Vanilla Fudge might be one of the strangest but also coolest bands to come out of the 1960s. Really, progressive rock didn't exist yet, but their sound was such a part of the kind of the thing that would become prog. Typically it's considered proto-prog. What is proto-prog when it's brought into the modern era of progressive rock, though? It's prog. This live recording from 2016 shows that the band really have what it takes to continue the fine Vanilla Fudge tradition. The line-up here is Mark Stein, Carmine Appice, Vince Martell and Pete Bremy.

This set includes both a DVD of the show and a CD. That's a great thing in my book. I just didn't know for sure which was the main item. Since the cover says, "DVD + CD," I made the decision that it's a video first and included it in that section.

These guys do the classics you expect from there "You Keep Me Hanging On," "She's Not There," "Shotgun" and "Season of the Witch." They throw some other interesting songs out there, too, like "I'm a Believer," "Break on Through" and "Dazed and Confused." It's all captured with the type of cool sound you expect from Vanilla Fudge. The video and audio quality are both quite good. If there's a complaint to be made it's that there are no bonus features. Still, that's a minor quibble.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2017  Volume 6 at  garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2017.