"Past Lives"

I have always been and will always be an avid Black Sabbath fan. However, my commitment is limited to their first six albums and the original line-up. When they were at their peak, I dreamed of a live album. Why? The 1970s was the golden age of live albums. Deep Purple released "Made in Japan" in 1972 and Led Zeppelin released "The Song Remains the Same" in 1973. It took nearly 30 years before a live album from their peak period was released. "Past Lives" (great title, by the way) was released in 2002 as a double cd (digipak and later in a standard jewel-case). The first cd is known as "Live at Last" and is not a proper release from the band. The band's former manager Patrick Meehan owned the rights to the recording. The songs were recorded for use in a planned live album release, but the project was ultimately scrapped despite its plans being already promoted. The first cd was recorded at the Hardrock in Manchester, England on 11 March 1973 and at the Rainbow Theatre in London, England, on 16 March 1973. The second cd consists of live recordings made for television and radio, previously only available on bootlegs. I should have been pleased, but I wasn't. First, the live album came too late. By the time of its release, the ship had sailed. Spandex trousers ruled. Second, the arrangements were the same as on the studio albums. Not even a mandatory drum solo. Third, it has a tinny sound despite all the remastering. Shit in, shit out. Still, Black Sabbath were at their peak. Raw and unpolished. "Past Lives" is more about legacy than limelight. As the saying goes, better late than never.