sal solo: live!

At the end of 1996, Russ and Pam Taylor felt things had become rather routine and decided to quit. I felt the same way, but as requests continued to come in, I continued to fulfil them, so then there were two! Normally it was just myself, operating a bunch of mini computerised instruments, and samples, and Sue Vale, or another person to operate the projectors throughout 1997. In some ways it could be said the live experience was by now at its peak, in that I had control over every aspect of the music, and having had experience of so many schools, prisons, and other places regularly over a four year period, only the things which really worked were left.

However, I was looking for a new impetus. It appeared there was really nowhere to go with this thing – no prospect of expanding the aims or horizons – no prospect of reaching more people with the message. During the second half of '97, I discovered a great young singer, who I intended to steer to the top as manager, and announced my retirement as an artist. My final UK concert would be in December '97 – my final US tour in February '98.

The manager thing didn't work out and when I went to the USA for the February tour, I didn't really know what I would do afterwards. Strangely though, the "retirement" was a freeing thing, and the next tour turned out to be much more relaxed and easier than before, and the whole thing was suddenly fresh again. Another US tour was organised for the summer, and a tour in Germany for November.

In the USA during the February tour, almost every album we had sold out. For years people had been talking about the live experience, and before I finally put an end to it, it seemed a good idea to make a live album. After all, it would be the best songs from all the other albums, with the crowd participation, and some of the talks. For years people had been asking for recordings of the talks.

A secret London date was arranged in the spring of '98 and recorded. The album LIVE! Was ready by June. Those who have passed it around report that it is very effective with their neighbours and family who are not into Church! I always had reservations about whether talking on an album could work, but as the talks are usually no more than a minute and a half, it seems that a short and to the point message is what many people want to hear – and maybe the only way to get them interested.

This album is no longer available.