Hawkwindforum

Had delivery of mine yesterday.What a brilliant album it really highlights Both Huw and Gingers great talents, what a lead guitarist Huw is, and Gingers drumming is amazing. Pity we didn't get the full 12/13 minute version of Brainstorm which includes that amazing drum solo of Gingers. Indeed every member of the band comes across really well on this album a truly great sound.
I remember seeing them three times on the 1980 Levitation tour. Each time they had a different Synth/Keyboard player.The first time it was Tim Blake i remember that as one of the best Hawk gigs i have seen. The second had Twink on Synths, the last one was Keith Hayles, a different sound altogether but it was a great gig they all seemed to be really enjoying themselves on stage that night.
I have 3/4 bootlegs from that tour which have the full version of Brainstorm with full drum solo and was hoping it would be featured on this latest album. I also remember seeing an ad last year for Live Cardiff 80 a French release which included the full version of Brainstorm, i wonder whatever happened was it released or not. Maybe we will get a proper recording of it one day.

Been waiting 11 days for the Lev and now its a postal strike. Anyone else had to wait/still waiting?

The first time i heard Levitation was back in the mid-to-late 80's. I remember not being overly fond of it. I didn't own a copy, i borrowed it off a friend.
On first listen to the re-issue my reaction to the original album was pretty much the same, kinda...meh.
There are some good songs in the bonus tracks though.

The live Lewisham disks are great though, IMO.


I've only listened to the 3 disks once threw though, I'll definitely give it another try. My opinion might change over time with this album.

Try listening to it at night when driving. Fantastic. Watch out for those UFO's!

agreed - Levitation is definitely a good night time driving album !!
as indeed is Live '79

Still listning to it . At home when on line and in the car . Great great Album. Looking for ward to Manchester next momth. Hope thers some new merchandise !!!!!!!!

had a look at it in HMV , its one of hawkwinds best albums, i will deffo be buying it

first of all, as almost anyone else, I love the Atomhenge releases. they are beautifully produced and the service at Esoteric is as good as it gets.

but I have some (minor) issues with/questions about Levitation:
-why aren't cd 2+3 on a single cd?
-why is the Hawklords stuff not on 25 Years On (because Calvert is missing? then why not on, say, Live 79?)
-is the original back cover reproduced anywhere in the booklet? I'm not familiar with it so I can't tell
-my cd-box won't stay closed. agreed, it's a very minor issue, but I must say I would've prefered a nice, handy 2-cd release like the other great ones

please don't interpret this as complaining, I truly love the Atomhenge releases, bought every single one and will continue to do so, I was just wondering about the stuff I mentioned.

..I bought a vinyl copy of Levitation in 1980 on Bronze rcords.
I couldn't wait to hear this new album so I raced home and got high on blonde lebanese whilst prepping my stereo for Levitations maiden voyage.

..I'll never forget the clarity and definition of the high notes that I heard that morning.
To me that was a survival point for Hawkwind, either advance with new technology or crash and burn.

..I got the same feeling from this Atomhenge remaster and its clarity.
The live stuff truly personifies the bands sound on stage.
I'm so happy to have the Hawklords Sessions with Simon King as he is one of my favorite drummers of all time.
I think the depature of the Houndmaster was a fatal error on Hawkwind's part.

..I can only be thankful that Richard came along and filled that void.
For this reissue to be able to rekindle the same feelings that I had 30 years ago is well worthy of recognition.
Thanks Atomhenge.

IMO, live or no live, Levitation was and still is in the top 10 of my HW list :)

If you order the deluxe 3CD version, yes it's in a nice little color box, with the 3 CDs and a booklet. Well worth it IMO.