Quick Picks reviews of live albums, reissues and a 1970 Dutch festival

By Dave Thompson

We've got live albums, front-row seats to a 1970 Dutch music festival, a deluxe reissue set featuring both vinyl and CD formats and an American spin on English traditional music up for review in this edition of Quick Picks.

The Sweet
"Live at the Marquee 1986"
Angel Air (CD)
Genre: ’70s pop
Highlights: “Love Is Like Oxygen,” “Fox On The Run”
Summary: A decade past their sell-by date, but The Sweet rebound around guitarist Andy Scott for a fiery recounting of all that made the band marvelous.
OUR TAKE: BUY

Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer
"Child Ballads"
Wilderland (CD)
Genre: Folk/Traditional
Highlights: “Riddles Wisely Expounded,” “Tam Lin”
Summary: Two top U.S. folkies tackle seven of England’s top trad tunes, rewiring and revitalizing even the most familiar. Truly captivating and contagious.
OUR TAKE: BUY

Hawkwind
"Warrior on The Edge of Time"
Atomhenge/Cherry Red (CD + LP box set)
Genre: Space rock
Highlights: “The Golden Void Part 2,” “Opa-Loka”
Summary: Resplendent in a goodies stuffed box, 2 CDs, vinyl and a 5.1 mix, Hawkwind’s mid-70s masterpiece remains as excessive and electric as ever.
OUR TAKE: BUY

Quicksilver Messenger Service
"Live at the Fillmore, June 7, 1968"
Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra (CD, LP)
Genre: Psychedelia
Highlights: “Mona,” “Who Do You Love”
Summary: A blistering performance from one of psych’s most glorious experiences, QMS at the peak of their powers, hypnotic, howling and heavy. Jam on!
OUR TAKE: BUY

Various Artists
"The Dutch Woodstock"
Gonzo Multimedia (CD/DVD)
Genre: Classic rock
Highlights: Pink Floyd, Soft Machine
Summary: At last a release for the 1970 festival that drew in everyone from the Airplane and Santana to T. Rex and Family. Great sound, killer vision.
OUR TAKE: BUY