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BFD [Release date 25.11.22]
When you are the most famous drummer on the planet and want to tour, there really is a who’s who of musicians in your little black book to call upon. Having first started playing with his stellar ensemble in 1989, the line-up has had multiple line-up changes, Ringo bringing in old friends who are free at the time. Their eighth in concert recording, ‘Live at the Greek 2019’ sees the band back at one of their favourite venues, the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and on phenomenal form, the current cohort of players arguably the best blend brought together under the banner.
Joined by Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie, Hamish Stuart, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Gregg Bisonette, Starr romps through a set that encompasses the careers of all onstage and throws in some other tasty treats along the way, including rocking opener, Carl Perkin’s ‘Matchbox’. It’s straight into Ringo’s ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ and the Beatles ‘What Goes On’, the pair adding gasoline to the fire, the drummer an engaging frontman. With Rolie taking over lead vocals, Santana’s ‘Evil Ways’ was full of a captivating magic and an extended romp through ‘Rosanna’ sees Toto six-stringer Lukather tearing into a fiery solo, Ham’s joint vocals adding a wonderful edge.
The full-on proto funk of Average White Band’s ‘Picking Up the Pieces’ and Men At Work’s ‘Down Under’ turned the amphitheatre into a party, Stuart and Hay obviously having a ball as they led the band through their respective hits and the good times rolled on and on. Watching the show, you can’t help but be swept up with the enthusiasm and the whole is laden with the feeling that you’re witnessing the world’s best, and most expensive, living jukebox. ‘Don’t Pass Me By’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’, with its cheeky snatch of ‘Day Tripper’ from Lukather, are great singalongs and ‘Cut the Cake’ features some great sax by Ham.
With Starr by his side, their two kits synchronised perfectly, Bisonette brings a real, dynamic groove to ‘Black Magic Woman’ and later ‘Hold the Line’ rocks hard, its famously propulsive riff ringing out clear and true. Despite the star wattage of their band leader, everyone gets their fare share of the spotlight throughout and the highlights are many, the ferocious ‘Work to Do’ and Hay’s extraordinary vocals on ‘Overkill’ and ‘Who Can It Be Now’ to name just three. Throughout, the stellar ensemble shine and it’s the multi-instrumentalist Ham who is their secret weapon, his tenor sax and upper register voice splashing glorious colours throughout the mix.
With numbers from Starr’s storied back catalogue like the aptly titles ‘Anthem’, a lovely run through of ‘Photograph’ and ‘Act Naturally’ and the Fab Four’s ‘I Wanna BE Your Man’, it’s an evening of wildly euphoric nostalgia and an appreciation of world class players. By the time the band is joined by fellow past alumni like Eric Carmen, Joe Walsh, Nils Lofgren and Edgar Winter amongst others for a triumphantly heartfelt ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ and ‘Give Peace A Chance’ a sea of dancing, cheering and singing bodies fills every space in this famous place. A life affirming event, perfectly captured, ‘Live at the Greek 2019’ makes you feel good to be alive and you can’t say any better than that. Brilliant. *****
Review by Paul Monkhouse
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