England [Rolled Gold Productions 2]
Blastitude issue 10
from: LIVING LIKE BURT REYNOLDS ON A MAC DAVIS INCOME by Tony Rettman
Before now, the only (somewhat) publicly available recording of The Babe's version of 'India' was on the highly rare 'Glastonbury Fayre' triple lp set and that was only a portion of the performance. Those of us who weren't even an itch in their daddy's pants in 1969 could only dream and wonder what those THC-fueled marathon takes on 'India' were like. Well, it looks like some patchouli-stinkin' deity has parted the skies and bestowed upon us the release of Live in the Attic, a CDR released by Michael Evans and MB drummer Roger Powell on the 'Rolled Gold' imprint. This thing features two (count 'em, two!) unearthed live versions of 'India'.
The first version is taken from a set the band played supporting Love and starts off innocently enough with some subtle flute/percussion interplay between Whiteman and Powell. Soon Stone elbows his way into the proceedings and drives Powell to pound a maniacal beat on the toms while rhythm guitarist Alan King harnesses waves of feedback to potent results. Soon enough, Whiteman finds his way back to the piano and we have liftoff. Everyone levitates a huge swelling ball of sound with fervent energy. Notes fly like shrapnel and lysergic madness prevails until Powell hits a groovin' shuffle and we're taken into the backwoods for a mountain jam of sorts. It sounds like Ian and Alan are singing about somewhere in Missouri. Although the boys are singing about a place they've never been physically, they certainly know it by feel, with Stone peeling off a shoulder-rolling lick that could of fallen from the fingers of any of your fave US players.
The second version goes on forty minutes and seems to have looser limbs than the first 'un. Not only that, but it seems to have a strangely clean recording for something that was sitting around for thirty plus years. I almost wanna accuse the boys of 'cheating' and going into the studio and adding stuff onto it, but I know they wouldn't do that...would they? This time the jam starts out modal. Powell sounds like he's playing hand drums...King holds down the mode perfectly...and Stone allows space (not like 'deep space,' I mean actual space) to be the guide on his choice of tones while Whiteman allows the music to bubble up to the surface for air with his ascending piano licks. Soon enough, everyone is warmed up and ready to go, but it seems when we get to the 'meat' of the matter, the jam goes up and down like a roller coaster full of circus animals. The midway points come off pensive. The 'high' points are chaotic and relentless and fly off the handle way more than the former jam. Towards the end, the 'midway' points are moments created to regain composure so's to dive right back into the eye of the storm. If I was in the crowd for this one and on a large amount of drugs, I think I would been taken outta The Roundhouse or wherever in a straight jacket. Cripes!
As a historical document based on the music alone, this thing obviously can't lose...BUT...taken as a whole product, I have to say I'm pretty disappointed. A meager CD-R with a printed-out cover doesn't cut it for a nerd boy like me. To think this thing could of been accompanied with liner notes by Nigel Cross or photos from Colin Hills' archives...Christ! it's enough to make a fanboy cry! It would've been the reissue of the year if I had it my way...but I didn't so I'll just shut my trap.
According to Evans, more live recordings of 'India' are being dug up and considered for release. There might also be a proper CD re-issue of the second Mighty Baby LP A Jug Of Love which was bootlegged on CD a few years back and has gone for a king's ransom for some time on the collectors' market. For now, I suggest you just pass the pipe, create your own packaging for this sucker, and let it's beauty float around your crash pad, sir.
http://www.blastitude.com/10/pg3.htm
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