In Concert: Merchants of Cool [LIVE]

Bad Company

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 21, 2002)
• Original Release Date: May 21, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B000066NYG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #65,256 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Formed from the ashes of Free, Bad Company was an immediate success in 1974. With guitarist Mick Ralphs's bluesy grind perfectly complementing singer Paul Rodgers's ardent testifying, they combined the blues with stomping rock to create some fine good-time music. And, like so many good-time bands, they couldn't let the party end, re-forming with varying lineups throughout the next two decades. Merchants of Cool, a live album selected from gigs in Denver and Anaheim in 2002, sees them at their strongest in years. With Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke from the original outfit and guitarist David "Bucket" Colwell, now a member of more than 10 years' standing, they're supremely tight, running through a succession of hits like "Can't Get Enough," "Feel Like Makin' Love," "Burnin' Sky," "Rock and Roll Fantasy," and Free's immortal "All Right Now." Mostly, the songs are well-honed and urgent, free from indulgent solos, but Rodgers--whose voice has always been Bad Company's main attraction--leaves too many choruses to the crowd. Two new studio tracks--an attack on the music biz called "Joe Fabulous" and the limp "Saving Grace"--recall the band's worst work of the mid-1980s. --Dominic Wills

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent live recording, January 22, 2004

By	Tuneman (central Ohio, US of A) - See all my reviews

Although this isn't the original Bad Company lineup, they are darn close and extremely tight. Bucket Colwell handles the guitar parts with competent muscle and original Mick Ralphs isn't missed (he probably had his fill of Rodgers immense ego). Colwell has been a member of the band for nearly 12 years now and has a unique style and is more than competent with these tunes. Check him out on "Joe Fabulous", he really cooks. Jaz Lochrie on bass is dead-on and makes a great groove-partner for ever reliable Simon Kirke, the real heart and soul of this band. Too bad Rodgers thinks so highly of himself, this band can really rock in the classic sense of the word. Great album, DVD is even better. For the record: Simon, Jaz and Bucket are three of the nicest people you'd ever meet. True journeymen in their craft.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bad Company Still Fresh, July 25, 2003

By	"[e-mail]" (Tacoma, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Let's face it, Bad Co. without cooler than hell singer Paul Rodgers just ain't Bad Company. This recent live reunion(featuring drummer Simon Kirke as well), shows his voice and the band's blend of soul and rock has aged well. The absence of original guitarist Mick Ralphs is a letdown, but his place is filled admirably by longtime sideman "Bucket" Colwell. Rodgers smokey voice is in full form on "Rock Steady" and "Burnin' Sky." On other songs, like "Rock And Roll Fantasy" and the Free classic "All Right Now" he lets the crowd take the chorus. Most of the time on live records this kind of thing is corny, but here the crowd is so loud you can still hear every word. The two added studio tracks are throwaways, detracting from this great live record that could have been longer;considering the wealth of quality material Bad Company possesses.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Paul Rodgers Is The True "Voice Of Rock", July 5, 2002

By	"The Woj" (Downers Grove, IL) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Quick and to the point. Paul Rodgers is one of, if not thee best rock vocalist ever. That said the lead guitar on this album flat our sucks. No lead fills or solos on "Feel Like Making Love"? You'll know I'm right when you listen to some of the songs and are waiting...and waiting...and waiting for those classic Mick Ralph's lead fills. Especially on "Making Love".
Let's hope Bad Co recruits a guitarist who will be able to fill Ralph's shoes.