Amid all the copyright and legal confusion, let’s just say (to sort of quote the Bible): Give onto the New Nektar (with Megalomania) what was is theirs; but then listen to the “other side,” because Live at the Wildey Theatre is the tap root that touches the original talents of Mick Brockett, Derek “Mo” Moore, and Ron Howden.
But first things first: The original Nektar defied expectations. Perhaps, this is the gin-and-tonic of true progressive rock music. Journey to the Centre of the Eye is a psych fest from an English band on the wonderful German Bacillus label. But … Sounds Like This (a personal favorite!) gets rough and hard rock live in the studio.
Remember the Future, the one with the story about an extraterrestrial, a bluebird, and a sensitive blind kid (not to be confused with Tommy, who is, indeed blind, but also deaf and dumb!) was the big American seller that, perhaps, touches the sound of Pink Floyd. Down to Earth contains short songs with a circus concept. And then Recycled adds (the great) Larry Fast to create a keyboard and complex winning progressive (with wondrous vocals) rock ’n’ roll poker hand that oozes with synth delight.
Last year’s The Other Side re-ignited the Nektar sound. The first tune, “I’m On Fire” was originally written in 1978 and rocks with might of the in-studio live … Sounds Like This. “Skywriter,” too, resurrects an old song and floats (with Floyd-like drama), recalling the space rock of Remember the Future. “Devil’s Door” actually uses the original 1974 guitar intro from the sadly missed Roye Albrighton.
Sometimes, things like that are just really cool. And the lengthy ‘Love Is” is new, pretty great, and very Nektar. In the notes to the album, Mick and Mo say: “We believe that we have found all the essential elements of the Nektar concept to produce an album.” They hit very close to the dartboard bullseye with that comment. By the way, new Nektar member Ryche Chlanda was also part of (the very great band) Fireballet (who had that really awful Two, Too cover which was, thankfully changed for the Inner Knot Records compact-disc release!).
Now, to Live at the Wildey Theatre. First(!), skip the belabored introduction and fast forward to the second track. In truth, this is not for a novice Nektar listener. It’s a very rough recording from the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois (a stone’s throw to the mentioned St Louis) on March 5, 2020.
There’s a huge bass sound, and keyboards hover in noisy air. It’s a thick and very human vibe. Some bits vibrate; others muffle in discontent. But truthfully, is has the sound of a pretty decent bootleg recording from 1973 on one of those labels like Big Thumb Records. That’s not a terrible thing.
For example, as a passionate fan, I prize Peter Gabriel’s Live at the Roxy 4/9/77. And, as a big Nektar fan, this is possibly (what with coronavirus and all) the only chance to hear this configuration of the band live. But it is warts and all — including mumbled (sometimes obnoxious) audience comments audible through the recording.
My friend, Jazz Guy (aka Mr. Radue), an ardent Nektar fan who possesses Live Anthology 1974-1976 and the Remember the Future 3D Graphics Deluxe Box Set, was disappointed with the raw sound. He suggested getting the DVD, which incorporates Mick Brockett’s light show and band interaction. Trust me: Jazz Guy is always right.
But the very live applause always loves the band. And the few spoken song introductions again catch the ambience of the evening of a live band playing great music that is a joy to hear once more. (When will we be blessed with such concerts again?) But, just as a reference, the sound is not as clear as the live Sunday Night at London Roundhouse.
That said, as a fan, Live at the Wildey Theatre is an interesting spin. It’s a mixture of old and new: There’s a 15-minute slab of “Tab in the Ocean,” a slice of “Dream Nebula” (including “All in the Mind” and “Driftin’”) “Remember the Future Pt. 1″ and “Parts 2-3” (with “It’s All Over” sandwiched betwixt), and “Fidgety Queen.” (But sadly, no “Astral Man”!)
So, yeah, this Nektar is as real a deal for which we aging fans can hope. Sound aside, they do justice to the band’s progressive-rock street credentials. Still, to be frank, yeah, Roye is dearly missed.
They play new stuff, too. The lengthy “Love Is/The Other Side” gets its grooved space. “The Light Behind” is the first track. The before-mentioned “Devil’s Door” absolutely rocks with Emerson Lake and Palmer voltage, and “Skywriter” sings a melodic tune. And the before-mentioned rather direct “I’m on Fire” (sort of) characterizes this band.
It all ends with “Good Day,” from that glorious live in the studio … Sounds Like This. This Nektar is still very much alive, very well, and still a band who can conjure the magic of those progressive ’70s that combusted the varied strands of soul, folk, rock, the odd story of a blind kid and an alien bluebird, Nellie the Elephant – and anything else that could fit into the lifeboat of rock music.
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