Taped in Switzerland in 1991, this features mainman Tony ‘TS’ McPhee in his preferred power trio format, with drummer Mick Jones and ex-Hawkwind bassist Dave Anderson in support. It’s something of a ‘greatest hits’ set, focusing mainly on the early-70s albums that made their name, but mixing in the odd unexpected delight (Muddy Waters’ I Want You To Love Me) among the Splits, Thank Christ For The Bombs and Cherry Reds.
The guitar work is, as ever, pretty fearsome, combining power with feeling. While McPhee’s vocals have always been an acquired taste, he’s clearly enjoying himself here on what was, surprisingly, only the fourth gig of an extensive European tour. Vocal ad libs but few wasted notes make this a memorable show.
It’s a crying shame there are no informative sleevenotes to give this release a context, but the bootleg-style presentation (the stage intro is given its own track title, Greeting The Masses) is maybe fitting for what is an unvarnished blast of progressive blues that’s remained unheard for a decade-and-a-half.
