There are musicians for whom “more of the same” is like a red rag to a bull, and SOFT MACHINE have always saw such a notion as a challenge, which is why, while they might perform the same pieces during any consecutive concerts, none of it ever sounded too similar to what was played before or will be played after. This is the reasoning behind the upcoming release of the Canterbury ensemble’s four-CD box set that captures the classic foursome of Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge and Robert Wyatt in full flight on their final European tour.
To be out on May 31st, “Høvikodden 1971” documents the quartet’s stint in Norway, where they found themselves on February 27th and 28th of the titular year doing two sets per evening and presenting their freshly issued “Fourth” and its entirety as well as three fourth of “Third” to flesh out the show. The recording from the second night have already seen the light of day, yet now, with improved balance between the instruments and coupled with the previous evening’s programme, the familiar material can be perceived in a different, comparative way, especially in a nice stereo preserved for posterity in a rather small venue. There’s also a vinyl edition in the cards, but that set’s price seems quite high for enjoyment.
Høvikodden 1971
CD 1 – February 27th, 1971 (1st set):
1. Facelift
2. Virtually
3. Slightly All The Time
4. Fletcher’s Blemish
CD 2 – February 27th, 1971 (2nd set):
1. Neo-Caliban Grides
2. Out-Bloody-Rageous
3. Vocal Improvisation
4. Eamonn Andrews
5. All White
6. Kings And Queens
7. Teeth
8. Pigling Bland
CD3 – February 28th, 1971 (1st set):
1. Facelift
2. Virtually
3. Slightly All The Time
4. Fletcher’s Blemish
CD4 – February 28, 1971 (2nd set):
1. Neo-Caliban Grides
2. Out-Bloody-Rageous
3. Vocal Improvisation
4. Eamonn Andrews
5. All White
6. Kings And Queens
7. Teeth
8. Pigling Bland
9. Slightly All The Time (encore)
