Gong - Live Etc. (1977) | CLOCKWORK PEACH

Label: Virgin
Country: UK
Released: 1977
Format: Vinyl,LP,Album

Release Overview

"Live Etc." is a double-LP album by the British band Gong, released in August 1977. This collection captures live performances and radio sessions recorded between 1973 and 1975, during a peak era of the band's output. The album is issued under Virgin Records with the catalog number VGD 3501. The packaging features a die-cut gatefold sleeve designed by Cooke Key, which adds a unique visual element to the release.

Musical Content

The album comprises nineteen tracks that showcase Gong's eclectic blend of jazz, rock, and psychedelia. It includes live recordings from notable venues such as the Bataclan in Paris and the Edinburgh Festival, along with sessions from the BBC Radio 1 John Peel show. The performances highlight the band's signature style characterized by improvisation, telepathic interplay, and theatrical elements.

Key tracks include "You Can't Kill Me," "Zero The Hero & The Witch's Spell," and "Dynamite / I Am Your Animal." The live renditions of these tracks reveal the energy and spontaneity inherent in Gong's performances. The BBC Peel session contributions, including "Radio Gnome Invisible," further illustrate the band's innovative approach to music during this period.

Personnel and Production

The lineup for "Live Etc." features prominent members of the band, including Daevid Allen on glissando and electric guitars, Gilli Smyth on vocals, and Steve Hillage on lead electric guitars. Other contributors include Didier Malherbe on saxophones and flutes, Tim Blake on synthesizers, and Pierre Moerlen on drums. Mike Howlett, who also plays bass guitar, served as the compilation producer for the album.

The production involved multiple sound engineers, including Phil Newell and Alan Perkins, ensuring a polished presentation of the live sound. The album captures the essence of Gong's performances, providing listeners with a vivid experience of the band's live shows.

Recording Locations

The recordings for "Live Etc." were sourced from various significant performances. These include the Bataclan in Paris, where a key concert took place in May 1973, and the Marquee Club in London, where they performed in September 1975. The mix of venues adds to the diverse atmosphere of the album, presenting Gong's music in different contexts.

In summary, "Live Etc." serves as an extensive live retrospective of Gong's work during the early 1970s, capturing their unique fusion of genres and innovative performances. The album documents a crucial period in the band's evolution, reflecting their experimental spirit and collaborative musicianship.

The album was produced by Mike Howlett and Phil Newell, and it includes tracks recorded at the BBC Radio 1 Peel Sessions in January 1974.

Tracklist

A1	You Can't Kill Me Written-By – Allen*	5:50
A2	Zero The Hero & The Witch's Spell Written-By – TritschWritten-By – Allen	11:08
A3	Flying Teapot Written-By – AllenWritten-By – Moze	6:28
B1	Dynamite / I Am Your Animal Written-By – TritschWritten-By – Smyth	5:44
B2	6/8 Written-By – C.O.I.T.*	3:53
B3	Est-Ce Que Je Suis Written-By – Allen*	4:12
B4	Ooby-Scooby Doomsday Or The D-Day DJ's Got The D.D.T. Blues Written-By – Allen*	5:15
C1	Radio Gnome Invisible Written-By – Allen*	7:35
C2	Oily Way Written-By – AllenWritten-By – Malherbe	3:20
C3	Outer Temple Written-By – HillageWritten-By – Blake	1:05
C4	Inner Temple Written-By – AllenWritten-By – Malherbe	5:15
C5	Where Have All The Flowers Gone Written-By – C.O.I.T.*	3:07
D1	Isle Of Everywhere Written-By – C.O.I.T.*	10:24
D2	Get It Inner Written-By – C.O.I.T.*	2:31
D3	Master Builder Written-By – C.O.I.T.*	5:56
D4	Flying Teapot (Reprise) Written-By – AllenWritten-By – Moze	1:55