Truth (Live 2015)

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Truth (Live 2015)" by Brian Auger's Oblivion Express from the album Live in Los Angeles, and Zoo Freaks, this track is a gem with some wild stories behind it. Recorded at The Baked Potato on September 13 and 14, 2013, this live version captures the raw energy of Brian Auger’s Hammond B3 organ and Alex Ligertwood’s soaring vocals. One piece of trivia comes from a YouTube interview where Ligertwood mentioned that "Truth" shares roots with a track called "Situation" from his time with the Jeff Beck Group. The song, originally recorded in 1972 for the Second Wind album, was crafted in D-minor, blending Auger’s signature Hammond B3 with a Davoli Electric Piano for a gritty, soulful vibe. Fans on Bandcamp have praised the 2015 live rendition for its “unnachahmliche Groove” (inimitable groove), with one German reviewer noting they saw Auger in Berlin in the early ’80s and were blown away by the song’s extended Hammond improvisations, especially in tracks like "Bumpin’ on Sunset" from the same set.

Another cool story comes from a 2019 interview with Auger on DMME.net, where he reflected on the song’s era. He described the early ’70s Oblivion Express as a boundary-pushing outfit, formed after he ditched a failed jazz-rock commune experiment in The Hague. The band’s early lineup, including guitarist Jim Mullen and drummer Robbie McIntosh (later of Average White Band), brought a fresh jazz-fusion sound to "Truth." Auger shared a memory of playing a Berlin festival in 1970, where 50 audience members booed their colorful Chelsea antique market outfits before they even played a note. Auger, unfazed, addressed the crowd in German, saying, “If you don’t like my clothes, that’s fine, but until you’ve heard my music, you have no right to boo.” The rest of the crowd cheered, and the performance made headlines, cementing the band’s rebellious spirit, which Zoo Freaks can feel pulsing through "Truth (Live 2015)."

Brian Auger’s journey to becoming a jazz-rock legend started in London, where he was born on July 18, 1939. As a kid, he was drawn to his family’s player piano, mimicking melodies by age three. After his home was bombed in 1944 during World War II, he kept playing on any piano he could find, soaking up jazz from Duke Ellington and Count Basie via Armed Forces radio. By his teens, he was hooked on American organ players like Jimmy McGriff and Richard “Groove” Holmes, which shaped his love for the Hammond B3. In 1965, Auger got a big break as a session musician on The Yardbirds’ "For Your Love," playing harpsichord (the only keyboard available) instead of his usual organ. That same year, he formed The Steampacket with Rod Stewart and Julie Driscoll, a supergroup that laid the groundwork for his genre-blending style, mixing jazz, R&B, and soul. By 1970, after parting ways with The Trinity, he launched Oblivion Express, creating a new sound that united Black and white audiences with its rhythm-infused jazz-funk, as noted on Bandcamp.

Zoo Freaks can stay connected with Brian Auger through his official website and social media on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather on the Brian Auger and the Trinity/Oblivion Express Fan Group on Facebook, where they share memories, rare vinyl finds, and tour updates. Another spot for diehards is Progarchives.com, a fan-driven site with detailed discographies and reviews of Auger’s work, including the Live in Los Angeles album. Whether you’re grooving to "Truth" or diving into Auger’s decades-long career, the Zoo Crew knows this track is a testament to his enduring passion for pushing musical boundaries.