Robert Wyatt - Sea Song

All Music Guide

One of the only live performances of Robert Wyatt from his solo career, this bootleg recording originally popped up on vinyl as Las Vegas Fandango. Recorded at London's ~Drury Lane Theater in September of 1974, the concert marked the only time that Wyatt performed tracks from Rock Bottom, that most personal of albums. Introduced by famous BBC DJ John Peel, the band replicates the lineup from Rock Bottom (which was far from being a touring band, and a wonder that anyone could get them together again for a gig): Hugh Hopper, Fred Frith, Gary Windo, Mike Oldfield, Ivor Cutler, Nick Mason, Mongezi Feza, and more. Wyatt's vocals are not always in tip-top shape, and the sound quality is dreadful, but this is a historically important document of a one-time-only event. Track ten, "Calyx," turned up on the Thirsty Ear box set in pristene condition, suggesting that a quality recording does exist. Perhaps Wyatt sees no reason to release any more from this concert.

- Ted Mills, All Music Guide