Gong--Live Longueville, France 1974--CD/LP--December

[polmico]

^ Very good news.

[Mascodagama]

Brian Abbot :
Just want to say in 2022 there will be an amazing box set via GAS and Snapper records. I have been working with Jonny for the last two days mapping out a rough framework for the release. We are talking 1967 to Present day Gong. Audio that has never been heard, live gigs, loops, constructs, interviews. A comprehensive book, posters etc. I have just listened through Gong live in Montpelier in 1972, brilliantly recorded by Venuxe. It took my head head off ! Its a while off at the moment, so if you liked Love from the Planet Gong, then . . . .. . .<3

Cool, thanks Udi!

I reckon I will hold off any more live Gong buys in anticipation of this. I have Love From Planet Gong to keep me warm until it finally emerges...

[Munster]

Excellent news, made even better by the fact that Snapper Music is involved. It is they who were responsible for the recent 37-disc boxset put out by Caravan. Madfish, a subsidiary, were also responsible for the 22-CD Hillage boxset 'Searching For The Spark', which won many accolades.

But, before that, there are the releases of the Unconvention gig and the Longlaville concert to keep me warm this winter!

[Mascodagama]

Help! I think I'm turning into a hippy. At the moment all I want to listen to is Gong, Hillage and Ozrics. It'll be Nodens Ictus next and then I'll really be in trouble.

[Munster]

^^^ Have you got a crocheted skull cap yet?

[polmico]

^And where's the Hawkwind in all that?

[Mascodagama]

^^^ Have you got a crocheted skull cap yet?

Crochet is really hard to do when you're this high.

[Mascodagama]

^And where's the Hawkwind in all that?

It's here, man!

[polmico]

^ Oh man. I'll definitely need to tighten the headband in my knit-hat to properly enjoy that.

And probably some more . . . of something else, too.

[Munster]

The Longlaville recording is excellent, with great versions of Perfect Mystery (the first time on a live recording?), Outer/Inner Temple, A Sprinkling of Clouds and Solar Musick Suite. The sound is clear and well balanced. In the liner notes there is also an interesting article written by Steve Lake (of Melody Maker) recounting his experiences with the band on the road back in the day (not all sweetness and light it seems). I miss the propulsive energy of drummer Pierre Moerlen but Laurie Allan does a fine job. Good to hear Miquette Giraudy as a full-time band member too.

[happytheman]

The Longlaville recording is excellent, with great versions of Perfect Mystery (the first time on a live recording?), Outer/Inner Temple, A Sprinkling of Clouds and Solar Musick Suite. The sound is crystal clear and well balanced. In the liner notes there is also an interesting article written by Steve Lake (of Melody Maker) recounting his experiences with the band on the road back in the day (not all sweetness and light it seems). I miss the propulsive energy of drummer Pierre Moerlen but Laurie Allan does a fine job. Good to hear Miquette Giraudy as a full-time band member too.

Is this the one you speak of? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFmh3xihyNk

[calyx]

Is this the one you speak of? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFmh3xihyNk

The link is to a partial recording of the Radio Bremen broadcast from the same era, with the same line-up. (Lisa 'Deluxe' Bois, a future Magma singer, is sitting in on this one, not sure she's on Longlaville.)
The Longlaville concert is from the French town of the same name, earlier on the same tour, and is a recently unearthed soundboard recording, just released as a double CD. Bremen circulates in full on the bootleggers' forums, but is still commercially unreleased.

[Munster]

Is this the one you speak of? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFmh3xihyNk

No. As Calyx says above, this is recorded a few days later (November 4 1974, whereas the Longlaville gig was on October 27 1974). The song list is broadly the same, except Longlaville has Other Side Of The Sky (lapsing occasionally into Sprinkling Of Clouds soundscapes) as the opening track, and at the end has A Sprinkling Of Clouds, You Can't Kill Me and The Isle of Everywhere (which is superb but fades out). The Longlaville concert has Miquette Giraudy as the sole female vocalist.

[Udi Koomran]

Anyone knows why the Bremen show hasn’t received an official release yet ?

[calyx]

Anyone knows why the Bremen show hasn’t received an official release yet ?

Well, since we're promised a 30CD live box with enough leftovers for two more, it seems a LOT of live tapes that could have been released haven't. And not even ones that required licensing, like Radio Bremen would.

[polmico]

But wait! There's more:



https://gong.lnk.to/PulsingSignals?f...t1izQeP08rQRIk

[Piskie]

Of course I bought it -and very fine it is too.

[strawberrybrick]

Hurry up post office!

[Munster]

Brian Abbot :
Just want to say in 2022 there will be an amazing box set via GAS and Snapper records. I have been working with Jonny for the last two days mapping out a rough framework for the release. We are talking 1967 to Present day Gong. Audio that has never been heard, live gigs, loops, constructs, interviews. A comprehensive book, posters etc. I have just listened through Gong live in Montpelier in 1972, brilliantly recorded by Venuxe. It took my head head off ! Its a while off at the moment, so if you liked Love from the Planet Gong, then . . . .. . .<3

I was listening to the brilliant Roanne concert today (on the Love From... boxset) and wondered if there was any news on the huge boxset from Madfish planned for next year. I am not on Facebook and there is nothing on the GAS site; they also seem to have scrapped their forum, so there is no way of asking the question directly.

[calyx]

I was listening to the brilliant Roanne concert today (on the Love From... boxset) and wondered if there was any news on the huge boxset from Madfish planned for next year. I am not on Facebook and there is nothing on the GAS site; they also seem to have scrapped their forum, so there is no way of asking the question directly.

I am sworn to secrecy as far as the contents are concerned, but I can assure you progress is being made right now, and we're all in for a treat when this materialises - next year, indeed.

[Munster]

I am sworn to secrecy as far as the contents are concerned, but I can assure you progress is being made right now, and we're all in for a treat when this materialises - next year, indeed.

Thanks. That is excellent news and just what I was hoping to read. I will start saving now

[Enidi]

The sound quality on Longlaville is decent, but there is something about the performance that throws me off. I don't know what the H that is.

I've listened to it several times and it's growing on me. It's not like Oslo 74' which interests me more , but unfortunately is an audience recording.

I like "Solar Music Suite" on the Marquee show and Oslo...but it's a little different on Longlaville. I'm not sure how it's different.

I will continue listening to Longlaville because it's enjoyable. It's simply a matter of getting used to it.

[Munster]

The sound quality on Longlaville is decent, but there is something about the performance that throws me off. I don't know what the H that is.

Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth – every live Gong release is welcome – there is one thing missing from the Longlaville recording (IMO). And that is Pierre Moerlen. I bang on about him being such a great drummer, but he was. His quickfire drumming and crystal-clear cymbal sounds were absolutely key to the classic Gong sound. His drumming also brought an energy to the group that can be heard in all the great live recordings that exist of that period.

The Longlaville concert had it all – a great setlist, excellent recording quality and all the keys players, except for Moerlen. Listen to these versions of Master Builder. The first version was recorded in possibly May 1974 (there is a great thread on this subject here http://www.progressiveears.org/forum...reasy+truckers) and it had Moerlen on drums (and amazing guitar by Hillage). The second version was recorded in October of that same year and had Laurie Allen on the kit. The difference is telling.





As for Moerlen’s cymbal sound, I have to include the opening track of the Roanne concert (recorded in August 1973) as an example of his brilliance. (Sorry for all the video clips gumming up the works for those reading this on their phones, but it is worth it.)

[Bytor]

Any news on the big live boxset? Been on a Gong kick lately

[strawberrybrick]

According to Brian Abbot (on the Planet Gong FB page), the audio is done and it's scheduled for 2023. Cross fingers, and save your pennies.