
D3. Hymn 5:25