Van der Graaf Generator - Live in Bern (May 23rd, 1971)

Van der Graaf Generator
Festhalle, Bern, Switzerland
May 23rd, 1971

Audience Recording
Quality: B+/A-

The only band to perform at the free festival taking place that day, Van der Graaf took to the stage only to experience technical difficulties. Luckily, Peter Hammill picked up his guitar and played a few songs from his upcoming solo album, “Fool’s Mate”. He plays alone during “Candle”, but Hugh Banton and Guy Evans join in on “Sunshine”. This is followed by a short, strange acoustic number that others have titled as “A Plateful of Sky at Least”. The proper concert starts with “Afterwards”, one of three songs from their first album that they would play this show, making it the show with the most debut material that we have recorded. Aquarian features Hammill attempting to get the crowd to clap along during “Aquarian”, it’s rather silly. Hammill’s vocals in this show are amazing, though the way his voice is picked up by the mic makes it sound odd. It’s a real shame that Killer is incomplete here, as it’s fiery. This show is also the first recording of the full version of Theme One. Banton’s bass pedals shine brightly through this tape, Evans’ drumming is above and beyond, and Jackson’s sax is powerful. Easily the best sounding recording of 1971, and the most essential show to listen to for its unique circumstances.

0:00 - Candle *
4:57 - Sunshine *
8:32 - A Plateful of Sky at Least *
9:21 - Afterwards **
14:33 - Aquarian **
24:32 - Darkness (11/11)
31:26 - Lost
43:41 - Killer (Incomplete)
47:18 - After the Flood
59:32 - Octopus
1:09:04 - Theme One

* - Only live recording
** - First live recording

Download: https://mega.nz/folder/HnRH1JhD#DBTEl...

Peter Hammill: Vocals & Guitar
Guy Evans: Drums
Hugh Banton: Keyboards & Bass Pedals
David Jackson: Saxophone & Flute