BeBop Deluxe. What a band they were. A handful of albums in the 1970s and they were gone. But what a run of albums they were.
Their sole live album – Live in the Air Age has now had the full on remaster/reissue job done on it and it’s spectacular.
Two choices. A monster big box set comprising of the remastered album together with fourteen CDs of different shows from the tour, a DVD, big book of photographs and words from Bill Nelson, replica tour poster and program.
Or if you don’t fancy splurging on that, there’s a “cut down” three CD version of the remastered album and two shows from the old Hammersmith Odeon.
BeBop Deluxe have been one of my favourite bands since those 1970s days. Can still distinctly remember catching the 52 bus in to Sheffield then straight in the Bradleys Records to buy the original album on release. A bit weird as it was a single album with an EP rather than the usual double live album.
This remaster/reissue shows how great BeBop Deluxe were. All build around the remarkable guitar work of Bill Nelson – surely one of THE most underrated guitarists – who for me is up there with the likes of Donald Roeser as a guitarist who makes it look so easy and can do it all switching styles at will.
Have a listen to Mill Street Junction – in particular the soloing. How great is this:
Effortlessly smooth, fluid, flowing solos with real feeling allied with blazing riffage too. The man can play. Oh yes. He can play. As can the rest of the band, which was such a tight unit. The flamboyant Charlie Tumahai with precise, tight bass lines. Superb drumming from Simon Fox and Andrew Fox’s stabbing keyboards. What a recipe.
For me Live in the Air Age is one the THE great live albums. Make no mistake. Now with this reissue we can enjoy it with a new appreciation as to how good it is and BeBop Deluxe were.
I splashed out on the big box set. If you fancy doing the same, it’s on Amazon here:
>> BEBOP DELUXE LIVE IN THE AIR AGE BOX SET <<
Or if you prefer the three-CD version, that’s on Amazon here:
>> BEBOP DELUXE LIVE IN THE AIR AGE 3-CD VERSION <<
They don’t make bands like this anymore. What a pity. Over four decades on and all their stuff sounds fresh and relevant.