Customer Reviews

Tremulous Antenna

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

 

 

Every rock guitarist on the planet should own this cd - along with EVERY release by Be Bop Deluxe, for that matter. With the possible exception of Drastic Plastic, every single one of Be Bop Deluxe's studio albums is a 5-star masterpiece, as is this "live in the studio" release. How groups like Fleetwood Mac and Boston sold millions of albums in the 70's while fabulous groups like Be Bop Deluxe and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band went virtually unnoticed will always be a mystery to me. This is simply some of the classiest rock guitar music ever. YESMAN is not quite correct in calling this a re-issue of Radioland, however. Read this from Bill Nelson's own website - NOTE: This is NOT a new release of previously unheard performances, neither is it a true re-issue. Hux purchased the rights to the tapes used for the Radioland BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert CD, which was released in 1994 and has been out of print for several years. The general consensus about Radioland is that the sound quality was inferior and not worth the money. Tremulous Antenna uses the same master tapes, but the sound has been VASTLY IMPROVED! All of the complaints about Radioland are addressed in this release. Give it a listen and you'll be happily surprised.

In many ways, this is probably a better live album than the more commercially successful "Live in the Air Age". This recording covers the breadth of BBD, from modest beginnings (Axe Victim) to the much lamented demise after "Drastic Plastic". The material from "Plastic" is especially welcome, since it is not repeated in any other live recording. "Superenigmatix", while not an especially engaging piece, is nonetheless important in showing how Bill Nelson was drifting away from BBD and experimenting with Punk sensibilities. "Islands of the Dead" is dead-on vintage BBD and "Panic in the World" showed us all that Bill Nelson could rock as hard as anyone (try getting this hook out of your head!). The recording is raw and unpolished, including a minor Bill Nelson flub at the beginning of "Life in the Air Age". Yet this quality is oddly endearing and utterly listenable. It is also curious to note that this live version of "Sister Seagull" is missing that wonderful guitar riff that made this a trademark BBD tune. The version on "Tramcar to Tomorrow" is much more engaging. The rest of the material is covered for the most part on on "Live in the Air Age", but how could you get tired of classic BBD? After all, each live performance contains unique nuances that are wonderful to explore and compare to that of other recordings. If you love Be Bop Deluxe, you will not be disappointed. Even if you are not a fan, the brilliant songwriting, unforgettable hooks and searing guitar will leave you wanting more. Happy listening!

This is a reissue of the Radioland CD relesed in '94

I could compare my experience to a perceived time-travel with all the bells and whistles. I had the opportunity to see Be-Bop Deluxe in Phoenix,1977 Sunburst Finish album. The live performance was unlike any I've experienced until this came along. I had forgotten my complete impression and it all came back. Whether or not you've seen them live, you will be moved by the incredible precision. This is studio work, on tour. Moreover, this band was on a time-travel through the years and is in a good "chrono-position" today. I am also pleased beyond any expectation with the sound quality in these almost-forgotten BBC live recordings. As a Bill Nelson Futurama jamma', I feel most qualified to share my opinion and further, to have all but one or two releases from pre-post BBD, this is a jewel.

I have recently rediscovered Be Bop Deluxe after many years and continue to wonder why this band never went further than it did. Bill Nelson ranks as one of the finest guitarists ever. His solo material, in my opinion, pales in caparison to what he did with BBD. This album is a fine addition to the small catalog of albums made by a great band.