Nektar: Live In Bremen (2 CDs)

The legendary progressive rock band Nektar formed in 1969 in Hamburg, Germany. Except the band wasn’t German but English. In my formative musical years I unfortunately missed out on listening to Nektar. It wasn’t until just a few years ago I became familiar with the band’s music. In 2016, during the production of Live In Bremen, the band’s leader Roye Albrighton passed away at the age of sixty-seven. Even though he was sick at the time Albrighton showed why he was the leader of the band. His performance on this live document is superb, as is the entire band.

There are eight tracks spread over two CDs and there is not one wasted note. There are a variety of albums covered, from later works like Time Machine, Evolution and Book Of Days to the ‘70s classics beginning with the wonderful epic prog of “A Tab In The Ocean� and what a great performance it is. Huge slabs of organ, fiery guitar and complex rhythms with that catchiness the band does so well. If you are already familiar with the band you will know this song, if not, this would be a fine introduction. Absolutely classic. The next track brings the sound a few decades forward to the 2008 album Book Of Days and the tune “Doctor Kool�, an upbeat and catchy slab of melodic rock with a few proggy embellishments like some tricky rhythmic engagements and moody guitar work. Although not up there with their ‘70s classics this is still a fine song and the harmonizing vocals are quite nice. On “King Of The Deep� there is a Floydy sound, particularly the way the song flows and the lead vocals. The last track is an excerpt from the Recycled album, one of the band’s best works. The keyboards, guitars, vocals, intensity, dramatics, it’s all here for any progressive rock fan to enjoy. Just a great performance by the band.

The second disc begins with “The Dream Nebula� going all the way back to their first album Journey to the Center of the Eye. Dramatic rhythms morph into lighter moments as the song traverses the heavy and mellow sides of progressive rock. The trippy, slightly jazzy guitar work sounds great and the entire band is in for the challenge this music presents. Next are a couple tracks from A Tab In The Ocean; “Desolation Valley� and “Waves�. The former has a jazzy Floyd kind of sound with inspired guitar work while the latter is more languid and dreamy with an easy flowing psychedelic nature that again reminds me of Floyd, or perhaps it’s the other way around. The concert ends with the supremely melodic “Good Day� featuring Roye’s wonderful guitar playing.

Special thanks to the On Stage concert series and Sireena Records for getting this music out there. Listening to Live In Bremen has been a bittersweet experience but one I sincerely recommend to any fan of the band as well as to classic prog aficionados everywhere.

Track Listing:
CD 1
1. A Tab In The Ocean
2. Band Introduction
3. Doctor Kool
a. King Of The Deep
b. Recycled (excerpt)

CD 2
1. The Dream Nebula (Part 1 + 2)
a. Desolation Valley
b. Waves
2. Time Machine
3. Now
4. Cast Your Fate
a. The Debate
b. Man On The Moon
5. Good Day

Added: July 14th 2019
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 1114
Language: english

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