Review by Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
3½ stars out of 4
Blue Öyster Cult is celebrating their 30th anniversary this
year. What better way to party than to release a live album? It has
been 20 years since their last live release. It does not seem that
long, but then it never does. Just a few short months ago in the windy
city of Chicago, BOC recorded "A Long Days Night." I immediately thought
of the Beatles' "Hard Days Night" when I saw the title. Recorded on
the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year, the album
was given birth. This is BOC in their prototypical element. Some of
you may remember one of the greatest live recordings ever, "On Your
Feet or on Your Knees" from 1975, this is good reminder of that two-album set.
All of the classics are covered, "Stairway To The Stars" (Self-Titled
1st album), "Burning For You" (Fire of Unknown Origin), "Don't Fear
The Reaper" (Agents of Fortune), which fittingly ends the night, "Harvest
Moon" (Heaven Forbid), and the incredible "Astronomy" (Secret Treaties).
You know all the rest, those happen to be my personal favorites. Whatever
songs are your favorites; you will find something you can be tuned
in and turned on to. All of these songs still give me an adrenaline-pumping
chill. "Buck's Boogie" sounded fantastic! Donald Roeser goes in some
different directions on his rockin' boogie instrumental, although
he always does that when he plays the song live. It is a flexible
and changeable number, and it effortlessly sways and churns along
according to Roeser's mood and resourcefulness. The music travels
as the captain steers the ship, and that is undoubtedly Buck Dharma.
Every track offers different and longer versions of the studio cuts,
and that keeps it fresh for all of you old time BOC fans that have
heard the same songs over and over again in the studio and in live settings.
Eric Bloom looks the same in the concert pictures provided in the
CD sleeve as he did when I saw them play at the Palace Theater in
Albany, NY in 1976. He still has the magic touch and knows how to
work the crowd. He is the master of the stage when they perform.
The band always seems to come up with eye catching cover art, and
this CD has one of the best that I have seen yet. It has become one
their trademarks, besides their unique and original sound. Whether
you have seen them as their alias Soft White Underbelly or
BOC, they are the real deal. They continue to offer some of the best
live music anywhere in the world. Make sure you pick up a copy of
this from one of New York's finest. A DVD/VHS of this concert including
additional tracks will follow in October, just in time for Halloween.
1. Stairway To The Stars
2. Burning For You
3. Od'd On Life Itself
4. Dance On Stilts
5. Buck's Boogie
6. Quicklime Girl
7. Harvest Moon 8. Astronomy
9. Cities On Flame
10. Perfect Water
11. Lips In The Hills
12. Godzilla
13. Don't Fear The Reaper
Credits:
Eric Bloom-Vocals, guitar, keyboards
Allen Lanier-Keyboards, guitars
Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser-Guitars, vocals
Danny Martin-Bass, vocals
Bobby Rondinelli-Drums, percussion
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