Search - It's a Beautiful Day :: It's a Beautiful Day at Carnegie Hall

What happened to: "White bird must fly or she will die"?

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 05/24/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"By 1972, when IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY AT CARNEGIE HALL was recorded, the band had undergone some personnel changes from their classic 1969 lineup. Guitarist Hal Wagenet was replaced by Bill Gregory and Linda LaFlamme (David's wife) turned keyboards over to Fred Webb. Left to carry on were lead vocalist David with his flute and violin, backing vocalist Pattie Santos, drummer Val Fuentes and bassist Michael Holman.



David's voice strains here while Patti's in good form. IABD has a harder edge on these eight tracks but they're still easy to recognize. Extended versions of three faves from their self-titled debut LP are welcome; unfamiliar tracks are contributions of new members (Tom's "Going to Another Party" and Bill's "Grand Camel Suite"). These are interesting but certainly not essential.



The set opening high energy cover of Taj Mahal's "Give Your Woman What She Wants" is nicely handled by Pattie. David then announces "an old song" ("Hot Summer Day") and we're off and running. Strangely, the lyric "White bird must fly or she wil die" has been changed to "White bird must fly, she must fly." Loses its impact, IMO.



Audio quality is a lot better than has been reported, with a faint, fading echo in the quiet between loud passages. If there's any disappointment in this set, it's with David's raspy sound when singing with any force. The smoothness that so gently lulled us way back when is just gone. It's not a total loss however. This is s searing concert presented to a very appreciative audience, and as it stands, is most enjoyable.



PROGRAM--



[3:48] Give Your Woman What She Wants

[8:27] A Hot Summer Day

[3:53] Angels and Animals

[8:25] Bombay Calling

[4:19] Going to Another Party

[5:10] Good Lovin'

[3:00] The Grand Camel Suite

[7:12] White Bird



TOTAL TIME: 44:14"