Midnight Special / US TV Soundtrack

 

Date:  August 5, 1973
Venue:
Alexandra Palace, London
Grade:  A
Sound:  Original Source
Total Running Time:  11 minutes 28 Seconds
Source:  TV Broadcast Recording
Artwork:  CHA

Track Listing:
1. Stealin'
2. Sweet Freedom

Lineup / Credits:  Mick Box (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals) / David Byron (Lead Vocals) / Ken Hensley (Keyboards, Guitar, Backing Vocals) / Gary Thain (Bass, Backing Vocals) / Lee Kerslake (Drums, Backing Vocals)

Comments:

Three appearances on The Midnight Special TV show were broadcast in the USA.  The first of such dates was filmed on August 5, 1973 during the London Music Festival.  Possibly filmed before the concert itself, two songs are documented, Stealin' and Sweet Freedom.  The official broadcast date was on September 28, 1973 on episode #36 with show host Seals and Crofts, special guest included T Rex and Arlo Guthrie among others.  These videos were done as lip sync but improvisation is evident in the broadcast recording.   These are the only two sources of these recordings we have uncovered at this point in time.

The two other appearances were recorded on a date which remains unknown at present.  Four songs were recorded for use on this show or others, same lineup except with John Wetton on bass.  On episode #127 which was aired on August 15, 1975, hosted by Helen Reddy they preformed Devil's Daughter, Return to Fantasy and Prima Donna.   Other quest stars on this show were Glenn Campbell and Gwen McCrae.  No video or audio of these songs has surfaced to date.  

The last remaining song from this session was broadcast on episode #148 on January 23, 1976 hosted as well by Helen Reddy.  Special guest on this broadcast included Petula Clark, Natalie Cole, CW McCall, Ted Neely and comedian Billy Braver.  The one song broadcast was Shady Lady, we may have a low quality video source to get the audio from, but that is still in question for now.     

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