Disco de Status Quo: “Live at the N.E.C.”

"Live at the N.E.C." doesn't rock with quite the same fiery abandon as Quo's classic 1977 double live album, perhaps, but it is a very solid, very enjoyable recording in its own right.

The fidelity is excellent, as is the production. The drums bite without being overwhelmingly loud, and the singers' voices blend perfectly...Quo has never had any really exceptional singers in their lineup, but the triple lead vocals of Rossi, Parfitt, and Lancaster somehow fit the band's simple, melodic, blues-based hard rock perfectly. You have to be a grumpy sod not to want to rock a little to this well-crafted good-time rock n' roll!

"Live at the N.E.C." was recorded on May 14, 1982 for Prince Charles' Prince's Trust charity, and it features scorching renditions of some of the band's best songs, including "Whatever You Want", the underexposed "Backwater", and a piledriving "Little Lady". And whatever you may think of Status Quo in the 21st century, this is one hell of a rock n' roll record, and it's a real shame that only half the concert was released. This is one live album that would have benefitted from being spread out across two discs.

This is the next best live bit of music from quo, there best would have to be there End of The road 84 in milton keynes bowl(uk), But this is about Live at the nec, it is smashing on any fromat, theier brilliant, the crowd r brilliant, its just the best, if u buy this, youll want more of the same.

You either love Quo, or hate 'em. Speaking personally they've been a guilty pleasure since I i watched a live gig in Wellingboro' England sometime around 1971.....which I guess dates me rather. Anyway, this is a strange review because I absolutely love this CD, & play it LOUD in my car and bang my head (metaphoically) and get to feel all young again! BUT i'm going to sell it on Ebay........sometime soon.

WHY? Because it's NOT the 'extra tracks' version which has 'the rest of the concert'supposedly available somewhere..........and manOman was this ever a great, great Quo concert!

Unabashed 'Full Tilt Boogie' in every song and some very nicely recorded singing along by the crowd in the hall, makes you almost believe you're right there & then! Never has any Rock Band made 3 Chords work SO damned hard!

The treatments of 'Caroline','Don't Waste My Time' and 'Whatever You Want' are particularly fantastic, - if your foot isn't tapping at least during any one of those cuts, you better check to be certain that your breath is still fogging the mirror!

My only complaint (besides the missing numbers) is that theres very little info as to band lineup and dates - but I THINK it's an 1982 lineup with Coghlan still on drums......tough to tell, sadly.

SO, - if you're like me, and still secretly play occasional air guitar to Quo (when i'm alone at home and family is out - even if the hair, ragged loons and plimsolls are long,long gone) this album (OR the longer version if'n you can find it) is an essential part of your CD collection!

Go on, give in to a guilty pleasure,,,,,just don't blow the speakers in your Crown Vic!