The Chameleons UK

Originally released as Tripping Dogs on Burgess' post-breakup Glass Pyramid imprint, Free Trade Hall captures exactly that - a rehearsal the band did for a concert in between the releases of What and Strange Times. Even more so than the various contemporaneous radio sessions, though with unfortunately flatter sound all around, this collection captures the band's straight live takes on a fair chunk of the What material ("Singing Rule Britannia," "Return of the Roughnecks," "One Flesh," "Home is Where the Heart Is"), half of Script and various other tracks. "Bobby Moore's Wine" turns out to be the killer Strange Times song "Mad Jack" - the music is the familiar rip of the final version, but the lyrics prove radically different, being another Burgess reflection on past youth [Moore being one of the legendary members of the 1966 World Cup winning team]. "In Answer" turns up here as well, while one other track appears only on this edition of the album, a fine version of their cover of "Tomorrow Never Knows." As always, the playing is nothing less than sharp and driving, the singing impassioned, the disc another reminder of the Chameleons' marvelous abilities through and through. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide