COLOSSEUM LIVE

This album still sounds remarkably fresh considering its 24 years old now. This was to be their last offering for quite some time as each member went on to pursue other ventures. (quite successfully). A great live album, superb musicianship, which you come to expect from these greatly talented people. The guitar work of Clem Clemson, superb keyboards courtesy of Dave Greenslade, great sax from the late great Dick Hestall Smith, and the powerful drum & bass of John Hiseman & Mark Clarke respectively. The icing on the cake , the extraordinary vocal talents of Chris Farlowe. Colosseum do rock,jazz & blues all in one to remarkable effect. The whole album is very powerful with the added impact of being live. Stormy Monday & Lost Angeles finish the album off in fine style with many virtuoso performances. Some would say at times a little over-indulgent, but they can be forgiven for that. I was a liitle to young when this & previous albums were released & caught up with them when they had spilt up. I first got into them when hearing the Valentyne Suite. Need I say more? So I was delighted when Colosseum reappeared in the 90s with new albums & live gigs & be part of it. I was greatly saddened by the sad death of Dick Hestall- Smith. I was privileged to attend his Memorial concert at the Astoria in London:-a brilliant evening with so many talented people in attendance. (Gary Moore, Jack Bruce,Pete Brown & Colosseum of course,amongst others). I give this album 4 and a half stars, as I am always reluctant to give 5. To the uninitiated, give this album a worthy listen,plus Valentyne Suite. You will not be disappointed.