MAX WEBSTER – The Party ; Unreleased Max (2017)
And here’s a delicious pie for all MAX WEBSTER / Kim Mitchell fans, “The Party ; Unreleased Max”. This collection of previously unreleased tracks were boxed not so long ago, and features juicy stuff from this talented Canadian band.
Here we find some songs that didn’t make it into Max’s LPs. Fans would know “Deep Dive” from Kim Mitchell’s solo live album, but this Max’s original 1982 demo is completely different. Same melody, same words, but a vastly different arrangement. It’s like rock and roll bluegrass, fast as possible, and insanely good. It was likely deemed too different to be on the ‘Universal Juveniles’ LP, but there’s no doubt it’s awesome and the highlight here.
Another standout from the batch of demos is a version of “Battle Scar” without Rush; just Max Webster. It’s a revelation; an interesting work in progress.
There are also two songs you’ve never heard before, “Walden 5” and “Better”, both from 1979. Let’s just say that the quality of these unreleased Max songs is album level.
A demo version of “In the World of Giants” from 1979 has way more guitar soloing. Kim fans will love it.
Max Webster apparently recorded their 2007 reunion show, or at least the opener here “Let Go the Line (Live)”. It sounds brilliant and makes you pray for a live album of the show.
Other live stuff from 1979 included was recorded in Oshawa. “Oh War” simply smokes, and was not included on the band’s album ‘Live Magnetic Air’.
Then at the end, there’s the crazy jam centred on “Research (At Beach Resorts)”. These insane live sessions really show why Max Webster is held in such high esteem.
Highly Recommended
01 – Let Go The Line (Live)
02 – Oh War (Live)
03 – Deep Dive (Demo 1982)
04 – Battle Scar (Demo 1979)
05 – Walden 5 (Previously Unreleased Demo 1979)
06 – In The World Of Giants (Demo 1979)
07 – Better (Previously Unreleased Demo 1979)
08 – Madcap Scene & The Dread-Lock Theme (Live)
09 – Research (At Beach Resorts) – No Matches – No Cigarettes (Live)
Kim Mitchell – Guitars, Vocals
Dave Myles – Bass Guitar
Terry Watkinson – Keyboards, Vocals
Gary McCracken – Drums, Percussion
BUY IT
www.amazon.com/Party-MAX-WEBSTER/dp/B074JS9ZXX
