RATINGS: A = must own B = buy it C= average D = yawn F = puke
Bachman & Turner – Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC
Eagle Records
www.eaglerockent.com
Rating: B
Recorded on November 16, 2010 in New York City at the legendary Roseland Ballroom, Randy Bachman and Fred Turner, minus the Overdrive, laid down a set of twenty classic songs to the sheer enjoyment for all in attendance.
Opening with one of their biggest hits, “Let It Ride,” the concert gets better with each song. Of course the most iconic tunes are included as “Hey You,” “Lookin’ Out For # 1,” “Not Fragile,” “Four Wheel Drive,” “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet,” “Roll on Down the Highway” and “Takin’ Care of Business” keep the energy of the concert on high throughout.
Not just the hits get the crowd going, though, as lesser known songs from their 2010 release fit nicely into the set list. New tunes include “Moonlight Rider,” “That’s What It Is” and “Rollin’ Along.” Other songs, “Rock is My Life” and “Stayed Awake All Night” rock hard and sound great.
Fred Turner has gotten a tad gruffer but the gravel in his voice sounds great! Randy Bachman plays and sounds as good as he ever has. The band throws in the tune “American Woman” from Randy’s days with the Guess Who, which was a nice surprise.
This concert CD is proof that bands can stay on top of their game and perform with precision and passion so long as they still believe in their music and themselves. Legal issues may keep the band from using the word ‘Overdrive’ but rest assured the music these guys play definitely kicks into high gear from the opening note to the final encore.
By Jeb Wright
