Nektar – Live In New York

Live In New York is a live recording of Nektar from 1974, released in 1977, in New York city, where they always seem to give their best. In any case, Nektar is a band that you have to hear live to fully appreciate.

Here we have the band in their original lineup with Roye Albrighton on guitar and vocals, Ron Howden on drums, Mo Moore on bass and vocals and Taff Freeman on Hammond organ and vocals.

The band is young and hot, with their chemistry evident and a technical prowess that sparks interest. There are many versions of Live In New York, but the double CD version is the best, as it contains all the songs from the concert.

Nektar start the concert with “Astral Man” and rocking hard. They then had a little trouble with the first part of “Remember The Future” when the power went out, which is barely noticeable, with the band doing the right thing and carrying on. In fact, the band never miss a beat after this incident and continue with “Marvelous Moses”, slowing down slightly to enter “It’s All Over” and then hitting the gas again for the fast-rocking “Good Day”, which really fires up. The fast tempo then drops a bit for a fantastic rendition of “That’s Life” and resumes with “Show Me The Way” to culminate with “Day In The Life Of A Preacher”.

Amidst all this musical extravaganza, the melody is everywhere in every song with amazing interplay between the band members. Even the most complex tracks sound just as beautiful and flow one after the other as the group reaches its climax.

Roye Albrighton has a great voice, his guitar solos fit each song perfectly and in fact each musician shines when it’s their turn in each song, with no time wasted. What is obvious is that the band works perfectly and every song is special. If you want to hear something more rhythmic with a jazz flavor, listen to the wonderful “Desolation Valley”. If you want something more rock, listen to “Good Day” or “Life Of A Preacher”, “Crying In The Dark/King Of Twilight” and “Fidgety Queen”. Then there are the two parts of “Remember The Future” where everything is played within these two musical suites. The second part especially, features a brilliant guitar solo interwoven with “Lonely Roads” which is part of the suite. Rock and Roll and Blues are represented on this album as this band shows they can do it all. There is something here for everyone.

Through this excellent live album I select “Desolation Valley”.
 
Tracklist

Disc 1 (53:26)
1. Introduction / Astral Man (4:01)
2. Remember the Future, Part One (15:38)
3. Marvellous Moses (8:36)
4. It’s All Over Now (5:26)
5. Good Day (6:47)
6. That’s Life (6:30)
7. Show Me the Way (6:28)

Disc 2 (67:32)
1. A Day in the Life of a Preacher (15:43)
2. Desolation Valley (9:57)
3. Remember the Future, Part Two – Tomorrow Never Comes (8:16)
4. Remember the Future, Part Two – Recognition (7:25)
5. Crying in the Dark / King of Twilight (10:01)
6. What Ya Gonna Do? (Woman Trouble) (4:09)
7. Medley: Johnny B. Goode / Sweet Little Rock & Roller / Blue Suede Shoes / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (6:10)
8. Fidgety Queen (5:51)