Music review: Gong
Gong ****
Audio, Glasgow
Whereas their contemporaries Pink Floyd eventually became bloated and rich, Gong never wavered: they’re still the real psychedelic underground deal. Their swirling stew of progressive rock, avant-garde jazz, proto-punk and quirky English pop is a marvel to behold.
Looking like Elliot Gould on a cosmic journey of self-discovery, mushroom-haired, flying saucer-eyed Torabi is a charismatic centrepiece. He looked utterly thrilled, as well he should.
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Hide AdAided by multi-instrumentalist Ian East’s undulating flute, the undoubted highlight was an arrestingly lengthy piece, presumably titled The Day James Galway Lost His Mind, which began with a mesmeric eastern-via-Jupiter drone before exploding into a thundering prog-punk freak-out.
Impressive new offerings such as The Unspeakable Stands Revealed and the ecstatic title track from Rejoice! (“I’m dead, at last I’m free”) merged seamlessly with cult favourites such as Eat That Phone Book and Camembert Electrique.
Despite being almost 50 years old and containing no original members, Gong are still energised and vital. Longer may they roam.