Bill Nelson and the Gentlemen Rocketeers: Live In Concert At Metropolis Studios, London

Where does one start when discussing a guitar icon? The incomparable Bill Nelson is at it again. We should consider ourselves lucky this enigmatic guitarist still has his what it takes. For those of you unfamiliar with his work, he has over one hundred albums to his credit; solo artist and leader of the art rock bands Red Noise and Be Bop Deluxe. This three disc collection (2 CDs/1 DVD) is an expansive set and does a great job overviewing Nelson's forty plus year career.

This is a live concert filmed at Metropolis Studios, London and the setting is as intimate one can get. Let's just say the room was packed with only 120 people in attendance. It's a wonderful idea for a concert and Nelson and his band of Rocketeers did not disappoint. The concert kicked off with the new wave pop of "The October Man", taken from his 1982 solo album The Love That Matters. Nelson's rich tenor voice is still intact and the band is as tight as ever with nice solos from Nelson and Theo Travis (sax). What I have always liked about Nelson is his contemplative side which can be heard in the stellar "Night Creatures" with its head sticking earworms and in the poignant "Adventures In A Yorkshire Landscape", having one of the most gorgeous melodies of the set. It also featured some the best solos of the night; flute, bass and tradeoffs between Travis'sax and Nelson's guitar.

Other stand out tracks include the hard driving "Furniture Music", taken from his Red Noise project and always reminded me a little of the Talking Heads and the beautifully sung "Lovers Are Mortal" featuring some of Travis' best work yet. The punky Be Bop Deluxe tune "Maid In Heaven", taken from the 1975 release Futurama, is also a fun ride as is the blistering "Sister Seagull" punctuated with Nelson's soaring guitar.

The concert ends with the irresistibly catchy "Panic In The World", another fine choice from the Be Bop canon.

The second disc focuses on Nelson's solo guitar and features two lovely tributes; "A Dream For Ian" (Nelson's brother who played in Red Noise) and "For Stuart" (a nod to guitarist Stuart Adamson of Big Country fame).

The audio and video quality is very good as well. The DVD features the entire concert plus a seventeen minute bonus interview where Nelson provides insight on his career, his guitars and everything in between.

If you are a fan of Bill Nelson and/or Be Bop Deluxe this live album is a must have. Enough said.

Track Listing:
CD1
1. The October Man
2. Night Creatures
3. God Man Slain
4. Contemplation
5. Lady You're A Strange Girl
6. Adventures In A Yorkshire Landscape
7. Furniture Music
8. Do You Dream In Colour
9. Ships In The Night
10. Lovers Are Mortal
11. Maid In Heaven
12. Sister Seagull
13. Wonder Of The Moment
14. Panic In The World

CD2
1. Beyond These Clouds The Sweetest Dream
2. Golden Dream Of Circus Horses
3. A Dream For Ian
4. For Stuart

DVD
Same track listing as the CDs.

Added: June 22nd 2013
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 3341
Language: english

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