A game of two halves this, and the first is by far the more impressive. Recorded in June 1976 at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, it actually comes two months after the second set, laid down for the Old Grey Whistle Test. The latter features Wakeman’s septet, led by ex- Warhorse singer Ashley Holt, running through then-current tunes such as the opening 12- minute Recollection. But the audio quality is less than perfect and the brass section less impressive than after a couple of months on the road. Music – The Realisation sees that section on deranged form, before a frantic Sir Lancelot & The Black Knight, though the superfast keys of Catherine Parr always shine. Prisoner has some hideous monastic chanting, before a clattering Merlin closes the seven-song set.
The nine-track sequel (worth four stars alone) works better both in terms of sound quality and musicianship. Highlights include the funky tabla and synths of opener Music Reincarnate and strains of both Led Zeppelin and Monty Python in Catherine Howard. The Forest mixes Prokofiev with porn funk, and Merlin drops the curtain for some overly long closing applause.
