Live From Albuquerque

How is it possible that an arena rock band like Bad Company never left a legit live album in their wake? It certainly wasn't due to lack of touring; beginning with their live debut in Frankfurt, Germany, the group regularly played across Europe, their native U.K., and the States, graduating swiftly from support act to headliner. In 1976, riding high on the success of their Run with the Pack album, Bad Company embarked on their third U.S. tour, a 52-date trawl through the nation's stadiums that spring. The Albuquerque gig fell early in their itinerary, so the band was still fresh and raring to go. The recording itself was made by Mick Ralphs, who regularly taped the group's shows, utilizing them as a tool to more finely tune their set and performances. Which means, of course, that not only is the sound quality excellent, but you get Live in Albuquerque 1976 in its entirety spread over two CDs. Bad Company power through 16 songs, drawn from all three of their albums, although not all their hits, "Movin' On" being a notable omission. But fans were treated to fabulous versions of "Can't Get Enough," "Good Lovin' Gone Bad," "Feel Like Makin' Love," "Young Blood," and, of course, the group's eponymous theme song. On record, Bad Company were an unadulterated, hard stompin' band, whose sound was built on unquenchable beats, thick bass, hefty rhythm guitar, and Ralphs' mortar fire leads. On-stage, the band added another level of excitement, which fed to and from the crowd. Two decades after the fact, the Bad boys of rock finally add a live album to their canon, a potent reminder of classic rock's enduring legacy and the Company's own. ~ Jo-Ann Greene