Recorded on September 8, 1974, this set features
Robert Wyatt (post-accident) with a slew of mates, including
Ivor Cutler! Introduced by
John Peel and recorded by the BBC -- only a little over half the concert survives -- this is a wild, freewheeling document featuring
Wyatt,
Cutler, and
Julie Tippetts on vocals;
Dave Stewart and
Tippetts on keyboards; alternate drummers
Nick Mason and
Laurie Allan;
Hugh Hopper on bass;
Fred Frith on guitar, violin, and viola; the late
Mongezi Feza on trumpet; the late great
Gary Windo on reeds; and guitarist
Mike Oldfield. It's quite a lineup and an awesomely inspiring performance.
Wyatt is in excellent form here, and the bandmembers, who are a bit ragged in places, are nonetheless tight and full of fire. From "Dedicated to You But You Weren't Listening" and "Memories" to "Alfie," "Instant Pussy," "Mind of a Child," and "Little Red Robin Hood Hit the Road," this set is alternately an early tribute recording to
Wyatt and a fine get-together of friends from the Canterbury scene. Sonically, the recording is very present, though a bit overloaded in places, but the music more than compensates for this. All
Wyatt fans will need this, as it is as close to an essential document of 1970s experimental/prog as one is likely to find. ~ Thom Jurek