Customer Reviews

Image Entertainment Bad Company-hard Rock Live [dvd W/cd] [2discs]

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A great-looking, great-sounding document of what was to be thought, at the time, as Bad Company's one-time reunion with all three surviving members, Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirke. Rodgers, as seen and heard on his solo "Live in Glasgow" DVD and Queen's "Live in Ukraine" and "Return of the Champions" DVDs, is in terrific form and gives a spirited performance. Simon Kirke also pounds the drum with inspiration. Mick Ralphs, for the most part, sounds really strong on guitar, although at times, he seems to let second guitarist (and member of Rodgers' solo band) Howard Leese take more leads than I would prefer. Leese is terrific and a real good sport - he never works to overshadow Ralphs or the band - but I would have had Ralphs play more of the guitar solos, if I had my way. Rodgers' solo bassist, Lynn Sorensen, fills in for the late Boz Burrell (RIP) on five-string bass. Lynn, like Leese, is a solid player. If you are a Bad Company/Paul Rodgers/Free fan, definitely pick this up.
And again, Ralphs doesn't sound bad - I've never seen him this animated on stage, as he clearly enjoyed himself this evening, dancing around and hopping around like a kid on the stage - I just wish Ralphs would have performed a few more guitar solos, instead of Howard. Enjoy. :)

This is an amazing Bad Company Concert. The band sounds huge. Mick Ralphs is in great form as is Howard Leese with Les Pauls and Marshalls blazing. Lynn Sorenson on bass is a great choice who fills all the empty space with a great bottom end and style. Simon Kirk plays with more energy than I have ever seen him play, and also has a super sound. Most amazing is Paul Rodgers, who just gets better and better and better over the years. He sings perfectly and effortlessly. All the original hits are there, not a dull song in the bunch.

Best of all it, is a very watchable concert, with camera angles similar to the in concert series of the 1970's. When a solo is played, the focus is on the guitar, not an excess of rapid fire camera switching to make you dizzy and to create false excitement. If you are a musician, you will really dig this DVD.

Worth every penny and the best sounding Bad Company dvd/cd ever.

This concert dvd was recorded at Bad Company's one-off show in Hollywood, Florida in August, 2008. For some of the earlier reviewers who said Mick Ralphs didn't sound as sharp as he used to, this may be why. From my understanding, they had very little rehearsal time before performing this show. I got the chance to see the band ten months later in Michigan and they sounded great; Mick seemed to be handling the solos quite well that night. Getting to the dvd, I think it's a must-have for any Bad Company fan. Paul is as sharp as ever vocally; there are a couple of musical missteps, specifically on Rock Steady and a lyric screw up on Burning Sky, but that just makes it seem more like a real live performance. The chemistry between Paul, Mick, and Simon is great, Howard and Lynn are stellar, as usual. It's great to see Paul smiling ear to ear throughout this show. For true Paul Rodgers die-hards, watching him have to breathe life into the Queen stuff for several years was bitter-sweet; we got to see him play, but you can tell his heart and soul is truly with this music. Honey Child, Gone, Gone, Gone, Feel Like Making love and Simple Man are just fantastic. The original three members go to the front of the stage for an acoustic performance of Sea Gull that will give you chills. I guarantee if you purchase this dvd, you'll watch it over and over and find something new to appreciate each time.

First, Paul Rodgers is a freak...of nature that this. His voice is timeless, ageless and has actually gotten better. Secondly, minus Boz Burell, this really IS Bad Company. And the performance is a sweat soaked foray into a time where rock really was classic. This set is tight, it has surprises, like "Honey Child" and "Simple Man". Both are deep, but superb album cuts that push Rodgers to the limit and showcase the depth of this rock and roll hall of fame outfit. In my mind, Paul Rodgers is the best rock vocalist ever. Period. Who's better? Plant? Daltrey? Neither aged as well as this man. His voice is up to any challenge. The audience is clearly taken in by what must have been a trip back to 1979 without a hitch. The audio is raw, but flawless and captures history in the making. Can you believe this? 30 years later, this material has only convinced me and those present that the classic rock era is a one of a kind Mozart-like portion of rock history. Bad Company is nearly perfect here. And anyone who doubts need only listen to this collection once through.

I was one happy camper when Bad Company's first live DVD, "Merchants of Cool" was released. That was, until I watched it. What a huge disappointment, and most of the blame rest squarely on the shoulders of one of the great front man and rock vocalist of all time, Paul Rodgers. He rushed through most of the vocals as if he had somewhere else to be at the moment, and while I do not have a problem with audience participation, he relied way too heavily on it. When you attend a Bad Company concert, you want to hear that voice, sing those songs, and more often than not, that wasn't the case. Case in point, most old school rock 'n roll fans introduction to Paul Rodger's voice, was with Free and the still heavily played on classic rock radio stations, "All Right Now". If he sang the chorus on the Merchants of Cool DVD, I certainly don't recall it.

Hard Rock Live features the return of Mick Ralphs as well as Paul Rodgers not only performing the songs the way they had been written, recorded and performed during their hey day, but also limited reliance on the audience to carry the tunes. Also enhancing the performance is the addition of Howard Leese on guitar as well, (yes, former guitarist for Heart) thereby keeping the full rich rhythm during Ralphs solos, and vice-versa, with a special treat of actually having 2 guitars to perform those occasional guitar duets that Ralphs used to add during the recording process.

There are plenty of great BC songs not on this DVD, as well as the usual Free standards we've come to expect over the years, but it does contain pretty much all of the "hits" that hit only fans want to hear. Bottom line, this DVD reigns supreme over Merchants of Cool. I'm just glad they got it right the 2nd time around.
No true Bad Company fan should be without this. It doesn't disappoint.

Awesome show! If you are a hard rocker and like to collect concerts this one is a must have...great song selections, great audio and video work, and the a treat to watch the first Bad Company play again. You cant go wrong with this purchase...the CD packaging is not my personal choice, but the CD makes it an extra perk for the enthusist...Rock On!!

This is the ultimate Bad Company live cd we old time fans have waited for all these years. Forget the terrible live one with Brian Howe and even "Merchants of Cool", which did have Paul back but Mick sat that one out. It was decent and had "Joe Fabulous", which I really like. This, though is the REAL DEAL. Just wish Boz could have been part of it, but the musicianship is outstanding, the sound is great and the band and the crowd are all having the time of their lives, and you can hear it and see it, since this comes with one of the better live dvd's I have. It's a lot of fun and I have absolutely worn mine out since I got it when it was released. Do yourself a favor and get it while you can. You won't regret it.

Me & my husband love this cd cuz it also comes with a dvd in concert, and the price was right !!

I am a die hard Bad Company and Paul Rodgers fan and this was one that I did not have in my collection. As always with BadCo, superb rock music. Can listen to this music 24/7.

This was a great show. The band was in perfect voice & form. Every song was a winner. They played so many great tunes. I had the best time at this show! This DVD is a must have & I'm not saying this just because I'm in it !!!