Search - Hugh Masekela :: Live at the BBC

Mixed blessings

patrickbb | Longueuil, Québec, Canada | 04/01/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The music is all that you would expect: spirited, played with joy and passion. Unfortunately this is a recording of an outdoor concert and the sound has the most annoying hum throughout I have heard on a recording in long long time, making any portions where the music is not playing full blast unlistenable. Quite unfortunate since the spoken word portions are important in this type of performance. That this album is released without a warning of the technical issues on the cover is reprehensible. I plan on buying "Hope" and am keeping my fingers crossed that the music is as good, but that the recording is not cursed by the sound. By the way, no: this does not add to the charm by providing a "you are there" experience. The sound was probably just as annoying for the audience. To call it "Live at the BBC" adds to my feeling of having been suckered by this one... I sincerely believed it was a live recording in a BBC studio."