First-rate jazz-rock
tony_hunt | 10719 Berlin Germany | 12/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The jazz is 'modern', the rock 'progressive', the fusion of the two perfect. This is a live recording, so not exactly of studio-quality slickness/balance, but for that you get real immediacy and interaction - surely what jazz and rock are all about. Not, perhaps, the place to start with IF: that would be the self-titled album (IF), also out on CD, or even Forgotten Roads, though if this band does for you what it does for me, you'll want to collect all the original albums, making the Forgotten Roads compilation redundant."
Archival Recording Shows IF At Pinnacle Of Career
Bryan Moore | Seattle, WA | 08/03/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"IF was a progressive English 7pc jazz rock group (1969-1972) who released 4 fine studio Lps. This live performance collection rocks with Jethro Tull-like flute, raucous guitar, a very tight rhythm section, and IF's signature dual sax harmonies. "Waterfall" is the best vocal piece; but the highlight is the 20 minute instrumental "What Did I Say About The Box Jack?" which is loaded with solos. The quality of the recording is surprisingly good; considering the era. A great companion to FORGOTTEN ROADS-THE BEST OF IF!"
A perfect complement to the Forgotten Roads compilation...
Squire Jaco | Buffalo, NY USA | 10/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Since IF's "Forgotten Roads" includes highlights from their first three albums, and this live album includes most of their fourth album, these two cd's together can ably fulfill your dream IF collection. (That is, if you ever had a dream of collecting some nice IF....)
Great performances here, and very well recorded - very present, very tight. And the songs are filled with wonderful melodies and harmonies. A very energetic and appreciative crowd makes itself known only during the short breaks between songs. Nearly 58 minutes of some of the best jazz rock ever made, by a British group that never seemed to get its proper due, at least compared to BS&T, Chicago, Ides of March, etc.
IF differentiated themselves from the other big band jazz rock outfits by excluding brass, so there's a somewhat softer edge to their brand of music. That doesn't mean they can't rock - the long guitar solos on "I Couldn't Write and Tell You" and others are simply scorchers! And the rhythm section is strong and innovative on all their songs. The vocals are kind of interesting too: J.W. Hodkinson sang with a nice tenor, but had almost a southern twang! He shows off some nice gutsy vocals here.
Special mention should also be made of the album closer, the 20-minute long "What Did I Say About The Box Jack?" Flute, sax, guitar, jamming....sublime, my friends.
If you're reading this, you must have been directed here by some jazz-rock reference.
This is the real deal folks - if you love the jazz-rock scene of the late 60's and early 70's, this is ESSENTIAL. I guarantee you'll be seeking their other cd's after one listen to this one.
IF'n ya know what I mean....;-)
I value interesting music that is played and recorded well. This cd's rating was based on:
Music quality = 8.8/10; Performance = 9/10; Production = 9/10; CD length = 9/10.
Overall score weighted on my proprietary scale = 9.0 ("4-1/2 stars")"
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1