Named after a novel by William Burroughs, the legendary Soft Machine was one of the very first groups to bring together jazz and progressive/psychedelic rock, fusing these into a single, creative style. In 1974, the group added the now-legendary guitarist Allan Holdsworth to the line-up and headed for the well known Montreux Jazz Festival. Now, for the first time ever, these audio and video recordings have been licensed and the entire performance is issued in this CD/DVD set, which features the earliest performance footage of Allan Holdsworth on the marketplace.
W**B
Some good some not good
I am a fan of Soft Machine (all lineups) and Holdsworth so I bought this 60-minute live CD/DVD that took place four decades ago in 1974. As with any live recording there will be mistakes and audio glitches and there are several on this disc. During "The Man Who Waved at Trains" and "Peff" the keyboards are distorting so bad that at times they are eliminated completely from the mix, and the stereo mix collapses to right side for a bit...until it's fixed. But I guess that can be overlooked because the Marshall/Babbington rhythm section is on fire during "Peff". Just amazing! The other songs that really stand out for me are "Bundles", "Land of the Bag Snake", and of course "Hazard Profile" with some tasty extended Holdsworth soloing on his custom white SG with Minnie Mouse sticker on the pickguard. Can't make out the other sticker but my guess is it's another Disney character. The video is what it is, nothing spectacular, but this could be the only footage of this lineup.There is a lot of great music here but there also is stuff I don't care for. "The Floating World" is very repetitive and would be tolerable for 2 minutes, or as an intro, but it drones on for over 5 minutes. Allan sings "ahhs" on this tune and looks very uncomfortable doing it. There is a bass solo "Ealing Comedy" and drum solo "LBO", both last about 5 minutes, they are OK but I would have rather heard a guitar solo. "Joint" is a synth/drum experimental piece based around beeps and noises rather than melody - not my thing.Overall, some of this is really good and some not so good and I don't regret this purchase, but I don't think it is something I will listen to or view a lot. It would have been cool if they put some bonus features like band member interviews on the DVD, but I'm sure most fans will enjoy this release as it is.
A**R
Soft Machine live / Switzerland " 74
the cd I received gets a frozen image and no sound at around the 31 st/min. or so and I have to skip ahead for about 5 min ........it happens right in the middle of Allen's gtr. solo , terrible !!!!!!! why is that ? am I just unlucky with this purchase / have others experienced the same thing ? anyway , the band deserves 5 Stars , but for the price payed , another 10/15 min of live /TV performance could have been added as a bonus and that would have been greatly appreciated , too bad though !
D**W
Cuneiform does it again
One of my favorite lineups of the ever-changing Soft Machine. If you're a Bundles-era fan, a Holdsworth enthusiast, or just interested in the band in general, this is a great package. The band meshes some relatively tame exploratory works with some of the most tightly-composed pieces that they'd created to that point in this televised set. The DVD is a simple, no-frills transfer with fine stereo sound - If you've seen these videos online or in trading circles, you'll notice a brighter presentation and improved synchronization. The CD is a great addition and the full package by Cuneiform doesn't disappoint.
J**N
A beautiful conflict plays out.
A beautiful conflict plays out.. You get an amazing DVD of the concert with this cd. Incredible. Allan Holdsworth on an SG. Ratledge only remaining original member he was real important and doesn't disappoint.. Drummer & other keyboardist incredible. Bass solo incredible. You get your money's worth with this one. The Floating World John Marshall on Xylophone.a meditation. Why wouldn't you buy this??
L**L
Soft Machine in the Raw
Excellent live material and pretty clear document of this performance on DVD. If you love Soft Machine you must own this.
J**Y
"Another Great DVD For Fans Of SOFT MACHINE (and Alan Holdsworth)......"
Fans of UK jazz-rock innovators SOFT MACHINE now have four DVDs available to view four different iterations of the group. First there was SOFT MACHINE: LIVE IN PARIS 1970 that documented the MARK V lineup of the group (see below) at the Theatre de la Musique, March 2, 1970, then we had GRIDES which featured a DVD of the four-man MARK VI performing on "Beat Club," filmed at Radio Bremen's studios on March 23, 1971, and lastly the MARK X configuration performing at the NDR JAZZ WORKSHOP, Hamburg, Germany, May 17, 1973 (with special guests including ISOTOPE guitarist Gary Boyle). Now we have the fourth DVD that has fans of the band AND fans of Alan Holdsworth salivating. The DVD was filmed at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 4, 1974, only a few days after the release of their ninth studio album, BUNDLES . The MARK XI group perform ten of the album's twelve tracks, and as hoped, are on fire. In the liner notes the producers go to great lengths to explain the condition of the tapes they had to work with but believe me, you'll be more than satisfied. Here's a little partial SOFT MACHINE discography (with links to some recommendations) for those interested in exploring further......SOFT MACHINE: The Recording Groups(Note: Some older releases may not be mentioned because their material was reissued in better fidelity on another differently titled release. -JM)MARK IMike Ratledge - keyboardsRobert Wyatt - drums, vocalsKevin Ayers - bass, vocalsDaevid Allen - guitaralbum:JET-PROPELLED PHOTOGRAPHSMARK IIMike Ratledge - keyboardsRobert Wyatt - drums, vocalsKevin Ayers - bass, vocalsalbum: THE SOFT MACHINE BBC RADIO 1967-1971 MIDDLE EARTH MASTERSMARK IIIdelete: Ayersadd: Hugh Hopper - bassalbums:VOLUME TWOLIVE AT THE PARADISO 1968BBC RADIO 1967-1971MARK IVadd:Elton Dean - sax, saxello, electric pianoLyn Dobson - sax & fluteNick Evans - tromboneMark Charig - coronetalbums:BACKWARDS THIRD (2CD Version) (2nd disc contains LIVE AT THE PROMS 1970)BBC RADIO 1967-1971MARK Vdelete: Evans & Charigalbum:LIVE AT THE PROMS 1970NOISETTEBBC RADIO 1967-1971MARK VIdelete: Dobsonalbums:GRIDESFOURTHHEAVY FRIENDS IN CONCERT 1971VIRTUALLYMARK VIIdelete: Wyattadd:Phil Howard - drumsalbums:DROPFIFTH BBC RADIO 1971-1974 MARK VIIIdelete: Howardadd:John Marshall - drumsalbums:FIFTHLIVE IN FRANCEBBC RADIO 1971-1974MARK IXdelete: Deanadd:Karl Jenkins - piano, saxalbums:SOFTSTAGE: BBC IN CONCERT 1972SIXBBC RADIO 1971-1974MARK Xdelete: Hopperadd: Roy Babbington - bassalbums:SEVENNDR JAZZ WORKSHOPBBC RADIO 1971-1974MARK XIadd:Alan Holdsworth - guitaralbums:BUNDLESBBC RADIO 1971-1974 FLOATING WORLD LIVE MARK XIIdelete: Holdsworthadd:John Ethridge -guitaralbum:BRITISH TOUR '75MARK XIIIdelete: Ratledgeadd:Alan Wakeman - saxalbum:SOFTSMARK XIVdelete: Babbington & Wakemanadd:Ric Sanders - violinSteve Cook - bassalbum: ALIVE & WELL: RECORDED IN PARIS MARK XVdelete: Saunders & Cookadd: a variety of guests (including Holdsworth and Jack Bruce) and a string sectionalbum:LAND OF COCKAYNE
E**
Quelle claque !
Je tiens à m'associer au précédent commentaire sur ce disque et dvd.Le dvd est un pur régal, voir ses magnifiques musiciens faire ce qu'il savent faire c'est à dire se faire plaisir tout en rendant ce même plaisir aux auditeurs, bien sûr les images sont époques mais franchement j'ai vu pire, la je dirais que les images sont belles et propres, le son lui est magnifique, je regarde en ce moment ce concert mémorable de Montreux 1974 sur un grand écran et sur Cabasse, je prends vraiment mon pied. depuis mon adolescence j'écoute Soft Machine sous toute ses formules, et jamais j'ai eu la possibilité de les voirs, c'est maintenant chose faite. Amoureux de Soft Machine, jetez vous sur ce cd/dvd, il est sur que vous allez me remercier.
I**O
El haberlo podido conseguir!
Suena bien para ser un directo del 74,y aparte lleva el DVD del concierto, para mi de lo mejor de sof machine en la etapa mas he eléctrica, sobre todo porque está allan holdsworth!
K**N
Soft Machine Live at Montreux 1974
This is an excellent live recording from this band, the DVD in particular is outstanding, especially as it features one of Soft Machine's great lineups and for it to feature the great guitar skills of Allan Holdsworth is an added bonus! Received in good quality packaging and received in good time too. Highly recommend this seller and the product too. Very satisfied customer.Peter Eaton.
R**B
BELLISSIMO CONCERTO
CONCERTO DEL 4/LUGLIO/1974 A MONTREUX .... GIà LA FORMAZIONE CON ALLAN HOLDSWORTH è INTERESSANTE DA ASCOLTARE LIVE E QUINDI IL CD è OTTIMO ... MA LE 5 STELLE SONO PER IL PACCHETTO CD+DVD ... RIVEDERE QUESTI IMMENSI MUSICISTI DOPO TANTI ANNI è GIOIA PER OCCHI E ORECCHIE ... LE IMMAGINI OVVIAMENTE NON SONO PERFETTE MA SONO BUONE VISTI GLI ANNI E IL SUONO NON è NIENTE MALE DAVVERO ... PER FANS ACQUISTO OBBLIGATO E ANCHE PER CHI AMA I VIRTUOSI ;-)
M**S
superb
I have every Soft Machine CD that has been produced - I hope - and this is a good one. My favourite period is the Third era but the performance here is a good one. Sleeve notes very good also.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
2 days ago
