Will likely satisfy fans of the now defunct Splinter Group
loce_the_wizard | Lilburn, GA USA | 03/24/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The legacy of any band should in part be tempered by its live recordings. Though we are fortunate to this two-CD collection "Soho Live at Ronnie Scotts" by the Peter Green Splinter Group, the session does little to enhance the band's legacy nor does it undermine the studio work.
The clear, crisp recording is a decided plus for this session. You can clearly hear a guitar string scrape or bend, the brightness of the cymbals, the chugging organ, or the multipart harmonies on tracks such as Last Fair Deal Gone Down with splendid clarity.
The first disc, the better of the two, is more up tempo and engaging. Even Black Magic Woman sounds fresh and jaunty while Albatross takes its time and can, if one's imagination rambles, conjure up the image of a long sea journey via the giant bird. The band sounds engaged, tight, and efficient.
The second disc proves a bit of a letdown. It's hard to know what to make of some of the Robert Johnson covers-a couple thrown in would be enough, but five in a row tend to kill the pace and energy of the live show. A less than stellar recounting of Green Manalishi is followed by a too long Goin' Down, which is capped off by an irritating minute of nothing but audience applause and response.
The vocals throughout are at times frail, which in some cases melds with the content, but in other spots, the vocal, whether from Peter Green or Nigel Watson, seem to falter. Both Green and Watson have several bright moments on guitar. The bass seems boomy at times, and one wonders if Neil Murray has already lost interest in the band (he left following this CD). Keyboardist Roger Cotton keeps matters interesting throughout, and drummer Larry Tolfree sparkles. Together, they keep things smoldering on Shake Your Hips.
To recap, "Soho Live" will likely satisfy fans of the now defunct Splinter Group but is perhaps not the best entry point in the band's catalog.
"
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1