B.O.C. Blue Oyster Cult/CA,USA 1988

Blue Oyster Cult’s performance in San Rafael, California on April 30th, from their spring 1988 US tour before the release of their concept album “IMAGINOS”, is now available for the first time as a powerful FM air check source! This work uses the 1st generation master provided by overseas enthusiasts. With a superb balance comparable to a leaked soundboard and outstanding clarity approaching the official, you can enjoy the precious live performance of that time! Blue Oyster Cult was nicknamed “New York’s cold madness” in the ’70s and was also touted as “the original heavy metal” in the ’80s. They reached the peak of their career with “FIRE OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN” in 1981. However, in the ’80s, their commercial sound gradually moved away from the underground image of the band in the early ’70s, leading to the split of the original lineup. The new studio album “IMAGINOS” released in July 1988 with the original lineup was met with high expectations from fans. However, in reality, Sandy Pearlman, who produced the early band, had been working on it with former member Albert Bouchard since 1982. However, record companies were not interested in “Albert Bouchard’s solo work”. Therefore, current members Eric Bloom and “Buck Dharma” Donald Luther, as well as original members Alan Rainier and Joe Bouchard (Albert’s younger brother), cooperated and completed the album with the participation of guest players. It was released as Blue Oyster Cult’s new work. In 1988, Blue Oyster Cult (hereafter B.O.C.) was in a critical situation of breaking up due to the poor reviews of their 1986 album “CLUB NINJA”. Nevertheless, in the latter half of 1987, Alan Rainier was brought back, and the rhythm section of John Rogers (bass) and Ron Riddle (drums) were added to rebuild the band. They continued touring. Although they never reunited with the original lineup or went on a reunion tour, “IMAGINOS” is a noteworthy work as it marked the start of B.O.C.’s rebuilding of the band and their current live band. Let’s take a look at the situation and tour dates in 1988. January 1st to February 6th: US Tour #1 (16 shows) February 23rd to March 8th: European Tour (13 shows) March 23rd to May 14th: US Tour #2 (34 shows) ← This work is here in July: “IMAGINOS” released July 15th to December 31st: US Tour #3 (54 shows) ← New songs are included (there is a break from touring in August. There are only three shows in September) The number is a whopping 120 shows (including two two-day shows)! Even though their peak has passed, the band’s energy touring all over the United States has shown that they are still alive and well. B.O.C. is also known for having many live radio broadcasts, and the following four were broadcast in 1988: March 26th, San Jose, California April 30th, San Rafael, California (this work is here) October 28th, San Francisco, California November 4th, Sacramento, California In addition, the New Haven, Connecticut performance on January 3rd, 1989 was also broadcast on the radio. (Released by the Uxbridge label as “IN THE PRESENCE OF ANOTHER WORLD”). This work uses the 1st generation air check master of the San Rafael, California performance on April 30th, 1988 (broadcast by Orlando, California station KRQR), which boasts one of the highest sound quality (or is it the best?) of these five radio sources. Enjoy the live performance just before the release of “IMAGINOS” with the best sound that is close to the official one! The show starts with the intro using the main theme of the movie “Blade Runner” as the opening, followed by the groovy “R.U. Ready To Rock”, and then the famous song “Dominance And Submission”. This is the B.O.C. live! The solid and skilled performance and Eric’s thick singing voice will make the listeners feel comfortable and rock. The sound that has been carefully corrected from the original master is also excellent in clarity. The noise seen in the master has been corrected as much as possible. Since “IMAGINOS” has not yet been released at this point, the new songs from the album have not yet been set, but the set list is full of representative songs from the debut work to “THE REVOLUTION BY NIGHT” in 1983! This is also a major feature of this live recording! “Buck’s Boogie” is one of the climaxes in the first half of the live. Eric and Donald’s twin guitars, woven together in perfect harmony, are intertwined with Alan Rainier’s keyboards. The rhythm section of John Rodgers and Ron Riddle is just as good as the original members, making the seven-minute instrumental an engaging listen. The following songs, “Flaming Telepaths” and “Then Came The Last Days Of May,” will reaffirm the band’s melodic charm. From here, the live performance accelerates! The “SECRET TREATIES” numbers “Me 262” and “Harvester Of Eyes” are played hard and heavy, while “Joan Crawford” and “Burnin’ For You” from “FIRE OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN” appeal to the theatrical and commercial feel of the ’80s, fully depicting the band’s charm. The 85-minute live performance will be a blast, with the band concluding with “Godzilla” including the drum solo and the band’s signature song “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” (it’s a shame that the coda is missing!). After the release of “IMAGINOS”, the live performance including the new songs at that time was available on the aforementioned “IN THE PRESENCE OF ANOTHER WORLD” (Uxbridge 299), but the performance in the spring of 1988, the night before, with a set of the best songs, had not been known. This work is the missing link that connects the live performance at the time of “CLUB NINJA” and the show after “IMAGINOS”. It will be enjoyed not only by hardcore B.O.C. enthusiasts, but also by light fans who want to enjoy a live performance full of great songs with good sound. Another masterpiece has been born from Blue Oyster Cult’s live recordings, which are full of excellent material! Live at New George’s, San Rafael, CA. USA 30th April 1988 SBD Disc 1(38:52) 1. Intro 2. R U Ready To Rock 3. Dominance And Submission 4. ETI 5. Bucks Boogie 6. Flaming Telepaths 7. Take Me Away Disc 2(44:41) 1. Last Days Of May 2. ME262 3. Joan Crawford 4. Harvester Of Eyes 5. Burnin’ For You 6. Godzilla 7. Drum Solo 8. Don’t Fear The Reaper Eric Bloom – Vocal, Guitar, Keyboards Buck Dharma – Guitar, Vocal Alan Lanier – Keyboards Jon Rogers – Bass Ron Riddle – Drums FM BROADCAST RECORDING