Be Bop Deluxe at the BBC 1974 - 1978

Fantastic BBC archival material from one of the great "lost" groups of the 70's. I'm a "vinyl" guy and prefer to listen to music in that format - however, in recent times "remastered" material in the digital format has taken a giant leap forward in quality. This three CD, one DVD, gem is no exception. I haven't stopped listening to these BBC recordings since I got this in the mail. I always think of Be Bop Deluxe as a rock vehicle for Bill Nelson, and, indeed it is - but, I have to comment on how well his band mates perform and compliment Bill Nelson's fantastic songs. Andrew Clark on keyboards is revelatory throughout and deserves some recognition for his work - Simon Fox excels on drums and Charlie Tumahai is fun to watch on the DVD material. I highly recommend this work and while your at it pick up Futurist Manifesto for Be Bop's studio work. When you're done absorbing all this fantastic material and wondering why these guys weren't huge mosey on over to Bill Nelson's web site and be prepared to be blown away by the plethora of solo material put forth by a true rock'n roll genius. The only downside to this product is the flimsy plastic CD case attempting to house four discs.

This is a great set of now released concert archival material throughout this overlooked and passed over band's career. Bill Nelson's guitar work is legendary in it's articulation, clarity, and execution. Of most interest to me was both the studio and live version of "Millstreet Junction", which until now I've not heard before. The DVD video is also great! I give this 4 disc set my highest recommendation!! I'm hoping that someday a live version of Axe Victim, Crying To The Sky, and Sleep That Burns will surface.

A grrand tour down memory lane with Bill Nelson & company in his first major project. Be Bop Deluxe's newest box set is a treasure of old things made new due to technology and live sound. A must for any BBD fan and if you new to these folks; a wonderful introduction to the fabulous sounds of the past that seemed like the future at the time. This collection catches some of their finest moments in an all too short moment.

Much of this material had been previously available on two single disc releases, 1998's "Tramcar To Tomorrow" and 2002's "Tremulous Antenna" , both now OOP. The three CD's on this set contain eleven additional previously-unreleased tracks from the same shows, and now also in-between-songs BN stage chatter that wouldn't fit on the two single-disc releases. Both the previous CD's were mastered with loudness compression, while this new set is not, so there is a marked difference in overall volume when comparing this new set to the older titles. This new set also includes a Region-0 DVD with great footage of the band performing 13 songs live in various years (it's fun to watch the keyboard stacks grow as time progresses), in excellent video & sound quality. Many of the segments have appeared on YouTube, but they all look far better on this DVD. One caveat: This set is inexplicably missing two Tramcar tracks, "Crying To The Sky" and "Peace Of Mind". According to the liner notes, both were recorded the same day as the Hammersmith Odeon show which comprises the entirety of disc #2 in this new set. The production credits are different however, so it's not clear if these two missing tracks were also from that show, or recorded earlier (a soundcheck, perhaps?). Disc #2 is only 57 minutes in length, and the two missing tracks are nine minutes combined, so why were they left off? It's always great to get ANY additional vintage BBD live material, and with all the recent afore-mentioned releases, plus the incredible Live at Metropolis Studios London and Practice Of Everyday Life sets, this has been a heady and dizzingly wonderful last couple of years for die-hard BBD fans. While omitting that great live version of "Crying To The Sky" (one of my all-time BBD favs) was slightly disappointing for me, I still have my Tramcar disc.

This is essential for any Be Bop Deluxe fan. Now that the CD version is no longer available, used copies of it are in the stratosphere. So this is the reasonable alternative cost wise. While you may have all of Be Bop Deluxe's albums, the live versions often have different arrangements, plus there is something about hearing Bill Nelson play in a live environment. I put off buying this for a long time, but I can say it's worth the money.

Wow i mean Wow. with this purchase i have tripled my bebop deluxe. for years i have had 2 vinyl records. this set gives me a bunch more. i looked at some of the reviews before i bought this. some folks mentioned that this band didn't catch on in america because their record company didn't know how to crack the market. well i say that is not the case. all artists may want validation for their craft, but not all artists want fame to the point of giving up ones ability to move freely. hey if bill nelson walked by me on the sidewalk i wouldn't know him. but that doesn't mean i dismiss him either. i am a music lover always searching for that sound. it's my major addiction. a benign addiction but one i embrace. Be bop deluxe entered my world in the 80's through a girlfriend. thanks janice where ever you are. now for the fans still reading this get it now you will not be let down. how could you IT'S BE BOP DELUXE nuff said.

A "must have" release for Be-Bop Deluxe Fans. And a nice surprise for anybody else!Not the complete BBC Recordings, as there is atleast 3 tracks missing from the 1976 studio visit, which can be found on the Tramcar to Tomorrow CD Hux RecordsHUX 009.Loads of unreleased goodies though:See Cd description by Amazon sales page. My only gripe is with a couple of "0dd" keyboard sounds on the first In Concert January 1976 recording. Otherwise ....just perfect,tight,funky,rocky,electronic,original.....out there on it's own, Be-Bop Deluxe. Enjoy. 3 CD's 1 DVD .Not as Amazon notes 8 Disc's !!!

時代とともに進化しながら常にカッコ良い音楽を作っていたことが再認識できます。キャッチーな楽曲の中での激しいキメや意表を付くリズムチェンジは現在では一般的ですが、何十年も前からやっていたセンスに脱帽です。

Wow! This is a really welcome addition to the Be Bop Deluxe collection, especially considering the lack of a remastered Live in the Air Age. First off, this is the only place, outside of bootlegs, that I have been able to hear the MK 1 Be Bop lineup in concert. Stunning! They really were good, much better than I would have expected considering the revamp of the band after the first album. The versions of the Axe Victim songs they deliver here really zing along and are superior to the studio versions because of the added energy of the gig. Bills guitar work is jaw droppingly good and his voice strong and clear throughout. It is remarkable that they were not bigger at the time. Secondly, this collection spans a 4 year period and the development of Bill Nelsons idea of what he wanted to play and put out there can be heard as the band evolve and tighten up in the live setting. I like where they ended up, Superenigmatix etc... and the versions on this are no slouches. Being recorded live, warts and all, to use a phrase, is a real test of a band. There is the odd out of tune bit of keyboard work here and there, which is really surprising, but overall the sound is that of a well honed unit. Sound quality is varied, but is vastly superior to the bootlegs and is nicely mastered, no harsh over compressed and over-equed ear shredding cymbals etc....Everyone can be heard clearly. The four John Peel Sessions are superb, really well recorded and in most cases the songs really belt along and are, in my opinion, better that the studio versions. The dvd is a real stunner! I have never seen any footage of Be Bop Deluxe in concert before and this was a real eye opener. Did folk really wear flares that wide in public? Bills Jean Cocteau knitted jumper is a fashion crime! However, the band play a blinder in each of the 4 gigs filmed, 3 Old Grey Whistle Test and one Sight and Sound in concert. It was really interesting seeing a second guitar player doing the rhythm work on the OGWT gig of Nov 1975. My personal fave section of the dvd is where they play the Drastic Plastic material, which is significantly superior to the studio versions. Tight as the proverbial gnats..... The adrenalised influence of punk rock on the "classic" rock scene is apparent, the emphasis being on energy and drive without overly long solos. No doubt about it, this is a band that could really cut the mustard on stage and could deliver the goods in bucketloads. The booklet is fairly scant, only featuring a neat wee overview from a clearly pleased Bill Nelson and then a breakdown of the gigs contained therein and the cast list for each. A few more archive photos would have been nice to see, but at this price that is pushing things a bit. Overall a must buy for anyone who likes the band. The range of material and the sound quality make it a big winner. Fabulous value for money. Superb job EMI! Now, where is that long overdue Live in the Air Age remix and remaster???

If you like Be bop deluxe at all get this set. For nothing else but the DVD portion. You get to see four different looks at a band I never saw live and always wanted to. This is priced and packaged right and don't forget the full set of albums set the Futurist Manifesto. Enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!

Any Be Bop / Bill Nelson fan must grab a copy of this gem!