Live I & II

This two-CD set presents live recordings taken from a series of four concerts held in June 1993. It captures the magic, instability, and volatility of a performance by Psí Vojáci. The producers went for the total immersion experience: While the sound quality is excellent, listeners also hear the audience — both the attentive fans who shout their appreciation between songs and the inattentive barflies. You are there, in a small club in Prague or Brno, Czech Republic, listening to Topol singing his stories, dismissing requests with a smile, and addressing the audience in a shy and unassertive way so similar to Peter Hammill that it becomes eerie. He is accompanied by longtime sidemen David Skála (drums), Jirí Jelínek (alto saxophone), and Jan Hazuka (bass). The repertoire covers all eras of the band up to that point, with a particular focus on the late '80s. The musicians are in top shape, especially Jelínek, who squonks and screams wildly in more than a few tracks. Highlights abound and will vary from one fan to another, but "Muz Na Chodníku II" (The Man Standing on the Pavement II) and "Allegro" impose themselves. This set is a real fan-pleaser and includes a special treat for the group's growing international audience: The booklet contains English translations of all the songs, including "Bajka" (Fable). That makes Live I & II a very good place for newcomers to start. Highly recommended. ~ François Couture, Rovi