"Colosseum Live" is a live album from the English rock band Colosseum that was released in 1971. The band, heavily influenced by jazz and blues, was known for their ability to fuse a variety of musical genres such as rock, jazz, and blues into their sound. This album was recorded at concerts in Manchester and Brighton in March 1971.
The album includes epic renditions of tracks from their earlier studio albums and showcases the band’s talent for improvisation. It features classics like "Lost Angeles," "Walking in the Park," and "Rope Ladder to the Moon". The album consists of two records, offering a full-color art gatefold cover.
Critics often praised the performances on "Colosseum Live" for their balance between precision and freewheeling energy. Despite the fact that the album was not a major chart success, it has been widely recognized for its sonic quality and expressive nature and has since become one of the most respected albums of the rock-jazz fusion genre.
The band members during the recording of this album are Chris Farlowe on vocals, Dave Greenslade on keyboards and vibraphone, Dick Heckstall-Smith on saxophones and flute, Jon Hiseman on drums, Mark Clarke on bass, and Clem Clempson on guitars. This makes up the classic Colosseum lineup, and their combined effort is what made this album a monumental milestone in their discography.
Ultimately, "Colosseum Live" stands as an example of the band's distinctive sound and scope, testament to its enduring legacy in the progression of jazz and rock fusion.
