Barry Sakharov - Live 93-02 - (NMC)

There isn't a musician in Israel who is as innovative as rock veteran Barry Sakharov. With each album Sakharov breaks new ground. From the slick pop of Hakol O Klum (All or Nothing) to the dark garage rock of Simanim Shel Holeshet (Signs of Weakness) to the electronic Middle Eastern stylings of Negiot (Touches), Sakharov has pioneered a style of Israeli rock unaffected by the standard folk musings of the majority of popular Israeli singer-songwriters.

While his peers were singing and dancing in IDF entertainment groups, Sakharov was in Europe performing with one of the most influential art-rock acts of the Eighties, Minimal Compact. Formed with fellow Israeli musician Rami Fortes, Minimal Compact was a new-wave band that enjoyed relative success.

Upon his return to Israel, Sakharov used his experiences abroad to create an esoteric sound that can best be described as an amalgamation of hard rock and electronica, with pop leanings and Middle Eastern influences.

While every Sakharov album is a cut above average, he truly shines when he plays live. His most recent release, Live 93-02 not only demonstrates the evolution of Sakharov's sound from album to album but highlights his unique skill in crafting guitar hooks that are catchy but rock driven.

Live 93-02 consists of two discs filled with concert material spanning his career from 1993-2002. Some of his more polished studio tracks such as "Lahatz" (Pressure) and "Lev Shalem" (A Complete Heart) become much darker and energized on the stage.

Other arrangements change dramatically - most with excellent results. "Yomoledet" (Birthday), a track originally on Ham Al Hayareah (Hot on the Moon) and later rerecorded with Israeli trance group, Infected Mushroom, is given new life when played live.

An acoustic third disc is also included, featuring stripped-down versions of some of Sakharov's harder and edgier tracks. Two of his heaviest and most aggressive songs, "Cama Yossi" (How Yossi?) and "Ra'ash Lavan" (White Noise) are reworked. While "Cama Yossi" becomes more accessible than the original version, "Ra'ash Lavan" is distant and may be a bit too hard for new fans to digest. Two highlights of this disc are covers of David Bowie's "Heroes" and Robert Wyatt's "Sea Song."

Live 93-02 isn't an album for Rami and Rita fans. This is rock and roll. It's raw and it's meant to be played loud. Sakharov wouldn't want it any other way.