This Is Tunng... Live From The BBC [Limited Edition]

Tuung have done many sessions over the years for BBC radio, and this CD collects together a representative sample with songs from all four albums plus a couple of cover versions and a collaboration with Tinariwen.

It's quite a good listen on the whole and the sessions tracks often have a more organic, natural feel than the album versions. However, they could have put a bit more effort into the packaging - it's just a folded card sleeve like you might expect for a CD single rather than an album; and there are some serious omissions and errors in the credits: no songwriting credits at all and no reflection of the changing line-up of the group. Track 4 is given as completely the wrong session (it was actually for Late Junction on Radio 3 in 2009 - the guy from Tinariwen even says 'Late Junction' in the intro) and there are various other mistakes - it looks like a rush job rather than something that's been done with proper care and attention to detail.

I thought it is fair to add a few more comments to this record. Crispy Phosphorous points out the poor presentation of the record. I have to agree. Moreover, do not shape your expectations around the word "live" printed on the cover. Although it says "live" it doesn't feel LIVE. Tracks are based on several BBC studio session where presumably all the musicians played at the same time. So do not expect interaction/interference with/from the audience. Hell, just ignore the word "live" and you are much better served.

That said it is a great record, if you consider the music. Folk influenced pop that does not shy way from incorporating various elements of the world of electronica offered with some decent apolitical semi-hedonistic introspection lyrics. In my view, it is more a stab at a "best of album" than a "live album" in the traditional sense. You will find great version of many of Tunng's classic pieces. Come to think of it, this is better than a "best of album" because many songs are performed differently (to varying degrees) to their album versions. So if you have everything of Tunng then this album still can offer something new. I for instance quite like pumping version of "Pioneers" - itself a Bloc Party cover, it feels even more restless than the original EP version. On the other hand, you will have difficulties to spot the differences in "With Whiskey" on this record compared to the album version - nevertheless a touching song, especially if you like borderline kitsch.

Bottom line: The title of this collection of Tunng songs is somewhat a misnomer, it is not a live "LIVE" album, the presentation is mediocre at best. The CD offers a great cross section of Tunng's work, productions values are high, if you are new to Tunng, this record is a great way to start. But if you know their stuff pretty well, then there is still new stuff to discover. The music is perfect for what it is, certainly worth a 5 star rating but since the whole package rather has some considerable shortcomings you can't go higher than 4 stars.

I really like this album although one or two of the tracks don't sound as good as the original albums versions. Great to have so many good tracks in the one place.