The Durutti Column's
Live at the Venue was initially released as a limited edition of 4,000 vinyl copies in 1983. This 2004 edition is an even rarer beast, because it's limited to 1,000 copies. The new edition is a copy of one of the original vinyl records, as the master no longer exists. The legend of the original recording is as interesting as Vini Reilly's performance. After a low-key yet thrilling set, Reilly and company were approached by a live-recordings dealer who traveled in a cream Rolls Royce. The gent had mysteriously come upon a soundboard mix of the concert, and he was eager to put it to market. He forked over the necessary cash, and the contract was forged on a napkin. Whether or not he was exercising good business sense, Reilly was wielding his guitar with grace in this era; that's not to say there was ever a time when he didn't. His bandmates offer fine electronic and percussive accompaniment. Listening to these 11 songs is the next best thing to being in the room with the young musical experimenter. The track listing features a fine sampling of songs from
The Return of the Durutti Column,
LC, and
Another Setting, as well as variations on themes and melodies that would feature later in his career. The quality of the recording is quite good, as one would expect from a soundboard bootleg; the respectful audience is heard only in restrained applause between songs. Reilly's vocals are clean and clear, and his every strum and pick shine through. It's quite interesting to hear how similar a live
Durutti Column performance is to a studio recording. It's this sense of similarity that makes
Live at the Venue somewhat inessential for fans. Inessential, but still enlightening. ~ Tim DiGravina