Cleopatra [Release date 05.04.24]

British band Foghat, who were formed by members of Savoy Brown and Black Cat Bones in the early, have produced some of the finest blues/rock ever laid to record over the years, and some live albums that leave you clamouring for more too. And this album’s no exception.

Moving from an earthy rhythm and blues to stadium blues rock in the 70s, the band were fronted by singer/guitarist Lonesome Dave Peverett, with drummer Roger Earl the other constant through a few line-up changes. The band split in the mid 80s, and the original line-up of Peverett, Earl, lead/slide guitarist Rod Price and bassist Tony Stevens reformed in the 90s.

This blistering live performance, already legendary amongst fans, finally gets a proper release and so welcome it is too.

Recorded in 1999, it would have been one of Peverett’s last performances, as he was undergoing chemotherapy for a cancer that would take him early the following year. Alongside him, Earl and Stevens is new member Bryan Bassett (Wild Cherry, Molly Hatchet), replacing Price who had not long left the band.

The set opens with the driving ‘Drivin’ Wheel’, from their classic Night Shift album, and from the outset Bassett shows his slide guitar skills, doing a fine job of replacing Rod ‘The Bottle’ Price, and the rest of the band are on fire too. Listening to this you’d never realise how ill Peverett was.

‘Somebody’s Been Sleepin’ In My Bed’ follows, and goes down well. And as if you needed any proof of the band’s blues credentials, there are three tracks from Stone Blue: the title track, Robert Johnson’s ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ and the Elmore James’ classic ‘It Hurts Me Too’. Each are extended, the slide guitar and blues rock edge just mind blowing. Even the dead would rock out to these tracks.

New tracks ‘Rock This House’ and ‘Angel Of Mercy’ are just as outstanding, proof that the band weren’t resting on laurels.

A trip back to the mid 70s and title track ‘Fool For The City’ (you know the album, Rod Price fishing through a manhole in a New York road), this seriously rocks, a familiar riff and chorus, a song to lift any spirit. Bassett adds his own stamp in places and the track is as good as ever.

Willie Dixon’s ‘I Just Want To Make Love To You’ (a song much covered, Foghat’s version on their 1972 debut probably the best known and most successful) gets a whizz through, the riff and phrasing made the song their own and set a new template. Much as I love the Alex Harvey and Saxon versions, Foghat’s version stands head and shoulders above, and the crowd sing the title line here with aplomb.

Closing with a return to Fool For The City, and the band’s signature song ‘Slow Ride’. A slow to mid-paced rock song with searing slide guitar, just wonderful. Distilled, undiluted rock and blues magnificence. Although it’s a shame there’s no tracks from the Return Of The Boogie Men reformation album, there really cannot be any complaints about a disc brim full of such wonderful rock’n’roll.

The DVD is just as good. What’s lovely about seeing the band onstage here is that they are clearly enjoying themselves, and rock out together like a very happy family. Those smiles as they play, makes everything worthwhile. This set epitomises what rock’n’roll is all about. And between songs there are snippets of backstage chats and interviews. Nice.

Nothing short of 5/5 can do this album justice. Enjoy. *****

Review by Joe Geesin

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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THE HOWLERS I Need Your Love (indie)
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WILLS AND THE WILLING Scuffed Knees (Smash & Grab Music Ltd)
READY THE PRINCE Still Believe (indie)

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