Excellent Remaster of the Band's 3rd Album
James L. Viland | Detroit, MI | 09/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Somebody has to be a Gemini, here. Listen to "Home Is Where I Want To Be", an interesting Ralphs composition with intricate interlacing organ and piano plus folk guitar, mellow, laid back and friendly. The next piece is the live remake of Little Richards', "Keep 'A Knockin". Here for the first time on the first three MTH albums you get an inkling of the full firepower of MTH live on stage. A real rush turned up loud as they were in concert, full chaos controlled beautifully (and the crowd loves it); very striking contrast! This displays perfectly the two sides MTH was capable of. Ralphs' guitar work as always impeccable, ranging from traditional riffs to harmonious patterns to nice flashing and crashing lead lines. Then he turns it up another notch and goes into tree sawing mode; quite a work ethic. Also, excellent rendition of Melanie's hit, "Lay Down" and the solemn orchestral "Waterlow", by Hunter. This album the band produced themselves, with inconsistent help from engineers, due to falling out with Guy Stevens after he pushed them over the edge on Mad Shadows and wanted to fire organist Verden Allen. Instead, the band stuck with Verdie and told Guy to take a walk. They missed him, although eccentric he was at least consitent, and teamed again on the next album, Brain Capers.
Other nice songs on this album; Hunter's "Angel of Eighth Avenue", and the bonus track of Mountain's, "Long Red". This was a tribute to the bands' friend, Leslie West, and a fine rendition indeed. The live version on Tale of Two Cities is also breathtaking. Great booklet here and composition by drummer Dale (Buffin) Griffin, as with all four of MTH's remastered first albums. You won't be dissappointed with the sound quality of this import CD, a must have and well worth the investment. Kudos to the Angel Air lable for getting these remastered historic discs into the market. They sound as good today as they did live, 30 years ago."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1