Tragically a recording equipment crash led to only parts of the Levellers’ land mark concert (half the set acoustic, half electric with augmentation from a string section offering new interpretations of classic songs) being available, however it is a pleasure to report that the tracks that have been salvaged are stunning.
‘Live at the Royal Albert Hall’ is a download only release (unless you join the fanclub), and features ten tracks from the concert offering highlights from the Levellers’ embarrassingly excellent past as well as tracks from the recent ‘Letters from the underground’. Including rarely played songs such as ‘Chemically free’ from the criminally underrated ‘Mouth to mouth’ album, this is a must-have for any Levellers fan and an excellent introduction for the as-yet-uninitiated.
The album opens with ‘No change’, a song that lends itself perfectly to the acoustic environment and, from the cheers and whistles that greet it, you can tell the audience agree. Mark’s voice is still a thing of wonder, perfectly in tune and still raw with emotion and the harmonies work even better when complimenting an acoustic guitar than they do in full-on punk mode. ‘Julie’ (last heard acoustic on the bonus disc to the ‘one way’ set) is another choice which fits naturally and it still sounds as good today as it did when it first appeared on their self-titled record. A haunting paean to lost youth, it is even more resonant in these troubled times and the sensitive rendition here, complete with full string section, does it full justice.
‘Together all the way’ is a pretty song that receives a rapturous response, but the first real gem (and all the songs are damn good) is ‘Before the end’ which sounds awesome here – the melody and the groove that the Levellers are easily capable of are both here and in my opinion it’s an even better version than the one on record, with all manner of elements combining to make this a stand out track. ‘Chemically free’ is perhaps the most radically altered track from its studio form. The melody remains intact, but the string section adds a new dimension which works to an extent, but in all honesty I prefer the slightly spacey guitar version far more. ‘Death loves youth’ on the over hand is the second track that surpasses the other efforts here and is simply stunning. Easily up there with classics such as ‘Men-An-Tol (which appears at the end) and ‘one way’ it is a fabulous song that contains some beautifully folky harmonies and a shimmering back-drop that compliments the vocals perfectly.
The remaining tracks are more classic Levellers with the mighty ‘Exodus’ and ‘Hope street’ getting the adrenalin pumping, ‘This garden’ giving Simon a chance to rap in his strange, yet infuriatingly catchy manner and ‘Men-an’tol’ closing the gig in a dramatic fashion. The concert is perfectly recorded and while it is tragic indeed that the rest is lost, it is lucky that we have this much as a reminder of a truly special concert. Available to download from all major on-line stores OR you can sign up to the Levellers fan club and you get the album on CD with three bonus tracks (‘Edge of the world, Another man’s cause and pale rider’) and a booklet. Whichever route you choose this is a great souvenir of a special evening. Check it out.
