"Sounds Like This" was recorded over three days in February of 1973 at
studio Dierks (Germany), the "live in the studio" intent was to give their fans
a taste of what a live Nektar show really sounded like without the overdubs and
remixes.
As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"
and a former radio disc–jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various
music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.
Nektar's third release coming after "Journey To The Centre Of The Eye"
and "A Tab In The Ocean" to this day remains the most underrated of the
original Roye Albrighton albums.
Critics called this not up to the previous LP's, when in fact they should have been
emphatically impressed with the diversity of the material and the willingness to
show off their wears in a double album!
"Good Day" The perfect opening track. It shows the bands ability to tastefully
jam around a catchy tune.
"New Day Dawning" Brings us closer to the progressive sound we loved from
the two previous efforts. Roye plays with such intensity that it can split your
head open. All of a sudden the band takes a bit of the Beatles legendary song "Norwegian
Wood (This Bird Has Flown)." It some how all comes together in a five minute
production of brilliance.
"What Ya Gonna Do" Turned out to be the song with a myriad of titles over
the years. Sometimes called "Woman Trouble", "Easy" or "Evil"
the tune pays homage to the sounds of the blues and early rock and roll. Taff's
keyboards bring us back to the 50's and Roye's six string is having fun with the
trip to yesteryear.
"1–2–3–4" Would be legendary for its on stage power.
The twelve minute studio version leaves a calling card for the all out assault of
the senses the concert audience would endure. Mo's bass is crystal clear as the
walls shake from the sheer aggression of the music.
"Do You Believe In Magic?" Delivers a tremendous combination of vocal
and musical savvy. Ron Howden's drumming is precise, intense, and often up front
in the mix.
"Cast Your Fate" Creates a painting of the highest quality. The canvass
starts with mellow moods and during a false sense of security the painting takes
a heavier view.
"A Day In The Life Of A Preacher" This became one of the most requested
Nektar tunes for their live set. The thirteen–minute studio version in all
it's splendor never prepared us for the epic live renditions. The band would click
on all cylinders and the audience left gasping for air. If the only sounds that
emanated the entire night were Roye's blowtorch guitar, you wouldn't feel cheated.
"Wings" Lets you recover from the previous aerial attack. The magic of
Nektar is their ability to take us on a musical odyssey with every path never lined
with imperfections.
"Odyssee: Rons on/Never, Never, Never/Da-Da-Dum" If ever a tune had an
appropriate name. The music is captivating taking over your body. It mixes the progressive
rock wizardry of Nektar with their rock and roll aggression. When you sprinkle on
Ron's drum solo, this one isn't leaving the CD player anytime soon!
Make sure you look for the remaster from October 17, 2005 with an entire CD of bonus
tracks!
Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "
Take Me To A Circus Tent"