B.O.C. Blue Oyster Cult/CT,USA 1989

From the world tour accompanying the release of BLUE OYSTER CULT’s “IMAGINOS,” the long-awaited stereo soundboard recording is now available for the first time as a complete recording of the show. BLUE OYSTER CULT temporarily stopped their activities after the end of the “CLUB NINJA” tour in 1986. However, in 1988, producer Sandy Pearlman led the production of the concept album “IMAGINOS,” which was recorded with the original lineup, including Eric Bloom and Donald Luther, as well as Alan Rainier, Joe Bouchard, and Albert Bouchard. Prior to the album release, live activities were resumed, and although the bass was replaced by John Rogers and the drums by Ron Riddle, Alan Rainier remained, and the band began a full-scale world tour from the performance in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on July 15, 1988, after the album was released. This album is a recording of the New Haven, Connecticut concert on January 3, the first day of the 1989 tour, based on a high-quality broadcast recording. The clarity and separation of the instrumental parts is outstanding, and the sound that captures each member’s playing without excess or deficiency is as balanced and enjoyable as an official live performance. In particular, the playing of the returning Alan Rainier stands out, creating an exquisite atmosphere throughout the entire live performance that only the band’s original players can produce. From the opening “R.U. Ready 2 Rock” to “E.T.I.”, three consecutive ’70s classics are played, knocking out the listener with a powerful and energetic performance that reminds the golden age of the original lineup. From “IMAGINOS,” “I Am The One You Warned Me Of” and “In The Presence Of Another World” are featured, as well as a remake of “Astronomy.” These new songs are heavy, yet eccentric, and uniquely catchy, and are a style that well represents the B.O.C. of the time when they returned to their roots. In particular, the revived “Astronomy” has a tense opening, and the way the song develops melodiously and speedily is attractive, no matter how many times you listen to it. The momentum of the live show does not stop even in the second half, and the flow accelerates, with the heavy feeling of “Flaming Telepaths” that flows from “In The Presence Of Another World” to the raging medley, and the theatrical “Joan Crawford” with Alan Rainier’s elegant piano. The live show ends with a golden pattern of the late ’80s, with three consecutive songs: “Burnin’ For You”, “Godzilla”, and “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”, and ends on a hot note. In the encore, they played “This Ain’t The Summer Of Love,” “Golden Age Of Leather,” and “The Red And The Black,” all of which were classic ’70s songs that were played less frequently in the ’80s, and the band’s direction of returning to its roots was maintained here as well. Among them, the heavy and fast-paced “Golden Age Of Leather” was excellent, and the dramatic development of the song with its sharp contrast between slow and fast will captivate all who listen. For this “IMAGINOS” tour, the band was on the circuit with almost no backup from the record company because sales were not good despite the quality of the album, but the live performance itself was held in a fiery heat, and the development of the live performance with its skillful technique and exquisite timing has the flavor of a veteran veteran. The top-class sound quality that combines power and balance, and the high-quality live performance full of professional temperament will make the 105-minute recording time feel like it’s flying by. Live at Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT. USA 3rd January 1989 STEREO SBD Disc 1 1. R. U. Ready 2 Rock 2. Dominance And Submission 3. Extra Terrestrial Intelligence 4. I Am The One You Warned Me Of 5. Buck’s Boogie 6. Astronomy 7. Take Me Away Disc 2 1. In The Presence Of Another World 2. Flaming Telepaths 3. On Flame With Rock ‘N’ Roll 4. Piano Solo/Joan Crawford 5. Burnin’ For You 6. Godzilla 7. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper 8. This Ain’t The Summer Of Love 9. Golden Age Of Leather 10. The Red And The Black STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING Eric Bloom – Guitar, Vocal Donald “Buck Dharma” Roser – Guitar, Vocal Allen Lanier – Keyboard, Guitar Jon Rogers – Bass Ron Riddle – Drums