Soft Machine/UK 2018

SOFT MACHINE has announced their retirement from John Marshall and Roy Babbington and is currently on their final “50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR.” As their latest report, a superb live album in which Brian Hopper also participated is now available. Their last performance in Japan in July of this year is still fresh in their minds, but since then they have released their new work “HIDDEN DETAILS”, their first in five years (and their first under the SOFT MACHINE name in 37 years). The tour spread all over the world. Under such circumstances, this work was recorded at “Lewis performance on November 18, 2018”. First of all, in order to confirm their last steps, let’s check the show’s position from the entire world tour. ●2018《“HIDDEN DETAILS” completed on May 10th》・July 7th + 8th: North America #1 (2 performances)・July 28th-31st: Japan (6 performances)《“HIDDEN on August 15th”・September 6th-19th: Europe #1 (10 performances) ・October 6th-23rd: North America #2 (14 performances) ・November 3rd-22nd: UK (9 performances) ←★Coco★ ・December 15th + 16th: Europe #2 (2 performances) ●January 21st – February 4th, 2019: North America #3 (9 performances) This is the 2018/2019 schedule that has been announced so far. I don’t know if next year’s “February 4th” will be the last show, but the progress is definitely towards the end. Among them, the Lewis performance of this work is the 7th performance of the “UK” tour. This work that recorded such a show is truly the best audience recording. This is by “EBR” who has produced countless classic rock masterpieces, and while the extremely thick core is close at hand, the delicate details are also close at hand. The glossy and smooth sound is exquisite, and the stability with no vibration or chatter is also wonderful. That’s no wonder, as the venue is a small, small club with about 150 people. In reality, the distance between the audience and the band was about two flights of stairs, so there was no way the audience coming to see SOFT MACHINE would make a fuss. Although it is not physically online, the quality itself is a super superb sound that is no different from a sound board. What is depicted with that sound is a show that revives the Japanese performance that was like the real version of “HIDDEN DETAILS”. The core of the set is clearly the songs from “HIDDEN DETAILS,” which were also performed in Japan: “Hidden Details,” “The Man Who Waved At Trains,” “Out-Bloody-Rageous,” and “Heart Off Guard/Broken.” Hill” and “14 Hour Dream,” as well as “Life On Bridges.” On the other hand, if you look at it differently, it can also be seen as a culmination. “The Man Who Waved At Trains” and “Out-Bloody-Rageous” were re-recorded songs from the 70s, as well as “Kings And Queens” from “FOURTH”, “Gesolreut” from “SIX”, and “SOFTS”. ’s “Tales Of Taliesin” is also interspersed. “Hazzard Profile Pt. 1” also appears in “The Relegation Of Pluto” medley. And the performance is also wonderful. John Etheridge’s fast alternate picking and bright arpeggios are wonderful, as is his weeping guitar, and Theo Travis mesmerizes with his intense saxophone blows and floating flute. And Babington, who announced his retirement, continued to repeat rich phrases with a thick sound, and Marshall showed off a variety of drum solos in the 13-minute “The Relegation Of Pluto” medley. Considering his actual age, which is in his late 70s, it seems inevitable that he will retire, but his strong rhythm is truly admirable. Such a mature ensemble is reminiscent of the Japanese performance, but what makes this work even more special is guest Brian Hopper. It has been 49 years since he performed under the SOFT MACHINE name since 1969’s VOLUME TWO. Although there is only one song, “Kings And Queens,” you can listen to plenty of truly delicious saxophone solos. SOFT MACHINE is taking the final steps step by step, one performance at a time. It is not only the best live album, but also a masterpiece that you can enjoy with the participation of Brian Hopper, who brings back the origins. This may be the last SOFT MACHINE masterpiece. The Con Club, Lewes, East Sussex, UK 18th November 2018 TRULY PERFECT SOUND Disc 1(48:25) 1. Intro 2. Hidden Details 3. The Man Who Waved At Trains 4. Member Introductions 5. Life On Bridges 6. MC 7. Tales Of Taliesin 8. Heart Off Guard / Broken Hill 9. MC 10. Gesolreut Disc 2(42:53) 1. Intro 2. Out-Bloody-Rageous 3. Introduction of Brian Hopper 4. Kings And Queens (with Brian Hopper on Saxophone) 5. MC 6. The Relegation Of Pluto / Tarabus / Drums / Sideburn / Hazzard Profile Pt. 1 7. Encore 8. MC 9. 14 Hour Dream 10. Outro John Etheridge – Guitar Roy Babbington – Bass John Marshall – Drums Theo Travis – Woodwind and Keyboards