Fruupp – Masquerading With Dawn – Live (Bad Pressings, 2022)
Masquerading With Dawn -Live is a rare double live album by progressive rock band Fruup made at Friars, Aylesbury on December 6, 1975. Essentially, it is a previously unreleased bootleg recording that is now released officially by the band.
Fruupp, one of the finest northern Irish rock bands of the 1970s, had recorded a live album in 1975, but unfortunately, the master tapes were destroyed in a fire. However, a recording of the same performance was discovered in Holland years later. The cassette was made by a fan called Roger Pettit, who decided to record the concert himself.
Despite the lower audio quality, it holds great importance as the lost music from the band’s early days. The album features tracks from Fruupp’s limited discography, including their acclaimed final album, Modern Masquerades. The set also includes a previously unreleased song, “On a Clear Day.”
Fruup played masterful symphonic progressive rock with excellent guitar and keyboard work. Despite the audio quality, you can still hear the outstanding instrumental and vocal work.
The live album is accompanied by a booklet with an essay and lyrics. Masquerading With Dawn – Live was remastered by Alan Lowles.
The lineup includes Peter Farrelly on lead vocals, bass; Martin Foye on drums; John Mason on keyboards; and Vincent McCusker on guitar.