LIVE AT THE O2

Horslips is one of the very best Prog Folk bands, and this double live album from 2010 runs like an extended greatest hits collection performed live. The impressive set list is chockfull of classics from the band's nine studio albums released between 1973 and 1979, including many selections from the two highly regarded concept albums The Tain and Book Of Invasions - A Celtic Symphony. Other numbers that you might remember are King Of The Fairies, Mad Pat, and Flirting In The Shadows. Like on their studio albums, Horslips here play a plethora of stringed acoustic instruments as well as flutes and whistles in addition to the standard Rock instruments of electric guitars, organ, drums and bass. This is Prog Folk that really rocks, without sacrificing any of the folksiness. An all-acoustic section showcases the more subtle side of the band and keeps the set varied.

Judging from this great live recording, it seems that the band has lost little of their power and glory since their 70's heyday. They have no new material to draw on as they haven't recorded anything in the studio since the late 70's (except an album of acoustic remakes of older songs called Roll Back that was released in 2004), but the staying power of the band more than justifies this live album. I hope that they will now consider recording a studio album of new material in the style of their classic output. The vocals here are not perfect, but the evident passion and energy makes up for it. They audience certainly seem to be appreciative as well, and rightly so.

The Tain and Book Of Invasions remain the most essential Horslips albums, but this live album is an excellent addition to any Horslips collection and indeed to any Prog Folk collection

Absent from the big stage for 30 years, the rebirth and renewal of Horslips was recorded for all prosperity with this great sounding live reunion album. All of the key songs are featured excluding perhaps The Hall Of Mirrors. But that's a small complaint.

Anyone who has the excellent Roll back album released in 2005 know that the boy's chops are still intact but that their voices have changed a bit over time. Johnny Fean has a deeper delivery while the ever young Charles O'Conner sounds the same 30 years on. Barry Devlon's seems to have suffered the most and has a sand papery feel to his delivery.

Fean, who stayed active after Horslips split up, is the most improved player with a more blusey feel added to his blistering leads. Devlon, who had not picked up the bass in almost 30 years, acquitted himself well as did stand in drummer, Johnny's brother Ray (who replaced Eamon Carr for reasons unclear to me.)

The sound mix is incredibly detailed and clear. My only complaint is that it's a tad flat sounding, but you can't have everything.

The only thing that surprises me, given that there was about 10 minutes of unused audio space at the end of the second CD (don't worry, there's two full hours of music here) is that some, or even any, of the lively stage banter that this band is known for, was not presented in the recordings. These guys are expert at taking the piss out of each other and this was a celebration as much as a concert, after all. In a way, it makes this 2 CD recording feel more like a greatest hits compilation, as the only real extended songs are Furniture (at 10 minutes!) and Speed The Plow. Perhaps the DVD of the concert will preserve all. 4 stars.