To celebrate their 50th anniversary, in September of last year (2022), the Blue Oyster Cult played three consecutive nights at the Sony Hall in New York. Each of those three nights had the band playing one of their first three albums entirely followed by a set of classics and deep cuts.
Each night was recorded to be released separately in sequence in a CD and DVD package.
On the first night BOC’s eponymous debut album featured first. Eric Bloom, Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser, Ritchie Castellano, Jules Radino, and Danny Miranda ripping through a storming performance of that classic debut.
Sure – Eric and Buck are the only originals left. Though that’s OK as the years have not dampened their performance, ability or enthusiasm. And this current line-up has been together for a good number of years.
To add to the occasion, it is nice to see Albert Bouchard up there on stage throughout the first album part chipping in with some guitar, various percussion and for Cities on Flame getting behind a small drum kit to thump the tubs and do the vocals. He also came back on a time or two during the second set.
The Cult’s first album still stands up so well after the half century. The mixture of the heavy stuff, the psychedelic trippy stuff and the more melodic stuff remains sublime.
In particular a spectacular, elongated Then Came the Last Days of May with Ritchie and Buck taking it in turns to strut their stuff with remarkable soloing. Always one of rock’s finest guitarists, time has not caught up with Buck and for a bloke hurling towards eighty years old his effortless, fluid style is fully intact. Ritchie is killer also.
Screams wonderfully trippy as is She’s as Beautiful as a Foot. Cities on Flame so heavy with one of the most recognisable riffs ever then the poppy, catchy Redeemed mixes up the styles further to close one of the finest debut albums in rock music history.
Here they are belting out I’m on the Lamb But I Ain’t No Sheep:
The second half of the set runs in at fourteen songs mingling in some of the classics which they “have” to play – Burnin’ For You, Godzilla, Don’t Fear The Reaper, Hot Rails to Hell etc. A sprinkling from the excellent Symbol Remains album including the spookily gothic Tainted Blood and some welcome surprises mid-set. An unexpected trio of Harvest Moon, Dancin’ in the Ruins and The Vigil.
A spot-on performance from the Cult. On tour forever indeed.
Now to wait for the night two and three offerings. Of course night two will be Tyranny and Mutation and night three Secret Treaties. Hope Frontiers have them lined up for release in short order.
In the meantime, snap up this first night. Listen to and watch BOC at their best.