This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Ah, the summer concert season. Is there any more exciting time for a fan?
After all, how often do you get the chance to blow most of your paycheque for the privilege of being crammed into the back row of a stadium’s upper deck, staring for two hours at the butt of the biker in front of you while he dances on his seat, screams “Whooo!” at the top of his lungs every 30 seconds and spills beer on your head? If you’re ready for a less stressful (and less expensive) concert experience, perhaps it’s time to check out this new live album. If you still don’t feel like you’re at a gig, try parking your car two miles away and charging yourself $5 for a bottle of water.
THE TICKET: Spend a languorous 109 minutes with uber-crooner Bryan Ferry, guitarist Phil Manzanera and saxman Andy MacKay — backed by a cadre of tasteful pros — on this two-disc set taped at various stops on their 2001 reunion tour.
SOUND CHECK: Oddly and surprisingly cavernous. In fact, were it not for the stereo separation, I’d swear the boomy, roomy disc was recorded by a bootlegger in the audience instead of through the sound board.
GOLDEN OLDIES: The 22-song set features a career-spanning list of favourites, including More Than This, Ladytron, Mother Of Pearl, Virginia Plain, Love Is The Drug and Do The Strand. Conspicuous by its absence, however, is Pyjamarama.
BIC LIGHTER BALLAD: Avalon and Jealous Guy would be obvious choices, but let’s face it: You could slow-dance to most of Roxy’s catalogue.
ROCK-STAR CLICHE: Well, you certainly can’t accuse Ferry of sucking up to the crowd — there are barely 10 syllables of between-song patter peppered throughout the set.
LAST WORDS: Reunion tours are cash-grabs by their very nature, but at least the Roxy lads make it sound as if they still care, revisiting their old cuts with enthusiasm and balancing their fan-friendly set list with plenty of soaring solos.
https://youtu.be/4SzPzDRon1w
