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Birth Control - Live
Pill-popping German prog has its inspired moments
A throwback to the dinosaur days when live double albums strode the earth, this 1974 offering by German jazz-rockers Birth Control packs its three side-long tracks and two shorter songs onto a single CD.
Three decades later, it stands up surprisingly well. A band usually lumped in with the second division likes of Randy Pie, Jane and Kraan keep the interest levels up, despite being a basic four-piece. The ace in the pack is Bernd Held, later to become known as producer Zeus B Held. He contributes not only keyboards, but also sax and harmonica. Yet all four band members (especially singing drummer Bernd ‘Nossi’ Noske, the ‘German Ginger Baker’) play their part. The highlight is Gamma Ray, their nearest thing to a greatest hit, while opener The Work Is Done is very reminiscent of Man back in the days when the Welsh wizards ruled the Roundhouse and all points east.
While it may take stamina to stomach at one sitting, this is a surprisingly listenable blast from the progressive past.
Repertoire | REPUK 1091
Reviewed by Michael Heatley
<< Back to Issue 336
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- ALBUM REVIEW: Backdoor Possibilities/ Sartory Live by Birth Control
