line up 1 (1967-70)

- Val Feutnes -- drums, backing vocals

- David LaFlamme -- vocals, violin

- Linda LaFlamme -- vocals

- Pattie Santos (RIP 1989) -- vocals, percussion

- Michael Holman -- bass

- Hal Wagnett -- lead guitar

  line up 1 (1970)

- Val Feutnes -- drums, backing vocals

- David LaFlamme -- vocals, violin

- Pattie Santos (RIP 1989) -- vocals, percussion

- Michael Holman -- bass

- Hal Wagnett -- lead guitar

- Fred Webb -- keyboards, backing vocals

  line up 3 (1970-72)

- Bill Gregory -- lead guitar (replaced Hal Wagnett)

- Tom Fowler -- bass (replaced Michael Holman)

- Val Feutnes -- drums, backing vocals

- David LaFlamme -- vocals, violin

- Pattie Santos (RIP 1989) -- vocals, percussion

- Fred Webb  - keyboards, backing vocals

  line up 1 (1967)

- Bill Gregory - - guitar

- Tom Fowler - - bass

- Val Feutnes -- drums, backing vocals

- David LaFlamme -- vocals, violin

- Linda LaFlamme - - vocals

- Pattie Santos (RIP) - - vocals, percussion

- Fred Webb - - keyboards, backing vocals

- David LaFlamme (solo efforts)

- Okustra (David LaFlamme)

- String Cheese (Greg Bloch)

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Live A Carnegie Hall

Company: Columbia

Catalog: KC-31338

Year: 1972

Country/State: California

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: minor ring wear; gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4523

Price: $20.00

Cost: $66.00

I own most of the It's A Beautiful Day catalog, but I've never been a particularly enthusiastic fan.  LaFlamme's lead violin and the group's laidback, hippy-dippy attitude just didn't do much for me.  

Against that backdrop I halfheartedly bought 1972's "Live At Carnegie Hall" at a yard sale for a couple of bucks.  Given the band seldom generated much energy on their studio projects, I guess I was expecting to hear them trotting out a rather bland set of hits and misses.  Turns out I was largely off base.  I never thought I'd say this about It's a Beautiful Day, but much of this album rocks !!!   The big (and pleasant) surprise here is that LaFlamme and company generate a much tougher rock sound in concert than you'd ever expect from their studio sets. Credit LaFlamme for having recruited a first rate band in the form of sizzling guitarist Bill Gregory, bassist Tom Fowler, drummer Val Fuentes, singer Pattie Santos (replacing Linda LaFlamme) and keyboardist Fred Webb.  Recorded in the midst of an American tour to support their recently released ''Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime"collection, the album features five tracks drawn from their first three studio sets.  Curiously, the only song from their recent studio release is the instrumental 'The Grand Camel Suite'.  It's also kind of funny to hear the New York crowd constantly screaming for 'White Bird'.  Those tracks are supplemented by three new non-LP efforts; a blazing cover of Taj Mahal's 'Give Your Woman What She Wants', an equally rocking 'Angels and Animals' and the Fowler-penned 'Going To Another Party'.  Mind you, this isn't going to top anyone's list o favorite concert sets.  LaFlamme's violin is still an acquired taste and Santo's has a penchant for screeching (but then so did Linda LaFlamme).  Still, in balance there's more than enough here to warrant the investment.  

"Live At Carnegie Hall" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Give Your Woman What She Wants   (Taj Mahal) - 3:48

2.) A Hot Summer Day   (Linda LaFlamme - David LaFlamme) - 8:27

3.) Angels and Animals   (Rod Taylor) - 3:53

4.) Bombay Calling (instrumental)   (Linda LaFlamme - David LaFlamme) - 8:25

(side 2)

1.) Going To Another Party   (Tom Fowler) - 4:19

2.) Good Lovin'   (Fred Webb - Marilyn Brodie - Mitchell Holman) - 5:10 

3.) The Grand Camel Suite   (Bill Gregory) - 3:00

4.) White Bird   (David LaFlamme - Linda LaFlamme) - 7:12