Nektar - new album

[Glassback]

Guess what the postman's just delivered?

Back in a couple of hours.

Thats the dvd rite?,,

rite.

Was that recorded at NearFest?

yup - Patriot Theatre, New Jersey for Nearfest 2002.

Did you get it at their site,,how much?

No, I got it through amazon.com - I think it was $18.

Sorry 1 more question,,is Evolution going to be released on cd or album?
I gotta get my hands on both of these....

Vinyl I couldn't tell you - but CD yeah. Comes out on 4th October.
Picadilly Records in Manchester won't pre-order it so I'm gonna try HMV.
I'm gonna be battering down the doors on that day.

[seamonkey]

Thanks everso for the heads-up there, seamonkey.

That was 90 minutes of sheer bliss.
You're right - Roye's voice has lost nothing - in fact all of them are just spot on still.
And yes, if you shut your eyes, it's the original Nektar.
Awesome live versions of some of their bestest trax - surprisingly, the low point for me was Recycled.
Great that they played the whole suite (I mean all of side 1) but when it started, it seemed to be a bit weak... lacking something.
But it was only that vocal part - the same when it returns a short while later. They just seemed to have lost it for a few minutes. The rest of the suite was fantabulous though.
Maybe I just had unreasonably high expectations for this track since it's absolutely my fave Nektar album / track / cover.

In any case - WOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!

AND - you get the original King Of Twilight as a bonus track.



But did you notice how Mo Moore looked remarkably like Edgar Froese these days?

WOW, Yippee, I'm so glad you got it.
This is very cosmic since I was going to pm you last night to see if you had received it yet.

I'm so happy you are happy with it, yes, I agree with you regarding Recycled.I fully expected Larry Fast to go balls to the wall with some synth parts instead of low key behind his Kurzweil.

I can hear and see them doing Fidgety Queen in my head as I write this.

Listened to the entire "Down to Earth" cd last weekend and I had forgotten how many good songs there are on it, "That's Life", "Show me the way", "Nelly the Elephant", great stuff.

Yes, Mo does indeed bear a striking resemblence to Edgar, except I think I saw him smile once. :lol

Watch carefully next time, the competition thing between the two backup singers is quite humorous.
Thanks for the thanks.

[whiteaxxxe]

wow. must have I think. I have seen Nektar a few times live when I was young. and if it's only a reminescence ... I think I must have it.

[vtx]

Did you get it at their site,,how much?

No, I got it through amazon.com - I think it was $18.

Its gonna cost me $40 so I hope it doesn't ruin my memories of them..
I seen them 3 times many moons ago with the full compliment of performance and lights,,awesome.
Some reviews weren't as forgiving as yours glassback--Royes voice
-hidden perc sound and backup singers
-blanked out liteshow at points because of copyright
-some silly things in the video,,some woman,,bikes,,elephants
-synching problems

But I'm trusting you glassback and gonna order it anyway...

[Glassback]

Did you get it at their site,,how much?

No, I got it through amazon.com - I think it was $18.

Its gonna cost me $40 so I hope it doesn't ruin my memories of them..

Why so expensive? Hope you've not ordered it - here's a clicky link for you:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/searc ... 07-8826443
Buy new for $21.58, but if you look around amazon, you might find it cheaper. I did.

I seen them 3 times many moons ago with the full compliment of performance and lights,,awesome.
Some reviews weren't as forgiving as yours glassback--Royes voice

...is just as good as it ever was - except on "It's All Over Now" where he struggled a bit and dropped down a couple of keys. Didn't sound right, but we're talking a couple of seconds here out of 90 minutes.

-hidden perc sound and backup singers

second percussion player is fuckin brilliant , the backing singers often get a bit lost behind the music - they could have been a bit louder and clearer.

-blanked out liteshow at points because of copyright

Didn't really notice, it must be well edited

-some silly things in the video,,some woman,,bikes,,elephants
-synching problems

Yeah, there's some old footage interspersed with the new concert. I thought it was cool. But, erm, yeah, I guess the synching thing would be where they mix the new King Of Twilight with old performance footage and it doesn't quite match in places. There's 20 years difference between the two. Sometimes I wonder what people want. Who wrote these reviews anyway man?
I think the woman you mean is the one in the bonus features, interviewing people going into / coming out from the gig. She was a bit much of a muchness imo, but hey! how many times will I be watching that bit?

But I'm trusting you glassback and gonna order it anyway...

Shit - I hope you're not disappointed.
I can only give you my opinion on it - which is 95% good.
But then, I love Nektar and have for a long time.
OK, they don't look like Rock n Rollers anymore, but time passes for everyone you know?
And they can sure play their instruments still.
And Royes voice does still sound very distinctive.
Anyway, if you don't like the dvd, blame seamonkey - he told me about in the first place, so it's all his fault!

{EDIT} That clicky link may not work, so just try this one:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/br ... 07-8826443
and type Nektar in the search box - it'll take you to the page the other should have. {/EDIT}

[Glassback]

wow. must have I think. I have seen Nektar a few times live when I was young. and if it's only a reminescence ... I think I must have it.

If you're into Nektar, it's a must-have.
But see above.

[seamonkey]

I think the reviews you are referring to were written by users at the amazon.com site.
When you click on the Nektar item if you scroll down you can read reviews by people who have seen the dvd.

I've read those reviews and I think it is pure nitpicking and pettiness, in fact I wanted to write my own review and challenge the statements made by the grumpy reviewer.

The fact that we even have them reunited and video footage of this amazing concert is enough to make any true Nektar fan ecstatic.

Keep in mind they only had a short time to rehearse.

I think the intertwined footage of the early days is done well and doesn't get in the way of enjoying the concert but I've usually partaken of my favorite relaxer and beer.

The use of the female interviewer is unnecessary but she does have nice boobs so relax and enjoy.

If you are a casual Nektar fan, save your money and buy the new cd.

[vtx]

glassback,,,,I got the Nektar dvd today,,exchange and delivery killed me,,,but thats Canada for ya...

Just 3 things---they did show those 2 woman too many times and they looked lost at times..Roye T didn't have the old 8 string epiphone,,which I thought was his trademark..the lite show was shown during Roye's best git solo for Man on the Moon...

Now that the crying(in the dark) is over....I can tell you,,I watched it myself and it felt good to see the boys again,,,I screamed like a kid ,,smashed my head on the ceiling,,(thought I had room to jump),,shed a tear for those days gone by,,especially the old footage..
I was 6th row centre at Massie Hall and as soon as I get blasted! I'm gonna watch it again and remember the future,,,
You were rite on ,,this was a must have for us,,
thanx for the replies,,I love it and see ya at the show tonite...

later

[Glassback]

Hey vtx - really glad you're enjoying the DVD.
It's indeed a bit special isn't it?


I've still not got the new album yet, no shops in my City seem to be able to get hold of it. It doesn't even show on their computer screens - almost like it was never released.
Couldn't order it through their website cos my card was maxed out (note to self: online buying can be a crippler), but now I've finally managed to give myself some breathing space on the card, I've just this minute ordered it from their site - at last!
Along with the special issue of Recycled with an alternative mix of the entire album by Geoff Emerick.

Has anybody else actually got the new album yet?

Anyway, I'll certainly let you know my thoughts just as soon as it arrives.

ps - I've lost count of the number of times I've watched that DVD since getting it.

[vtx]

Enjoying the dvd is an understatment,,I'm absolutely amazed and blown away with it..
Some of the things Roye T does,,,well,,,theres just no words ..if you turn away and listen at times,,you'd think,,theres no way he just did that live,,,some of the shots in between leads and rhythms,,,but there it is for all to see...
A lot of my friends always thought they were kinda weak,,but I had them all down,,watched it on the big screen and drove my stereo to new heights,,,their still trying to come to grips with what they witnessed..
Even a slow tune like "Now" I thought the man poured his guts out,,,,left it all on stage..
I've got to stop though,,take a break,,its makin me crazy,,
Theres a cool record store here thats gunna order the new album for me..
thanx again glassback,,,but lets put this to rest for a while,,,at least till we get the new release......

[Glassback]

Well, I got my copy of Recycled through the door yesterday - but still no sign of the new album, which I ordered BEFORE Recycled.

And it still doesn't show on the computers in the shops either.

So, I wonder, if Vickyp is still watching this thread - maybe you can shed some light here?
Has the album release date been put back?
It doesn't say so on the Nektar site and it processed my order OK.
What's the situation?

[Glassback]

Postman finally delivered my long awaited copy of Evolution just now.
Not listened yet - gonna go do that now - I'll be back.

But look what I got with it:

Almost makes it worth the wait.

[seamonkey]

Postman finally delivered my long awaited copy of Evolution just now.
Not listened yet - gonna go do that now - I'll be back.

But look what I got with it:

Almost makes it worth the wait.

Can you put it on fast forward and let us know right away what it sounds like?

[Glassback]

Postman finally delivered my long awaited copy of Evolution just now.
Not listened yet - gonna go do that now - I'll be back.

But look what I got with it:

Almost makes it worth the wait.

Can you put it on fast forward and let us know right away what it sounds like?

Well, as it happens, it's just got to the end.
And you know what?
It's a brand new NEKTAR album.
There's a track that reminds me of It's All Over and other tracks that are just sooooo proggy
From first listen, there's only one track I wasn't too keen on - Phazed By The Storm - which, imo, sounds a bit like Phil Collins / Genesis, but maybe it'll grow on me.
Other than that, there's not a bad track on it.
Again, only my opinion.

But - if you like Nektar it's a MUST-HAVE!

Now just starting second, more detailed listen.
Right after I've made this cup o' tea and rolled this thingummy...

The feeling I'm left with after listening once though, is WWWWOOOOOWWWWW - you know that feeling you get when you listen to something that's really really really uber-cooool? That.

[Glassback]

OK, so here it is; my general thoughts on the album:


Camouflage to White - first track and it starts a bit jazz-rock-y then becomes a catchy little rock number. I was dubious at first, but it's OK.

Old Mother Earth - starts ballady, then comes in with the BIG chord and Hammond Organ and now we're listening to Nektar proper.

Child Of Mine - Slow and spacey with acoustic guitar and piano. Quite lovely - reminds me, in places, of It's All Over Now.

Phazed By The Storm - I take back what I said before about this track. Sure, the chorus that comes in a couple of times is pretty Phil Collins, but the rest of it's like a cross between Remember The Future and Marvelous Moses. Some great guitar in this mint track.

Always - This is the track that was on that sampler CD all that time ago. It was like listening to an old friend, I've played it so many times in the past couple of months. Brilliant. BIG. EPIC. And great vox.

Dancin' Into The Void - More epic and trippy Nektar. Nuff said.

The Debate - Now, this track I don't like much. Even though it starts off heavy like Recycled. But the first half's just fairly average rock fodder imho. The second half is much better though. But even taking into account the far superior second half, still not my fave track on the album. Oh well, one out eight aint bad. Not that it's crap - just average.

After The Fall - Acoustic ballad with some nice piano and mellow strings. Chills you out - then it comes IN!!! Great last track with a cool ending.

So there ya go. If you were dubious about whether or not this album might spoil your memory of Nektar as a great band, don't be.
It's Nektar pretty much through and through. But NEW.