You’re not gonna find a more progressive cult band than Nektar. Never
having seen this German-based band back in the day (they formed in 1969 and
played throughout the 70s), my friends and I had the pleasure, privilege and
once-in-a-lifetime chance (or so we thought) to see them in 2002, catching the
original lineup, complete with Larry ‘freaking’ Fast. Since then,
Nektar has released new music, played shows, lost and added members and have
just released Fortyfied, a live two-CD package recorded during
their 2008 tour to celebrate 40 years together.
Fortyfied begins with the band’s entire second album,
A Tab In The Ocean. The chunky title tracks showcases original
drummer Ron Howden. “Cryin’ In The Dark” featuring some blistering
playing from the new guys — Klaus Henatsch on organ and bassist Peter
Pichl. “King Of Twighlight.” “Waves” and the popular
(among Nektar fans) “Desolation Valley,” include Roye Albrighton’s
wailing guitar. Hats off to the band for performing the whole “Tab”
right out of the gate!
“Dream Nebula,” one of the band’s more progressive tunes,
is also here, highlighted by great keys and guitar pushing along through perfectly
realized peaks and valleys, faithful to the studio version on the band’s
first album with just enough of that live thang to make this the best tune so
far. It’s here and “Desolation Alley” that we get to really
hear Albrighton sing, and though his voice has seen better days, there’s
still a lot of emotion in the old guy’s pipes.
A Nektar show wouldn’t be complete without a reading of the Remember
The Future album. A portion of the title track from the 1973 album
(their first real break in the States when it reached Number 20 on the charts)
clocks in at just under 20 minutes and really showcases the band’s sound
— light and dark shadings, at times bopping guitar to vocals then heavy
stomping or organ and those snapping, crazy moments of break-out speed from
Howden. There’s also a perfect middle section that floats right along
with Albrighton’s precision leads.
The second CD begins with two from 1973’s Sounds Like This
album (yes, 1973 was a busy year for Nektar) — “Where Are You Now”
and “A Day In The Life Of A Preacher.” There’s some heavy
guitar, less prog sensibilities, even moments when it sounds like the Doobie
Brothers. At other points, you could be channeling early Frampton. But this
is about as light and airy as this band ever really gets.
Peter Pichl is showcased on “Mr H,” along with Albrighton’s
extended solo. We are definitely in classic Nektar land when “Recycled,
Part 1” pops up from Recycled, arguably one of the all-time
greatest progressive rock albums ever. This is a decent version, maybe with
a little too much of Albrighton’s loud guitar (and I do miss Derek “Mo”
Moore’s original bass playing). Still, it is dramatic and a centerpiece
of Fortyfied. “The Debate,” not one of the best
tunes here, and a quiet (at times) “Man In The Moon,” from the 1980
album of the same name, finish the set off.
Do I miss the original lineup of this band? Sure. Do I wish I could have caught
them in the mid 70s, say when Recycled first came out? Of course.
But I try to see things for what they are, not for what I hoped they could be
(if I did this I’d never get out of bed in the morning). This is a decent
double CD set from a band that is still bringing those old prog rock vibes to
fans throughout the globe, for 40 years and counting.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
