Theatre Royal Drury Lane 8th September 1974

RELEASE
2005
LABEL
Domino
GENRES
Pop/Rock, Art Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock

Album Review

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, Rovi

Track Listing

  1. Introduction by John Peel
  2. Dedicated to You But You Weren't Listening
  3. Memories
  4. Sea Song
  5. A Last Straw
  6. Little Red Riding Hood Hit the Road
  7. Alife
  8. Alifib
  9. Mind of a Child
  10. Instant Pussy
  11. Signed Curtain
  12. Calyx
  13. Little Red Robin Hood Hit the Road
  14. I'm a Believer