Tangerine Dream Arizona (Live US 1992)

Wait years for vault releases to appear, then 3 arrive in short succession! Yes folks, it's finally happening. People have clamoured so much for archive live performances to be released, it looks like this really is becoming a reality. Just think of it, those mid 70's to early 80's concerts in all their sonorous glory! So why TD have decided that what we really crave next is a slab of their 1992 US tour is a complete mystery. Yes, come on down Scottsdale Mall Amphitheatre, September 28th 1992. Almost 10 years to the month after TD were gracing us with the electronic delights of the Logos tour, they turned up in the US resplendent with pretty saxophonist Linda Spa and ripped-jeans axe-man Zlatko Perica. It really is fascinating to hear TD nail their middle-of-the-road electro AOR during this period. Oh the irony that during their zenith of the 70's/80's they shapeshifted with indecent haste, yet once they hit their 90's nadir they stuck to it with canine loyalty. On a more positive (?) note, it is a double CD so we have the set to all intents and purposes in its entirety.

So, on with the show, and we are immediately presented with the subtle refrains of 'Waterborne'. The pitter-patter drums soon appear and guitar riffs break through. While I'm waiting for 'Touchwood' to make an appearance it's also worth noting that this isn't of course the only record of the '92 tour, '220 Volt Live' has that dubious honour and is probably rendered superfluous now unless you really do want to play "spot the difference" with the tracks common to both. Ah, that syncopating piano opening to 'Touchwood' and a melody which to be honest isn't bad, but the saxophone soon appears. In a fairer world Kenny G. would have bought a moog modular and done a 'Ricochet' clone.

'Rolling Down Cahuenga' has a jaunty, rhythmic opening which sounds very similar to something else which I can't recall at the moment, it then scuttles along for the thick end of 7 minutes before 'Blue Bridge' opens with breathy synths. Linda soon gets her mouth around the nozzle and we transcend into social gathering background muzak. 'Oriental Haze' adds a bit of background rhythmics to the sax. 'Graffiti Street' has some decent synth lines over chugging sequences, but as soon as the scything guitar ephemera starts all I hear is blah blah blah. 'Melrose'. What can one say? 'Two Bunch Palms' again has a bit of syncopating piano to start, then more blah blah. '220 Volt' is the best piece so far, and I'm not saying that just because the sax /guitar are absent... well I am really, but it's amazing the improvement when the synths are allowed room to breathe. I'm doing my best here, because I've just slapped on the headphones and cranked up the volume thinking that perhaps that would be a cure for the relentless hum drum. It works for a while on 'Homeless', the guitar melody isn't so irksome but is it out of tune for a moment or two? It certainly confirms the sparkling sound quality, but the guitar just becomes tedious all too quickly. I can't stand it any more, I'm off to watch the TV. Which, if memory serves me right, is exactly what I did half way through reviewing '220 Volt Live'.

24 hrs later, on with disc 2 and we open with 'Story of the Brave', a thoughtful almost tender piece which builds slowly but seems to lack any real focus. 'Sundance Kid' is next and here we get a distinct improvement, with choppy sequencing and meaningful synth lines which sound rather like 'Madrigal Meridian' from 'Cyclone' -making this sound like a true electronic music track. On the other hand the lightweight 'Girls on Broadway' seems to be a thorn between two roses because next we get 'Love on a Real Train' and a fine rendition it is too, the breathy synths adding lustre to sequencing and rhythmics from the top drawer. 'Back Street Hero' seems to get the crowd's approval but is more of the same guitar pyrotechnics. Haven't heard the sax for a while, must be due up again. Ah yes, 'Body Corporate' brings a tear to the eye with its gooey yummyness. The main set ends with 'Rockoon' and the crowd reaction is very enthusiastic. Three encores are included, 'One Night in Medina', 'Hamlet-Dreamtime' (two tracks) and finally the crowd pleaser 'Purple Haze'.