Live CD3 Justifies the Price, 29 Sep 2010There has been the expected criticsm of this release as the record company milking the fans. Yes I have all the records, the 1st CD issues and the new expanded CD editions. This set while ostensibly aimed at marginal fans is really an entrapment for the dedicated fans. A few out takes, an unissued “In the Heat of the Night”, a work up take of “The Pirate’s Dream” (both well worth hearing), a few bootleg tracks and a John Peel BBC interview with Dick and Dave hardly justifies the cost.
However CD 3 does – any live recording from there peak period is worth anything. Colosseum full on live in top quality sound: alternate versions of “Rope Ladder”, “Skellington” and “Stormy Monday” which shows how they improvised within and with quite complex song structures. Plus the medly “I Can’t Live Without You/The Time Machine/The Machine Demands A Sacrifice” with a great drum solo and an absolutely tremendous “Valentine Suite”. It doesn’t get any better then this except, maybe, ‘Colossuem Live’.
25 quid for a Colosseum concert – dirt cheap. And the ticket can be reused any time you like (the band only gets one royalty payment from your purchase!) – a bargain, the best I ever had. AND REMEMBER … TURN IT DOWN TO DEAFENING