Talk Talk Album: “London 1986”

First, make no mistake Talk Talk is a top contender for my favorite music groups to have ever existed. Their debut album holds little interest to me because of it's dated synth sounds and pop covering. Their remainder of recordings to me got better and better until the final Laughing Stock album which is a timeless, deep and ethereal masterpiece.

This London 1986 concert took place on thier final tour between the Colour of Spring and Sprit of Eden albums. While Colour of Spring is another 5 star album this live album reveals a whole different breath of life and risk that actuly makes the studio recordings sound comparably boxed in.

The power and impact of Give it up here is simply fantastic and Does Caroline Know flows with an openess of life that the studio version pales in comparison to, it's like live we're hearing what these songs really sound like. (BTW- Onetime Peter Gabrial bandmate and ace-guitarist david Rhodes plays the e-bow (a sort of magnetic guitar pick) guitar leads on the previously mentioned two tracks.

Most, if not all the drums/percussion is done live (not programmed)with a few exceptions. Most of the playing is done with taste and restraint. Mark Hollis' vocals are imperfect, vulnerable, moving and give me goosebumps.

Appearantly there was a video of this concert that was released in Italy back in it's day but nowhere else. I've seen the Give it Up video cut from this show and it's great. The audience is ever present and are part of the show, the acoustics of the mid-sized Hammersmith Odeon ring beautifully and play a part in the performance itself. The recording is more raw and real rather than polished or produced.

This show is top of my list for historic concerts that I wish I could go back in time and attend.

The live album for me brings these already great songs into an honest, open air.

Gripes? well, sometimes you can hear the edits between songs (out of sequence)and I wish this was longer and released as the whole concert! I'm guessing this disc covers about half of the show.

Excellent, if you already love and appreciate the It's my Life and Colour of Spring albums then this live album will give you an even better appreciation for the songs and a whole new aural vantage point.

Mark Hollis is a true artist with depth, integrity and the need to move forward, hence we will probobly never see a true Talk Talk concert ever come to take place in the future.

Recorded in 1986, the last year TALK TALK would ever perform live concerts, this collection shows the band in a transitional state, playing mostly pop material from ITS MY LIFE and COLOUR OF SPRING with longer, more introspective arrangements. The trio of Webb, Hollis and Harris are augmented by two percussionists, two keyboardists, a guitarist and Mark Feltham on harmonica. For those of you who own the bootleg TALKING COLOURS, this is a completely different set (though some of the songs are the same) so don't worry about any repetition. IF YOU OWN THE BOOTLEG, BUY THIS CD! You won't be disappointed! Hollis is as pensive and introspective as always, and the extended songs incorporate subtle solos and some intense jamming. This is a beautiful and mesmerizing set, driven by Harris' steady rythms, Webb's tasteful bass lines and the tribal effect of the added percussionists (ORang fans take note).

It's hard to review any recording featuring Mark Hollis. He is simply one of the finest vocalists ever recorded, right up there with Ray Charles, Marty Balin, Marvin Gaye, David Bowie (Diamond Dogs Period..), Smokey Robinson and a few others. This recording of the/a band in 1986 is an emotional, orchestral, spiritual roller coaster. The band is excellent; the best songs are given long versions which in every case improve on the studio versions, a rare occurrence; Mark is in fantastic voice. It's all a perfect setup, except for one thing: would someone who either was there or knows please tell me what the other songs in this concert were? I know that they HAD to do more than 8 songs - what were they? But again - find this out-of-print (in 2005) CD some way, and BUY IT. Believe me, you will thank me. You need to hear this CD..This CD is as seminal (to a type of music not yet being played) as the 13th Floor Elevators.

This is a must have for any Talk Talk fan. Unfortunately, only eight tracks from the concert but this is Talk Talk at their finest - live.

talk talk is amazing. no doubt that they shine live, especially at this phase of their career. is it worth the money for this rare album? not since the montreaux dvd has been released. to me, the highlight here is 'does caroline know?' and is on the dvd as well. however having the visuals and getting the extended setlist for a quarter of the price makes it a no contest. this is a piece for completists, an enjoyable and impressive listen, but the recently released dvd tops it.