We reach the third and final night of the Blue Öyster Cult three night stint in NYC. Secret Treaties is showcased.
Release Date: 13th December 2024
Label: Frontiers Music s.r.l
Format: 2CD/DVD
THE CONCLUDING PART
And so to the concluding part of the trilogy of live releases. The conclusion that forms the final installment of the live album series celebrating the Blue Öyster Cult 50th Anniversary. On the back of the First Night and the Second Night, the three night stand concludes with perhaps the one that’s been most anticipated. The band run through Secret Treaties back to back. Their classic third album which in hindsight is one of, if not their best album. There’s been fifty years to gather the thoughts.
Looking at the album tracklisting right now, there seems barely a duff moment. Tracks which have remained, like the symbol, constants in the live sets over the years and which would make a BÖC greatest hit list. Astronomy (imho as they say) right at thevery top of that list.
SECRET TREATIES ON THE MENU
Once more, the original core duo, Donald Roeser and Eric Bloom, is complemented by Richie Castellano, Danny Miranda, and Jules Radino. It’s a formidable and powerful lineup. When they need to rock they do the business. Check out the opening dense riffs of Career Of Evil, the rampant Rock and Roll that is Harvester Of Eyes and powerful drive of Dominance And Submission. The temperature occasionally dips as it does on the cool groove in Subhuman. Despite not ranking as career definitive versions, they’re well up to the task in providing a quality ’24 take. Tempos are sprightly although Some Enchanted Evening aficionados might find Astronomy ’24 a little underdone against the unsurpassed ’78 live version.
DEEPER CUTS
The accompanying set of deeper cuts inevitably feature further versions of songs that simply can’t be omitted – The Reaper, Godzilla and Cities On Flame are all present and correct. The Symbol Remains and Agents Of Fortune feature heavily in the second set and any concerns over tempos are blown away as Stairway To The Stars and (after the ode to friendship/drinking/leather choral vocal) The Golden Age Of Leather burst from the blocks. Great fun. And while we’re on the Spectres album, there’s a particularly pleasant version of I Love The Night. A track that may often fall under the radar, the harmonies and the Roeser guitar tone are spot on.
Shooting Shark benefits from the guitars being thoroughly warmed up as the solo cooks and sets up nicely for Buck’s Boogie. The cod drama of Joan Crawford is always fun and mirrors a general feel of looseness and ease in the second set. The hard work of showcasing Secret Treaties in the opening half is done. The chains are off.
The three night stand proved quite an undertaking. The souvenir recordings quite an accomplishment.
Here’s The Alchemist:
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