Search - Jack Bruce :: Live at the Manchester Free Trade Hall

Amazing performances

Robert J. Salo | Anaheim Hills , Ca United States | 05/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to listen to this and believe that the tapes lay in a vault somewhere for 28 years! Some of this sounds like advanced Cream, some of it sounds like King Crimson. All of it stunning. The rough mix and occassional "pops" and "noises" do not detract at all, in my opinion. A better recording would have been great, but I've heard MUCH worse than this. I'm not going to go over each track and review. If you are even reading this then you already must be somewhat of a Jack Bruce fan and if you dont have this already then get it-got it!"

Well i dont agree with the other reviewers

miguel hiraldo | miami, FL United States | 10/02/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Well, i am re-writting my review of this cd after i gave it a couple more spins. I like Jack Bruce's more experimental work (like what he did with don cherry and carla bley) and some of his duos, and other recent stuff too. So, since this had carla Bley in this particular band, i thought things would go (at least a bit) down that road. But the playing is actually lame in some parts, and others will sound just plain dated. No wonder Carla and Mick Taylor walked out of the band after a few gigs. BUT there are some wonderful parts here too. I have to admit it is an acquired taste ...so give it a couple of chances before sending it to the used cd store."

Ragged Glory - The Jack Bruce Band Live And Raw

El Lagarto | Sandown, NH | 07/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those who expect digitized acoustic perfection are advised to look elsewhere; this is a raw recording of a live show. If you can see beyond that limitation then you have a real treat in store. This concert recording, only recently discovered, is from an exceedingly interesting period in Bruce's career, demonstrating broad ranging interests that spanned jazz, rock, and even classical. (Bruce once noted that one might easily learn music theory simply by studying the baselines of Bach.)



In addition to Bruce, who is spectacular on bass and vocals, it features "dream team" members Carla Bley and Mick Taylor. (Bruce had worked on Bley's astounding "Escalator Over The Hill" some years earlier.) Ronnie Leahy also plays keyboards while Bruce Gary is clearly working up a sweat kicking skins.



As an insufferable musical snob who has performed music I am always drawn to live performances because I believe this is where one separates the Cheese from the Cheese Whiz. Today, almost anybody (no matter how talentless) with time, money, and access to a studio can sound good - examples are so easy to find I don't feel compelled to provide one. But for musicians to set up and play this well live - in Manchester! - that's another story. And to do it with no after-the-fact sweetening, well, now you know you've got genius on your hands.



The program is built around Bruce, his incredibly athletic bass lines and high-octane vocals carry the day. However, the show's only instrumental number, the Tony Williams composition Spirit, is the jewel here. Set smack dab in the show's center, this track takes you down in front of the stage for a visceral sense of what it was like to witness this exceptional performance. Always nice to see a kid from Glasgow do well."