BAD COMPANY - Live At Wembley [ltd. edition 3CD] (2011)

Limited Edition triple CD set





Bad Company had not performed in the UK for 31 years with the original lineup before last year’s tour.

The band returned home triumphantly with an amazing show that featured drummer Simon Kirke, guitarist Mick Ralphs and vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Paul Rodgers.

Bad Co. was welcomed home like troops returning from a victorious battle. In return, they put 110% effort into this concert, now released as "Live At Wembley".



Joining to the line up guitarist Howard Leese (who previously worked with Heart) and Lynn Sorenson on bass and piano, the band played with soul and Rodgers amazed all with his ability to defy time.

His looks, playing skills and voice are all as strong, if not stronger, than they have ever been.

Bad Company launched its crisply show with "Can't Get Enough,'' a bit of bluesy yearning that serves not only as a signature hit but also a template for the band's work: narrative lyrics, chunky guitar hooks, disciplined grooves.

For "Run with the Pack," Rodgers stood to play a black piano and added the first of several soulful vocal tags at the end.

Lightening the mood, the band's hit cover of the Coasters' "Young Blood" was simple fun, while the gorgeous ballad "Seagull" found Rodgers and Ralphs alone at the front of the stage on acoustic guitars.



Some harder-edged rock came via "Gone Gone Gone" (from 1979's Desolation Angels). Then Rodgers was back at the piano for the tranquil "Electric Land," which the frontman said was inspired by Paris. He had no problem with the sustained vocal notes.

Leese's 12-string guitar work on the extended intro to "Simple Man" shimmered; Rodgers infused the contemplative song with bluesy vocalizations.

The subtle folk accents on "Feel Like Makin' Love" were freshened up and elevated live, thanks to Leese's mandolin work and Rodgers' harmonica solo. Audience members loudly sang along at Rodgers' prodding, but did so even more boisterously during the poignant casualty tale "Shooting Star."

Despite its non-hit status, that track's reception is equal to that of "Rock and Roll Fantasy" and "Movin' On."

For the encores, Bad Company offered up a laid-back "Ready for Love," with dreamier guitar effects that verged on the psychedelic, plus more of Rodgers' bluesy inflections. Both he and Ralphs playfully leaned on each other a few times, proving the old camaraderie remained intact.





During the past 40 years, Rodgers and Co., haven't lost any of the passion for the music that they had in the early years.

Every one of the 15 songs on "Live At Wembley" is delivered as though they were introducing it the first time, and the pacing of the songs gave both the band and the fans the chance to build to energy-packed final tunes.

With the adding of Leese to the line-up (a regular in Rodgers's solo band), Bad Company boasts a fuller sound. The 66-year-old Ralphs and Leese nicely shared lead guitar duties while the 61-year-old Kirke pounded his drum kit like a man half his age.

But it is the extraordinaire Rodgers the total charmer here, a versatile and complete musician, as he played piano, harmonica and handled acoustic guitars. At age 60, Paul still has his full vocal power, and is more inclined to improvise around his original parts.

"Live At Wembley" isn't another 'live' album for the sake of.

This recording documents better than ever the class of this legendary band with full production and terrific sound, produced, mixed and mastered by Bruce Gowdy (Unruly Child, Glenn Hughes, Frederiksen/Phillips).





Limited Edition triple CD set



Disc 1:

1. Can’t Get Enough

2. Honey Child

3. Running with the Pack

4. Young Blood

5. Seagull

6. Gone Gone Gone



Disc 2:

1. Electric Land

2. Simple Man

3. Feel Like Making Love

4. Shooting Star

5. Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy

6. Movin’ On



Disc 3:

1. Ready for Love

2. Bad Company

3. Deal with the Preacher







Paul Rodgers - Vocals

Mick Ralphs - Guitar

Howard Leese - Guitar

Lynn Sorensen - Bass

Simon Kirke - Drums



Produced, mixed and mastered by Bruce Gowdy & Guy Allison









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