Blue Öyster Cult raise the bat on an unbeaten half century.

Release Date: 8th December 2023

Label: Frontiers Music s.r.l

Format: 2CD/DVD

Always had a soft spot (some might say a soft white underbelly) for BÖC. One of my very first concert experiences back in the days when The Reaper was stalking with the sort of menacing intent that these days gets greeted with an approving roar. And after all those years, they’re still going strong, Eric Bloom and Donald Roeser still front and centre complemented by Richie Castellano on guitar and keyboards, and the longtime rhythm section of bass guitarist Danny Miranda and drummer Jules Radino. We even had the unexpected pleasure of new music with The Symbol Remains a few years back. Good stuff it was too.

The current set is the first of three promised live releases as a souvenir that marks a special set of 3 sold-out shows in a row in September 2022 at Sony Hall in NYC. Each show featured the band playing in its entirety one of their first three albums (the self-titled debut, Tyranny & Mutation and Secret Treaties)  plus a set of deep cuts and classics from their other albums. Founding member, bassist Albert Bouchard was a special guest on all three nights.
 
So night #1 sees them head back to their self-titled debut from all those years ago. “Here they come, the amazing Blue Öyster Cult!” and having said, a clutch of tracks have stayed the duration or gained the status of ‘legendary’. Then Came The Last Days Of May (with a stunning extended guitar break back in ’79 in much the same way as it stretches to almost eight minutes here) Before The Kiss and Cities On Flame are all instantly familiar. The riff to the latter on a par for recognisability with that of Godzilla.

In the name of completeness, the whole album is wheeled out (as it was in Manchester again a few years back) with the more obscure songs involving lambs and feet getting an outing alongside the more cool Screams and the Beatle-y/10CC-esque melodies and harmonies in Redeemed. Not songs you hear everyday, but the template for a career based around the combination of humour, sci fi and classic horror in a classic rock coating plus the use of keyboards in the pallet, be it in the piano or fizzing Hammond sound.

The second set starts the full legacy appraisal with the fan faves Dr Music and Burnin’ For You – two tunes that Donald and Eric could probably do with one hand behind their back. Personal fave The Vigil from the underrated Mirrors is also in there – a BÖC riff to rank with their best one would think and a guitar break that warrants mid-song acclaim. Talking of fan faves, perhaps some of the first names/titles on the team sheet are the likes of Godzilla and The Reaper, with Mr Bouchard’s showcase Hot Rails To Hell getting the privilege of last song in the set to ensure a rollicking express to Hell finale. The not-so-smart money is on repeat returns for those songs it’s simply not possible to omit (guess the ones…)

Career Of Evil gets ahead of itself, maybe a quick teaser for the Secret Treaties night? and there’s a Harvest Moon from the rarely visited Heaven Forbid while the quality and passion for the new songs brings and right up to date for That Was Me and a lively Train True boogying along amongst the clutch from The Symbol Remains. Quite some night and for those who were there, just an aperitif with two more nights to follow. We await the outcome.

Here’s I’m On The Lamb But I Ain’t No Sheep:

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