SOFT MACHINE - PARIS 1970

• soft machine: paris 1970
      (2021, 2cd, uk, london calling)

Last year, the obscure London Calling record label released Soft Machine's 1970 Paris concert on LP and on CD.
An unofficial release, but documenting a fine historical event.

Recorded in Paris, France in 1970, at the Theatre De La Musique.
Elton Dean (saxello), Robert Wyatt (drums, vocals), Hugh Hopper (bass), Mike Ratledge (organ), Lyn Dobson (soprano sax, flute, harmonica, voice)

At the time, the concert got broadcast on ORTF, French national TV, on Maurice Dumay's "Pop 2" tv show. Both audio recordings from this broadcast as an audience recording of the show are circulating.
The 'Theatre De La Musique' is quite an interesting venue with quite a history. Nowadays, it's called La Gaîté Lyrique. It has morphed into a digital arts and modern music center.

But let's get back to the concert. I'm guessing his album used the audience recording. The music sounds great. Despite the occasional drop outs on the original tape, this is a very enjoyable concert to listen to.

In the meantime, Cuneiform released "Facelift (France & Holland)" presenting, among others, the same concert.