Vital (Live)

Proggnosis Artist-Release Details

a Live release
by Van der Graaf Generator

Release Year: 1978

Release History (Labels) 3

Date	Label	Catalog #	Comments
1978	Charisma	6641 881	2xLP, 2xCassette
01 Apr 1989	Virgin	CVLCD101	2xCD
29 Mar 2024	Esoteric Recordings	ECLEC22864	2xCD (remastered)

Release Information

Recorded live at the Marquee Club, London, 16 Jan 1978.
Produce by Peter Hammil and Guy Evans
Mixed at Foel Studio, Llanfair Caereinion, Powys, Wales.

This release was not overdubed.

The remastered 2024 reissue was taken from the original master tapes and comes with a booklet that includes interviews with band members.

Added To Proggnosis Database on: 3/18/2001 12:00:00 AM
Entry Last Updated on: 1/15/2024 6:35:00 AM by: DBSilver

Track List

CD 1

Ship Of Fools
Still Life
Last Frame
Mirror Images
Medley (Parts Of A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers And The Sleepwalkers)

CD 2

Pioneers Over C
Sci-Finance
Door
Urban
Nadir's Big Chance

Performer Credits

Graham Smith
violin

Nic Poter
bass

Peter Hammill
vocals, guitars, piano

Guy Evans
drums

Charles Dickie
cello, electric piano, synthesizers

With:

David Jackson: saxes & flute on (CD1-[4,5], CD2)

Reviewed by DBSilver on 03 May 2002

I do not know that VDGG has ever played live gigs in America but their reputation for quality live performances is captured here on Vital. The new line-up (The Quiet Zone with addition of Charles Dickie on cello) performs with power and raw energy on each cut following the first one. As with The Quiet Zone, Dave Jackson guests. Four songs find their first appearance on this recording, Ship of Fools, Sci-finance, Door, and Urban and they contain the same force, doom, and venom that we've come to expect in Hammill lyrics & VDGG deliveries.
As I said, the CD starts slowly but VDGG finds their form by the second track Still Life. This is a good CD and performance. It is desierable for serious VDGG fans and the inclusion of 4 new songs is especially valuable - but, (pardon the pun) it is not 'vital' to have this in your collection. Others should seek out Pawn Hearts from the 1st Generation and Still Life or Godbluff from the 2nd Generation.