Search - Soft Machine :: Live in Paris

Modern CLEAN mix!

Carl Johnson | Detroit, MI United States | 05/08/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I can imagine the type of thoughts folks have when looking at this version of Live in Paris just released last week. "It doesn't have Wyatt on it"; Modern mixing destroys the authentic sound" and yada yada yada. What folks often forget (as I did in the beginning) is that along about 1972, just before and during the release of TSM 6, the band was softening their overtly brash sound and opting for a less harsh and abrasive sound. I believe this versions takes it one step further and cleans up some of the technilogical meanderings from the 1972 master tape recordings of this concert set and makes it presentable if a very positive way! The inclusion of John Marshall (The Bands prefered Drummer after Wyatt split), captures the band in a special moment in time. He is incredible! Commercially, things were in a flux for the band until the release of TSM seven. This captures the band as their are moving and gathering steam in the public eye (In europe anyway). They adjusted to personnel changes positively as it was an almost continuous event back in 1972. The recording is capturing a rare moment in the Soft Machine time capsule. This is a collectors piece and if you are not really familar with the band, it just might be better to start with their legacy album TSM3. Then come back and check out Noisette and THEN buy this record/CD. Great spin!"