Tangerine Dream Live Montreal 1977 (Bootmon 2)

Part 2 of the Bootmon series is the legendary 'Montreal Plas Des Arts' performance from 1977. Legendary because it's one of the more well known bootlegs thanks to the 'CHOM FM' airing and consequent cassette copies which exist. Because it's FM roots the sound quality is pretty decent. Packaging is similar to 'Aachen', an individually numbered gatefold cardboard sleeve. Disappointingly the inside cover pictures aren't contemporary with the era and suggests they were randomly chosen without even a basic grasp of TD's roots.

Just in case you haven't already read the 'Aachen' review I'd better immediately spell out a big issue with this set. CD2 of 'Montreal' and 'Aachen' have been transposed hence if you want to listen to the full 'Montreal' set you'll have to buy 'Aachen'! I'll review the album here as it's presented…

The first thing that strikes you about the music is how structurally similar the first few tracks are to 'Encore'. However, the pieces are marvellous variations from the original release. 'First Movement' has all the hallmarks of 'Cherokee Lane', from the sweeping effects which open, through the high register opening sequence, to the main sequence volley it's a fascinating ride. The second track 'Second Movement' is a wonderful version of 'Monolight'. I'm still amazed how the boys pulled off the version which appeared on 'Encore' in a single pass (as proved on the 'Bootleg Box 2'), and here you'll find more evidence of their total genius. From the wonderful opening piano refrains and effects, to that mesmeric melodic section, we go into a wall of sequenced fury thence to another piano section to end. I for one never tire of hearing alternative recordings of this seminal piece of music.

'Third Movement' is a very different interpretation of 'Coldwater Canyon' so there's sequence and guitar aplenty. To me the technique of performing with a structured gameplan but creating every aspect "of the moment" is the perfect live approach and the evidence can be heard here. The 'Coldwater' references are unmistakable but there's so much else in the mix which never appeared on the 'Encore' version. Towards the end of the piece our DJ friend makes a whispered appearance but they've done the right thing and not tried to fade the piece which would have broken the flow. Overall this is a totally top performance.

Let's transport ourselves a touch under 4 years forward in time to disc 2... which is part two of the 'Aachen' concert. The fan tape origins of this concert are unmistakable with much audience chattering in evidence, but it could be argued it all adds to the atmosphere. Though I've mentioned the overlap with the Newcastle '81 concert on CD1 it's fair to say that they were totally different tours, 'Aachen' being the European tour early in the year, Newcastle being the UK 'Exit' tour in the latter months of the year. Hence there are significant differences starting with the brilliant 'Silver Scale / Horns of Doom' combo which starts the CD. If you ever wanted to hear trademark TD sequencing (of the era) look no further than here. An atmospheric bridge called 'Phase Change' then takes us to another new piece 'Diamond Duster' which has overt 'Thief' references with heavy drumming and stabbing chords which eventually are joined by sequences to produce the full blown 'Diamond Diary' sound.

The audience are understandably in jovial mood and the brilliance just keeps on rolling, 'Choronzon' is next - what more can you say about this piece? It's the archetypal TD sequence wall of sound with wonderfully infectious melodies. Finally we get a wonderful mix of light and shade in the shape of 'Trap Feeling / Scrap Yard' again from the 'Thief' soundtrack. It's clear TD were in "crowd pleasing" mood for this concert and indeed the whole tour as they lined up all their classic uptempo tracks and it worked a treat. 'Scrapyard' is an awesome piece and is the perfect way to round off a truly awesome concert. Overall this is a fascinating albeit frustrating glimpse of the TD machine which had been tuning itself for the previous half a dozen years to be the finest live electronic band in history.