Surprised there's not already a thread started for Soft Machine's 2019 tour, but I guess that's because it's mainly a west coast and cruise tour.
I'm also probably not the best person to report on the show last night at Freight & Salvage in Bezerkeley because I have a lot of catching up to do in terms of the recent and mid-70s discography, which most of the set was understandably drawn from. The oldest track was "Out-Bloody-Rageous", but they covered a huge swath of the band's history. Here's a setlist:
- Burden of Proof
- Hidden Details
- The Man Who Waved at Trains
- Life on Bridges
- The Tale of Taliesin
- Heart Off Guard
- Broken Hill
- Fourteen Hour Dream
- Out-Bloody-Rageous
- Kings and Queens
- The Relegation of Pluto Medley
- Chloe and the Pirates
John Etheridge provided humorous MC duties, although he seemed to be fighting a cold. Fortunately it didn't seem to affect his playing. And for a couple of almost-octogenarians, John Marshall and Roy Babbington played like champs. Marshall even took an impressive solo. Rounding out the lineup, Theo Travis was his usual impressive self on saxes and flutes and occasional keyboards. Etheridge offered a nicely complimentary introduction of Theo as someone who had the chops, but who was also sensitive to the left-of-center brand of fusion SM is known for.
My girlfriend asked me how I enjoyed the show and I responded that they must have won me over because I now plan on doing some CD shopping!
Oh, and special mention to opening trio The Levin Brothers. Their set ranged from cocktail lounge piano trio jazz to a near faithful cover of KC's "Sleepless". They played more covers than I would have liked, but I think they were catering to a prog-leaning audience.
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