Bachman-Turner Overdrive were one of the biggest hard rock bands of the mid '70s, but despite their massive album sales and sold out tours, their time at the top didn't make it out of that decade and resulted in more breakups and reunions that anyone can count in the ensuing years before the band ultimately went dormant for quite some time. Fast forward to 2010 and Randy Backman (guitars & vocals) and C. Fred Turner (bass & vocals) reunited for a self-titled album as Bachman & Turner and tour, with their November 16th stop at New York's Roseland Ballroom being recorded for this 2CD live set as well as a future DVD & Blu-ray to be released later this year.
Along with Bachman & Turner are Marc LaFrance (drums, percussion, vocals), Brent Howard Knudsen (guitars, vocals), and Mick Dalla-Vee (guitars, vocals). Together the band rip through plenty of BTO classics as well as tracks from the Bachman & Turner album.There are no shortage of fiery heavy rock numbers from BTO's prime to be found in this set, such as "Let It Ride", "Not Fragile", "Four Wheel Drive", "Stayed Awake All Night", "Hey You", "Roll Onn Down the Highway", and the crunchy "Sledgehammer", as well as the big hits "Takin' Care of Business" , "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet", and the Guess Who monster "American Woman". Nice to also hear the jazzier numbers "Lookin' Out For #1" and "Blue Collar", but the best part is how well the new tunes like "Slave to the Rhythm", "That's What It Is", and "Rolling Along" sound alongside the old classics. These new tunes fit right into the set, chock full of catchy yet heavy riffs and anthemic choruses in fine BTO tradition.
Those old veterans do not disappoint one bit here. Bachman, along with Knudsen & Dalla-Vee, lays down a wide assortment of heavy rock riffs and tasty solos throughout the set, and both Bachman & Turner still bring the goods vocally with their trademark gravelly singing styles. A cover of "Shakin' All Over", done up in full hard rock mode much like The Who did back in the early '70s, is a nice surprise here.
Live at the Roseland Ballroom , NYC is a really fun and powerful live album from two rock veterans and their hot band, showing that these classic tunes still kick ass here in 2012, and that their new material does the old BTO name proud. The booklet that comes with this 2CD live set leaves a little to be desired, as there's little in the way of live photos or info, but perhaps they are saving that for the DVD and Blu-ray releases. Regardless, this is a live album you won't want to miss if you love BTO or '70s hard rock.
Track Listing
Disc 1:
1. Let it Ride 4:34
2. Rock Is My Life 4:46
3. Not Fragile 4:34
4. Hey You 3:44
5. Hold Back the Water 4:25
6. Waiting Game 4:39
7. Moonlight Rider 4:18
8. Lookin' Out For #1 4:30
9. Stayed Awake All Night 4:03
10. American Woman 2:46
Disc 2:
1. Four Wheel Drive 4:51
2. Slave To the Rhythm 4:21
3. Blue Collar 6:58
4. That's What It Is 3:48
5. Sledgehammer 4:50
6. Rollin' Along 3:49
7. You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet 4:52
8. Shakin' All Over 3:31
9. Roll On Down The Highway 4:24
10. Takin' Care Of Business 4:51
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