Royal Albert Hall October 10 1997

• Artist: Spiritualized
• Rating:
• Release Date: November 10, 1998
• Type: Live
• Genre: Rock

Review

Live albums, by and large, are a dime a dozen -- inconsequential souvenirs designed to placate fans awaiting new studio material, they rarely if ever shed new light on the artist in question; rarer still is their ability to approximate the energy and excitement of the concert setting itself. Spiritualized's transcendent Royal Albert Hall October 10 1997 is the proverbial exception that proves the rule, a revelatory two-disc collection which captures the group at the peak of their powers, somehow translating the hypnotic power and epic majesty of their live set onto vinyl. Rejecting the inane between-song stage patter common to most live performers, Jason Pierce instead weaves his music together into an unbroken tapestry of sound, casting a spell which ebbs and flows with narcotic beauty and intensity; even the most familiar selections (like "Shine a Light," "Take Your Time," and "Medication," all frequent inclusions on other Spiritualized live EPs and bootlegs) pulsate with new life, their melodies as likely to set off on a meditative drift as they are to erupt in blasts of white noise. Granted, Royal Albert Hall isn't a substitute for the experience of actually catching the group in the flesh -- what is? -- but like so few other concert LPs, it actually rises above its conceptual limitations, forever capturing a singular moment in time and space when Spiritualized was unquestionably the greatest rock & roll band in the world. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Intro	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(4:17)
Shine a Light (Lyrics)	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(7:12)
Electric Mainline	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(6:59)
Electricity (Lyrics)	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(3:29)
Home of the Brave (Lyrics)	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(3:27)
The Individual	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(2:55)
Medication (Lyrics)	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(6:37)
Walking With Jesus (Lyrics)	Sonic Boom, Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(4:16)
Take Your Time (Lyrics)	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(6:44)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
No God Only Religion	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(3:55)
Broken Heart (Lyrics)	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(5:52)
Come Together (Lyrics)	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(6:55)
I Think I'm in Love (Lyrics)	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(10:08)
Cop Shoot Cop	Jason Pierce	Spiritualized	(16:33)
Oh Happy Day	Philip Doddridge	Spiritualized	(5:50)

Credits

Spiritualized (Main Performer), Dinah Beamish (Strings), Chris Blair (Mastering), Tony Clarke (Vocals), Tony Clarke (Tenor (Vocal)), Sean Cook (Bass), Sean Cook (Harmonica), Sean Cook (Guitar (Bass)), Sally Herbert (Strings), Jocelyn Pook (Strings), Tony Robinson (Horn), Jason Thompson (Vocals), Jason Thompson (Tenor (Vocal)), John Fisher (Choir Director), Jules Singleton (Strings), Jason Pierce (Guitar), Jason Pierce (Vocals), Jason Pierce (Producer), Max Bisgrove (Engineer), Raymond M. Dickaty (Flute), Raymond M. Dickaty (Sax (Tenor)), Guy Massey (Engineer), Paul Bernard (Vocals), Paul Bernard (Tenor (Vocal)), Damon Reece (Drums), Janice Whyne (Vocals), Janice Whyne (Alto (Vocals)), Denise Seally (Vocals), Denise Seally (Soprano (Vocal)), Thighpaulsandra (Piano), Rob Charles (Horn), Tony Robinson (Horn), Kevin Brown (Horn), Michael Mooney (Bass), Michael Mooney (Guitar)