Live - Live (Reissue) (1974/2006)

Formed in 1971, and a strangely named band indeed. In October 1972 their guitarist Martin Knaden went to Curly Curve. Throughout their history only one member has remained, the multi-talented keyboards and flute player Norbert Aufmhof.

Although in existence for a decade Live never got to record a proper studio album, or gain a contract, which surely they should have. Maybe the band name was a bit of a jinx?. Their earlier history was originally just documented by a single.

Only more recently did an LP surface collecting 1974 recordings. Quite obviously a collection of rehearsal session tapes, the LP reveals a band with promise albeit rather grottily recorded with often barely understandable muffled lyrics in English.

Musically, there are nods to early Satin Whale and Jane, but with lots of classical touches, notably Grieg and Bach, and a penchant to meander rather nicely during the instrumentals.

Based on the Rock Offers track "Sea Fever", they had blossomed and changed focus somewhat, as a much more sophisticated symphonic progressive of the Pancake and Jane type, typical of the mid/late-1970's. In all, during their history, three different versions of Live existed, but eventually the band split in 1976.

A full history of the band is included in the Gevelsberg CD, which documents other oddments, sessions, and a live recording. - The Crack In The Cosmic Egg By Steven Freeman & Alan Freeman.