When the live album Rio Artrock Festival ‘97 was released, a compilation sporting three tracks by Violeta De Outono, I have to be honest I didn’t notice how close these guys came to early Pink Floyd. So what better way to illustrate this than to kick off with Barrett’s very own masterpiece “Astronomy Domine” on their full length live album recorded at the same time as the aforementioned Rio Artrock compilation disc. So in a way the three tracks which we got on the compilation are also present here, as we get the entire concert as recorded on 4th December 1997 in Teatro Scala in Rio de Janeiro. The psychedelic feel is mainly there thanks to the style of drumming applied here by Claudio Souza and the inclusion of "typical" keyboard instruments such as electric piano and organ. Of course we shouldn’t forget the slide guitar courtsey of Fabio Galfetti, the Argentinian Gilmour! The band doesn’t drown in technical outbursts but lets the music flow occasionally giving room to extended solos. “Sombras Flutuantes” includes that typical Floydish guitar that gives way to the bass guitar to introduce the main riff from “Set The Controls To The Heart Of The Sun." How close can you get? “Declinio De Maio” shows how weak Fabio’s voice is when it isn’t supported by loud guitars or effects. The drum section is also rather predictable. The way the band approaches a Beatles classic like “Tomorrow Never Knows” illustrates how psychedelic the Liverpool four were at one point. In fact it takes a while before you know Violeta de Outono is attacking this song as obviously it’s not the kind of cover one would expect from them. However it works rather well because of the healthy dose of psychedelic elements present. The final track “Em Toda Parte” includes some of the most tasty guitar playing on the album. So if you still love the "older" Floyd from the Meddle and Obscured By Clouds period then this might just be up your street. Reviewed by: John ‘Bo Bo’ Bollenberg |
