On this day, 45 years ago, Roxy Music members Phil Manzanera and Brian Eno, along with drummer extraordinaire Simon Phillips, bassist Bill MacCormack, and keyboardist Francis Monkman convened in London as 801 and played an historic live concert at Queen Elizabeth Hall, the last of only three live performances. It was recorded and released two months later. And if you could believe it, it was played on the radio!
I can still visualize the when and where, when I was first blown away, not knowing what the hell I was listening to. I recognized the song and the voice, as Manzanera's solo album "Diamond Head" was a recent favorite. I was in my bedroom, my Pioneer-424 receiver tuned into Scott Muni's "Things From England," when a live version of Manzanera's "Miss Shapiro" came through my Bose 301's. If that wasn't shock enough, the song morphed into a perfectly weird Eno-esque version of "You Really Got Me."
I tortured my local record shops for a week until the U.K. pressing of "801 Live" finally arrived.
The record opens with Manzanera's "Lagrima" and segues into one of the greatest covers of a Beatles tune ever committed to tape, "Tomorrow Never Knows," or "T.N.K.," as it is listed on the cover. The arrangement, musicianship and that damn funky intro, still knock my socks off.
When the album got remastered for CD in 1999, a few bonus tracks from the concert were added, including Eno's "Golden Hours" from his classic "Another Green World." I've included that track here, as well. Simon Phillips takes it to new heights.
45 years later, it remains one of my ten favorite live records. At the time, it
was unique and unexpected, and 45 years later, it still feels fresh. I still question whether
the performance actually took place or whether it was recorded in the studio with audience sounds added later. It's too perfect and precise. Exquisite. These are things not usually associated with live albums, then or ever.
7 comments:
WOW!
Exquisite album and probably the best cover of TNK. So good. Purchased it when it was first issued and did not know that it was remastered! It's now on top of my list to acquire. Sal, thanks for that bit of information.
Yes. Beats the heck out of June 1st.
Very good Live record!
Cool! I'll check it out. A very cool way to celebrate the lucky 13th anniversary of Burning Wood, born this day (Sept 3) in 2008! Long may it...burn?
I was in a record store when I heard "TNK" blast out of the store's speakers. Like you, I said to myself "what am I listening to?". Starting with that day, I made it a mission to find the record. I finally found it "online". I was amazed at the performance, and because I wasn't familiar with Manzanera's solo output, ot Eno at all, it led me to listen to their music as well. I still listen to the record now and then, and count it as one of my favorite live pieces as well, even though I have my doubts it's live, too.
I always had my doubts about this being a true live album. Listen to "You Really Got Me". That sure sounds like Eno doing all three harmony parts. Also, I was suspect about how the audience sounds suddenly emerge at the end of the same song. It sounds a little too studio manipulated. Despite that, it is still a great freakin' record.
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