Talk Talk: Live at Montreux 1986

On 27/02/2019 the lead singer of Talk Talk, Mark Hollis passed away from a short illness. He was 64. I was always a fan of Talk Talk's 80's singles. In 2009 I came across this concert on the Sky Arts channel. It completely blew me away. After watching it I ordered the full concert on DVD. I was hooked. This is a masterclass in live performing. Mark Hollis is one of the few singers that is as good probably better live. The concert shows a tight group performing with no gimmicks just playing perfectly. The concert introduced me to many of their songs I hadn't heard before and there isn't a dull one played. I've played this back to back many times. Thank god the DVD doesn't wear out! It is my go to playlist on my phone and it never fails to entertain. Fans of 80's music and live performances will be hard pressed to find a more timeless and flawless act. RIP Mark Hollis a music legend.

Sadly Mark Hollis checked out of the rock world on 25th February 2019, ending any speculation of either any further solo work or a Talk Talk reunion. What Mark Hollis left us with, was a back catalog of wealth in music.

Mark Hollis and Talk Talk were undoubtedly shy, secretive and above all reclusive. Therefore, for a piece of of concert footage to be available let alone a whole concert, we must grab it. I believe every Talk Talk die hard still to this day lives with the hope of the concert "London 1986" becoming available on dvd. Until such a time "Talk Talk Live At Montreux 1986" is here in its entirety. Recorded on a summers night on 11th July 1986 in Switzerland the band are captured in outstanding form. Talk Talk, Rupert Black, John Turnbull, Ian Curnow, Leroy Williams and Phil Reis are the pool of musicians who put every effort into capturing a sound that we can only sit back and marvel at. The musicianship is probably something we will never see / hear again. Playing 14 songs across their first 3 albums there is not 1 song that falters. Everyone will have their fave song but to myself, the stand out track is "Does Caroline know" so far removed from the album version this version captures a band who hit every note at that moment. Even as Talk Talk go, this 8 minute 11 second version , well I cant even put into words how special this is. You will also find outstanding moments as you listen to "My Foolish Friend","Living In Another World" and "Such A Shame" The bands biggest European hits "Lifes What You Make It" and "Its My Life" are also included in the set list. All die hard Talk Talk fans will already have a copy of this but if you're wanting to find out what all the fuss is about this band, sit back and enjoy 1 hour and 27 minutes of pure music. Talk Talk were a band who belonged to the 80s era without stepping inside, they were a band who paved the way with groundbreaking albums in 88 and 91 and when it was over it was over. No swansongs and sadly no goodbyes. Mark, Lee, Paul and Tim, thank you.

What can or can't be said about this band. To sum them up , they were truly amazing and this live performance shows their depth. The film captures the entire set played out on 11.07.86 in Switzerland.

Talk Talk were always a tight private band and the setlist of 1.Talk Talk , 2. Dum Dum Girl ,3. Call in the Night Boy ,4.Tomorrow Started ,5.My Foolish Friend, 6.Life's What You Make It, 7.Does Caroline Know , 8.It's You 9. Living in Another World, 10.Give It Up , 11.It's My Life 12. I Don't Believe in You , 13.Such a Shame and14.Renée , shows them at a time when they were at their peak to their ultimate. Much credit must go to the session musicians who many had previously played either live with Talk Talk on previous tours or were touring off the back of having completed the recent "Colour of Spring" recording. The musicianship is outstanding.

This film recording was actually the promotional tour for that album and to myself the standout track is "Does Caroline Know" the heart and soul given to the music and vocals during this song, words just can not express it. It's something you have to see and hear. The filming and sound is good and the band more than play their part. In-fact the bands performance is sublime.

We all know that locked away and unreleased for whatever reason, is the much spoken of Talk Talk "London 1986" live in concert , so until such a time that's released, we have "Live at Montreux 1986".

Sadly lead singer Mark Hollis passed away after a short illness on 25.02.2019 so enjoy the rich legacy of music he left behind in whatever format you can get.

I love Talk Talk. Since I first heard their Colour of the Spring album out of a music shop in a subway in Vienna back in 1987. I refreshed listening to their albums recently, thank to streaming. I thought they are surely not good at concert, but I found this show on YT and I have to conclude that I was not right. This is a perfect performance with outstanding musicians. One like Talk Talk music will love this concert, which is unique, as not much live music can be found around with them. It is a pity, because their succesive 2 studio albums might even be better than the formers. But nevertheless, the last two ones might mot be well performed live... The 1986 Talk Talk show in Montreaux is highly recommended delicious masterpiece, a real treasure from the 80s.