Recorded live on April 21 and 22, 1987 at CBGB's in New York, this is much more than a live best-of album by the "other" star to emerge from
Television.
Richard Lloyd has always stood -- undeservedly -- in the shadow of
Tom Verlaine, sort of a
Gene Clark to
Verlaine's
Roger McGuinn, and for reasons difficult to fathom, his solo career has never taken off.
Lloyd's and
David Leonard's guitar playing is in absolutely top form here, and his voice makes a fine instrument, at least on-stage, whether he's covering an old
Thirteenth Floor Elevators number like "Fire Engine" or his own "Alchemy." Highlights include the killer ten-minute "Field of Fire" (on which the two guitarists more or less rip the envelope with their extended duet jam); the vocal and lyrical showcase "Pleading" makes for a perfect follow-up number and for a fine presentation of
Lloyd's singing (as well as the crunchy, twisting post-folk-rock guitar that he helped perfect in
Television). The sound is excellent throughout.