There is a funny thing about this incarnation of Bad Co. While songs like "Holy Water" sound great, just like the studio versions, songs like "Bad Co." sound like a BAD COVER band trying to play Bad Co. I saw Bad Co 5 times between Dangerous Age and Holy Water and while the shows were great, the original songs were NOT up to par (original meaning Paul Roger songs). Paul is back!

Howe's voice sears through the grit of rigorous touring and burns the deaf ears of his critics leaving a smoking testament to his long stint as Bad Company's "master of ceremonies". The stand out tracks are the soulful, serpentine "Ready For Love" and the heartfelt "If You Needed Somebody". Mick Ralphs is in fine form, flexing his black & blue guitar muscle on tough rockers like "No Smoke Without A Fire" and the ever classic "Feel Like Makin' Love". Newer members, Bucket & Rick Wills, turn in solid performances, providing sturdy support for their front men. Simon Kirke whips along, nearly effortlessly, but stumbles a bit on the unimaginative "Fist Full of Blisters". His punchy grooves and country fried swing are flawless in the context of the songs but a drum solo was an unfortunate waste of 4 minutes. This live set would have been better served by the inclusion of "Electric Land", the long ignored but fierce "Fame & Fortune", or perhaps the rarely aired gem "Gone, Gone, Gone". All in all, this is an excellent recording that makes no excuses for it's rough edges, hence it's title. Howe's most impressive vocal theatrics, still don't match the magic of Paul Rodgers (sorely missed, also, are Rodgers' piano contributions), but here we see his voice starting to mature, at least in terms of control and range. Check out show closer "Bad Company" for proof. The more recent material faired well here, not because of it's musical strength, but because Brian Howe drove it home. Play this loud, in your car, on a summer night, and you will not be disappointed. This line up was great and their work makes up a considerable portion of Bad Company's catalog. Their mark was made here, where it counts, on stage.

This is a great live album which showcases the best of both eras of Bad Company. Brian Howe is a great singer who takes both early songs and newer material and makes them his own. A fine performance that left me wanting more. The band is in fine form and really show some of those latter day "pretenders" how real rock should be played.... with conviction. Great versions of Ready for Love, Good Lovin' gone Bad, Can't Get Enough and Bad Company round off a great live album that makes you wish you were there. Do yourself a favour and listen to this album. Any lover of classic rock wont be disappointed. Rock on Bad Company!

I really wanted to rave about this album as I reckon that Brian Howe has had to put up with a lot of flak for not sounding the same as Paul Rodgers (who could?).

However I'm the first to admit that his voice in the live situation struggles to live up to the standard he's set himself on the studio albums.

As the line up was going through a bit of a rough patch maybe he didn't get the best of the mix that he may have if the band were staying together as a unit.

That said it does feature some great songs from both the Rodgers and Howe eras and some of Mick Ralphs guitar work is spot on for a live performance.

One for fans of the band to add to their collection, but not an out and out stunner I'm afraid.

Excellent cd for those of us from "back in the day." I bought this one for my husband for Christmas and he loves it!