Saga – Heads or Tales LIVE (Eagle)

Saga’s 1983 album Heads or Tales remains a pivotal album among the band’s 19 studio projects, and a fan favorite. Although it was the follow-up which failed to capitalize upon the US commercial success of Worlds Apart, it was Saga’s highest charter in other parts of the world – and a linchpin to the band’s continued popularity in Europe.

Set list mainstays in the twenty-eight years since Heads or Tales‘ release, “The Flyer,” “Cat Walk,” “Scratching the Surface” and “The Pitchman” are all included in the running order. Their live versions are rendered with the spark and thunder of Brian Doerner, the band’s drummer since 2006 (whose first official act in Saga was to anchor Trust, the band’s exceptional return to form during that year). The precision and meticulous interplay of veteran members Jim Gilmour (keys) and Ian Crichton (guitar) fan that ignition into full burn.

Though founding frontman Michael Sadler has since returned to the fold, this live set documents fine work by Rob Moratti during his relatively short tenure as Saga’s singer. Hearing this material sung by someone other than Sadler is initially unusual, but it’s just fleetingly strange – unlike, for example, my recent experience hearing Yes perform their greatest hits without Jon Anderson at the microphone. Moratti’s pure, agile tenor is well suited to the material here. The set benefits further from Moratti’s committed performance, with no evidence whatsoever of “cover band” syndrome. For those with long memories regarding independent progressive music, Moratti’s voice is comparable to that of Tim Brooks from early 90’s Midwest art-rockers Animator.

Although Sadler is welcome back in the fold, Saga and their audience were lucky to have Moratti keeping his spot warm and taking the lead for the band’s 2009 album The Human Condition. The open-minded listeners among Saga’s longtime devotees should find that Heads or Tales LIVE is well worth repeat play, breathing new life into some dusty old favorites.