Back in 2013, the 'classic' line-up of legendary UK boogie rockers Status Quo went on a 9-date tour that was such a success, there really was never a doubt that a grand finale had to happen in 2014. The Frantic Four's Final Fling-Live at the Dublin 02 Arena was recorded in Ireland on April 12, 2014, and now being released as a 2CD set by Eagle Rock Entertainment & earMusic. Featuring the classic '70s line-up of Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Alan Lancaster, and John Coghlan, the band rip through 19 of their most memorable rockers from throughout their long & storied career, as well as many tracks not played live in decades.
Despite the simplicity of much of the Status Quo repertoire, these are songs that just groove and rock hard, their brand of boogie essentially grabs your essence and gets your body & soul shaking with pure rock 'n' roll adrenaline. Mandatory Quo cuts such as "Is There a Better Way", "Caroline", "Bye Bye Johnny", "Big Fat Mama", "Rain", and "Down Down" blend in the set list next to powerful tracks like "Backwater", "Blue Eyed Lady", the charged up "Little Lady", and one of my personal favorites, the heavy rock cut with a great hook, "(April) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays". Rossi & Parfitt's weaving guitar licks work wonders on the hard driving "Forty-Five Hundred Times", and the blistering "Gotta Go Home" lets Rossi lay down plenty of searing lead guitar solos. A rousing rendition of "Roadhouse Blues" adds the icing on the proverbial cake in this splendid boogie fest.
Seeing as Status Quo never quite caught on here in the US (a damn shame), no doubt the UK fans were thrilled to have witnessed this historic live extravaganza over the last year. This line-up of the band have done their reunion thing, and now it's been documented for all time in this kick ass recording. There is also a great booklet packed with awesome photos from the concert if you choose to get the CD version over the digital.
Get yer air guitars out and get ready to boogie!
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
CD 1
'Junior's Wailing'
'Backwater'
'Just Take Me'
'Is There a Better Way'
'Blue Eyed Lady'
'In My Chair'
'Little Lady'
'Most of the Time'
'Rain'
'(April) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays'
'Railroad'
CD 2
'Oh Baby'
'Forty-Five Hundred Times'
'Gotta Go Home'
'Big Fat Mama'
'Down Down'
'Roadhouse Blues'
'Caroline'
'Bye Bye Johnny'
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