The Tangent
Going Off On Two

LA RECENSIONE

A live recorded in the studio??? Well, yes... this is also part of the eclecticism of Andy Tillison, the mind and "commander" of The Tangent.
Not just rock. Not just prog. In short, a well-executed ensemble, fascinating and intriguing music that touches many genres. This video demonstrates Andy's great compositional abilities and the technical skills (never just for their own sake) of the other band members.
Brief presentation of the musicians:
Andy Tillison / lead vocals & keyboards - the "boss," but the voice is not personal... maybe someone else should sing...
Jonathan Barret / bass: excellent in jazzy tracks, a bit less in the more rock ones
Luke Machin / guitar and vocals: spectacular (I think he has a poster of Steve Hackett in his room...)
Tony Latham / drums: despite his size, he's agile with the sticks, musically remarkable
Theo Travis / saxophones and flute: always great, Theo...

No audience, and this could seem like a risky choice, but the whole thing is recorded live, without overdubs or special effects, except those that
would be used during a concert. Okay, the audience is missing... but since The Tangent usually perform in small venues (never in stadiums), overall
the absence of "screams" and "clapping" out of time is not annoying; instead, it allows one to focus on the music, which I must say, is really captivating and imaginative.

A "Where are they now" starts the performance with keyboards, bass, and drums in the forefront, then making way for other instruments (guitar and sax primarily). A great tight and spectacular track.

Then it's the turn of "The Mind's eyes," a story of mental deviations, acidic and dark just at the right point.

We then move to "Perdu dans Paris," which seems like a ballad dedicated to "romantic" Paris, but then reveals a strong denunciation of the conditions of the Parisian homeless, with an uncommon awareness: "There's two Cities in this town, and I'm living in one, but I could be in the other Tomorrow"... you never know in life...
The next track, "Paroxetine 20mg," is acidic, lysergic and is a strong condemnation of those who prescribe psychotropic drugs indiscriminately...
"A sale of two souls" is delicate, angry, and a bit romantic as well. Guitar (well-synthesized) and flute to amiably discuss the signs of aging and the fact that we over-fifties are not to be discarded, despite everything... the fingers can still press the piano keys....
"GPS Culture / The Music that died alone" consists of two very notable pieces, with jazz and Canterbury splashes to savor slowly and with relaxation.
"In darkest dream" is the masterpiece, in my opinion, of the set list. Apart from the cameo dedicated to "Tangerine Dream" ("After Phaedra") reworked by Tillison with
his electronic antics that do not satisfy me at all, but for the rest (part 1 and 2) it is truly a manifesto of Canterbury and non-Canterbury prog.
Also listen to the ending credits, where many Tangent tracks (not just those from the concert) are played by the symphonic orchestra.
Not to be missed at all