What can you say about an album where every song is just about your favorite from that artist? Every hit song from Cuts Like A Knife to a tasty acoustic version of Into The Fire, this album delivers in spades. There are even a few surprises, like encore versions of classic rock songs like I Fought The Law and Walking After Midnight. And best of all, there's none of that squishy, touchy-feely movie music (it's nice Bryan is so versatile, but when you want to blow out the speakers and, um, wake up the neighbors, there's nothing quite like Bryan's faster stuff).

Why only four stars? I save that for albums that define new genres or are so pregnant with meaning as to approach immortality (the Moody Blues' Days Of Future Passed comes immediately to mind), but this is good-time rock 'n' roll, with no excuses needed. His interchanges with the audiences are wonderful, the ambience is adequate, and the album will serve as an excellent introduction to one of the most talented artists ever to record twenty-plus top ten hits. What are you waiting for? Buy!

Bryan Adams' first live album is probably his best one. This one covers his material pre- "Waking Up the Neighbours". For the most part (with the exception of the last song, an acoustic version of "Into the Fire"), this was a concert that was recorded in Wechter Belgium. We are told in both of the liner notes and on the the live album that this was recorded during a driving rain storm in Belgium. We are also told in the liner notes "nothing added, nothing taken away" From a live album standpoint, this is just about everything you expect from a live album - bring the full concert experience to the CD and that is exactly what this release does.

The only disappointing thing of this CD is that there is only 3 songs from "Into the Fire" and one was the acoustic version of "Into the Fire". I consider "Into the Fire" to be the best Bryan Adams CD from a creative and musical standpoint. In fact, the version of "Into the Fire" is from a concert in Japan. It surprises me that Adams has not really included much of the material from "Into the Fire" on live or greatest hits CDs.

The tracks really tell the story itself. So here is brief rundown of each.

2) It's Only Love - Although no duet with Tina Turner here, Adams pulls it off perfectly. After "Over and over again", the intense pause in the song comes off great live. You'll hear Adams point out the weather conditions at the end of the track

3) Cuts Like a Knife - Not one of my favorite Adams tracks, but like many of the songs - the live version makes it sound even better.

4) Kids Wanna Rock - Again, not one of my favorite Adams tracks - but the guitar rifts and drums come off beautifully in the live version. Adams raspy voice combined with the audience response to his performance will make it sound better.

5) Hearts on Fire - I loved this song on "Into the Fire", to me on this CD - it blows me away. Same theme as many other songs - sounds better live!

6) Take Me Back - Bryan will kick this song off with "Take Me Back Keith" referring to lead guitarist Keith Scott. Listen for how Bryan sings "G-O-N-E gone" - and the great jamming that takes place with the chorus "Take Me Back". Bryan gives some narrative at the end really adding a new dimension to this song.

7) The Best was Yet to Come

9) Heat of the Night - Intense is a good word to describe this number. This song has a close sound to the studio version and reflects both the high quality of studio and live work that Bryan and the band can pull off.

10) Run to You - "The tapping percussion" sound really provides a great intro into this song. Then the classic guitar intro and you have an incredible version of what I consider to be one of the ultimate Adams classic. The best way to put it - "The Live Version Doesn't Disappoint!"

11) One Night Love Affair - I might have guessed this would open the concert, but this is the perfect bridge following the intense version of "Run to You"

12) Long Gone - I was very pleased that Adams just didn't put his "Hits" on this Live Album. A song like "Long Gone" from Reckless is very underrated and I was thrilled to get to hear a live version of this song.

13) Summer of 69- Bryan will get the crowd to basically kick off the song and sing "I got my first real six string...". In general, I don't like audiences singing the verses of a song because I feel the performer's job is to do that. But it this case, it really doesn't sound bad.

14) Somebody - Bryan wraps up the main set with this song. Bryan will reach out to the crowd to sing along with him and in this case it sounds awesome! The band ends the set with a nice guitar bridge that says "Thank You Good Night"

15) Walking After Midnight

17) Into the Fire - It's an acoustic version. I might have preferred to hear the intense rock version - but again - great change of pace and something different.

All in all - a must have for all Adams and even non Adams fans.

Live in Europe, Adams' set includes all his hits up to 1988("Cuts Like A Knife" "Summer of 69" etc.) Adams is an engaging live performer, but like most live sets this one is for fans only. It makes for a nice keepsake for the fan that wants to have an audio memory of an Adams' concert, but it doesn't quite capture the energy and charisma of Adams on tour.

Bryan Adams shows his love for music in this album. His raspy voice fits well in each song. Each song he delivers, he delivers with a bang, bringing everything he's got into it. You must be thinking to yourself " if this is a live album, you must here the audience" and you sure do, screaming there lungs out giving Adams and the rest of the band energy for playing. You can hear Bryan Have a little chat with the audience saying

"I just wanna thank you all for coming out here tonight and enduring the rain..you people are one hell of a crowd"..So if your a Bryan Adams fan, I suggest with all your might, get this cd..It bring 17 pound hitting tracks.. "Into the Fire" all I can say is "he saved the best for last" SO GET OUTTA YOUR COUCH AND GET IT!!!

Bryan Adams has been on the top of the corporate rock world since 1982 when he made huge hits from his third album CUTS LIKE A KNIFE. And his popularity erupted in 1984 with the superhit album RECKLESS. He has been producing excellent albums since then including his recent soundtrack SPIRIT and comeback album ROOM SERVICE. Even so, I still love Bryan of RECKLESS era with full of vigor. This 1988 live album just catches the very moment of his vitality. Particularly I am glad mamy of the tracks chosen are from RECKLESS album, though not so different from studio album arrangement. (It can be more precise that studio album got closer to live). Plus he plays two nice cover songs such as Bobby Fuller's I FOUGHT THE LAW and Patsy Cline's WALKING AFTER MIDNIGHT. I just miss STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART but other than that I love this live album a lot.

Verdict: 80's Bryan fans Essential

Rating: 91 out of 100

Recommended for: Bryan Adams fans and 80s pop rock fans.