Re: Ra on Leo Records

Leo LR 154--Love in Outer Space: Live in Utrecht. Not that comparable to either A Fireside Chat (1982) or Hours After (1986). Live in Utrecht is a pretty good example of what the Arkestra was playing on its European tour of October-December 1983. Many of the other concerts were just as good and The Venue (London, October 13, 1983) showed more vigor. For me the highlight is Gilmore on "Round Midnight" (though I heard a live performance in 1984 that was even better). Recording is a little muzzy. Leo LR 188--Friendly Galaxy. This is a decent concert from 1991. 1991 performances tend to be uneven as a rule. Ra was playing very weakly after he came out of rehab--sometimes he didn't use his left hand at all. His hold over the band seemed to waver sometimes too. The presence of Charles Davis on baritone sax is a plus, though, and Gilmore is still in pretty good health. The best post-stroke performances are from March and April 1992, despite Gilmore's poor health at that time. rlc