Live in Keele 1977

Live in Keele 1977 can be seen as a sort of companion to the previous Can archival release, Live in Aston 1977. Both date from the same tour, during the period when former Traffic member Rosko Gee was the groups bassist, and the oft-misunderstood Afro-Latin funk excursion Saw Delight was released. Like the other releases in the Can archival live series, the tracks are presented as numerically titled jams, though actual set lists for these concerts have circulated, and similar to other volumes in the series, the album doesnt include the entire concert. "Fizz," which appeared on Music (Live 1971-1977) and was listed as dating from this show, is absent, though a recording of the piece was present on Live in Aston 1977. What this release does include is 75 minutes of free-form live energy performed by the bands four main members, plus Gee. The first track is a ten-minute funk-rock jam with plenty of wah-wah guitar and exuberant keyboard riffs, plus the occasional strange noises and voices supplied by Holger Czukay, who was no longer playing bass for the group. "Zwei" begins with a spoken introduction and mysterious hellos, followed by an extended period of shadowy, suspenseful organ. The full band gradually work their way up to a fractured yet heavy groove, and they continue accelerating and going further; by the end, its absolutely dazzling. The group continue at a comfortably high velocity, delivering some blazing solos and sporadically interjecting more voices, possibly from Czukays electronics, though its hard to tell. The audience even gets in on the fun, clapping and cheering along during "Vier," which has an especially strong lead guitar, as well as haunting keyboards. The final track lasts for nearly half an hour, and it progresses from intense polyrhythms and commanding guitar to a more hypercharged, elevated state. The band were clearly feeling some sort of supernatural force by the end. Live in Keele 1977 is one of the better entries in the Can live series, proving that their on-stage power was still in full effect, even as they were approaching the end of their run. ~ Paul Simpson