For Hawkwind fans, the jury’s been out on the Nik Turner-fronted Space Ritual since this group of early ’Wind members got together. Does their combined length of service for the original cause qualify them for alternative Hawkwind, or tribute band status?Well, both, as this live DVD from a 2004 show demonstrates, Space Ritual have their own identity, but also give homage to In Search Of Space-era hawkwind: long, improvised jams, swathes of kaleidoscopic lights and Nik Turner’s otherworldly sax. They even have a Stacia-substitute in Debespace, and what she lacks in finesse is ably made up by the cool poise of Space Ritual’s regular dancer Angie Fallon. The visuals are basic but nicely filmed and the music is an entertaining mix of jazz, funk and space-rock played with gusto and verve.
Bonus interviews include Turner’s recollections of 70s Hawkwind playing under the Westway or with the Pink Fairies. Another, filmed in Glastonbury’s Avalon Field, features guitarist Thomas Crimble giving a forthright monologue on his involvement with the early Glastonbury and the festival’s continuing ethos. These are fascinating musings marred by familiar one-sided complaints about Hawkwind’s Dave Brock which, given the wealth of valuable anecdotes these guys have, is a huge shame.
