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Roxy Music - Heart Still Beating  CD (album) cover

HEART STILL BEATING

Roxy Music

 

Crossover Prog

2.96 | 30 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
4 stars The Roxy fan has not been submerged by live efforts to say the least. The previous official live recording was Viva ! released in 1976 after their first split / break. Although it is mentioned on the sleeve that it was recorded in Fréjus this album seems to be a mixture of shows from several dates in Europe in 1982. They were mixed together as one show. I really wonder why Roxy have waited for so long (eight years) to release this live record from the supporting "Avalon" tour.

The first "real" track "Can't Let Go" belong to Ferry solo repertoire. It will be featured on the album "The Bride Stripped Bare" released in 1978 and sounds completely as Roxy track (of course, should I say).

"Out Of The Blue" is solidly rendered here : a gorgeous and wild closing part brings a plus to this version. "Dance Away" is superior by far (IMO) to the studio one.

"Impossible Guitar" comes from Manzarena album "Primitive Guitars" released in 1982. It's an intrumental and wild ... guitar number. To show Phil's virtuosity, I guess. Succeeded.

While I reproached to Viva! to have forgotten most of Roxy's smash hits or great numbers, we get some other ones here : "Out Of The Blue", "A Song for Europe", "Love Is the Drug" and "Editions of You".

We have a very good cover version of a Neil Young song : "Like a Hurricane" : this song will be completely Roxy-cised if you see what I mean. One of the highlights. Fantastic guitar work from Phil.

There are a few tracks (four) from their late albums but not too much (which is fine with me, since I do not really like it). The finale of "My Only Love" is really extraordinary.

"Both Ends Burning" was already featured on Viva! Since it is one of my Roxy fave, I do not complain. The problem with this version, is that for almost four minutes it is hardly recognizable and very weak. Only the last portion features again a great solo from Phil. This great numbers is poorly rendered here and that's a pity.

Their homage to John Lennon is a good way to close this live album. Melancholic, tranquil and nice. It was only released as a single and it will be the only one to have reached the first spot in the UK charts.

In terms of entertainment, Bryan does not excell in this genre. I mentioned this already in my Viva! review. I confirm this fo having seen them three times live (as a band or performing solo).

So, no surprise here. No joke, (almost) no comments. Still, I would rate it four stars (but I'm quite a Roxy fan).

ZowieZiggy | 4/5 |

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