Singer
Spike opens the album with "Good evening Wembley - We're the Quireboys and this is Rock 'N' Roll". Actually my review could have ended now, because the line "This is Rock 'N' Roll" encompasses everything that Quireboys and this live album is about.
Despite some line-up changes Quireboys still sound the same. Good time Rock 'n' Roll never goes out of fashion. Characteristic of Quireboys is
Spike's hoarse, boozy and smoky vocals. The tight rhythm section consists of Luke Bossendorfer on guitar, original member Nigel Mogg on bass and new drummer Jason Bonham. Jason plays a short drum solo including the legendary drum intro to Led Zeppelin's
Rock 'N' Roll at the end of
This is Rock 'N' Roll. Pretty cool way to pay homage to his late father John Bonham of Led Zeppelin.
"100% Live" was recorded over 9 nights at "The Monsters Of Rock" UK Tour during November 2002. Besides Quireboys the Tour featured Dogs D'amour,
Thunder and headliner Alice Cooper. Since it was recorded over several nights there are fadeouts between the songs, but the album loses nothing in intensity.
Hey You opens the party with superb slide playing by Guy
Griffin. The foundation stone in Quireboys' set-list is the chart hits from their debut album "A Bit of what you fancy". Only song from "Bitter Sweet and Twisted" is
Tramps and Thieves. A verse line from that song well-defines the world of Quireboys "Did I tell ya I loved ya - When I was lying above Ya". The lyrics deal mostly with sex, party and drinking in particular. Stuff that lyric writer
Spike can relate to I am pretty sure.
Main songwriters on Quireboys' 2 first albums were
Spike and Guy Bailey. Since Guy Bailey isn't in the band anymore, Guy
Griffin has taken over the role as
Spike's sidekick.
Griffin proves to be a great songwriter co-writing all songs on the comeback album "This is Rock 'n' Roll" from 2001. The new songs sound excellent in concert and fit in perfectly with Quireboys' classic material.
C'Mon is a new Quireboys classic, where Guy
Griffin fires off loads of Rock 'n' Roll riffs Chuck Berry style. Both
Turn Away and
This is Rock 'N' Roll rocks big time and
Show Me The Way has
Spike in top-form.
The band rips through sweat-dripping versions of the classic
Whippin Boy and the live favorite
Sex Party. An energetic
Spike constantly appeals to the crowd to sing-along to
Sex Party. The performance oozes that Quireboys have a great time on stage.
The show ends with power ballad
I Don't Love You Anymore, which was Quireboys' key to the masses. Written in 1990 the lyrics are timeless and after all these years
Spike still puts all emotion in his singing. The song peaks after second verse and the characteristic guitar solo, which is one of those classic solos that are memorized forever. Played live Keith Weir adds some Hammond organ to the guitar solo. Everything falls into place on
I Don't Love You Anymore, which forever will be one of my favorite ballads.
The show ends with the party tune
7 O'clock, which is a true Rock 'N' Roller with harmonica, bar-piano and sparkling "Whoo Whoo" choir.
"100 % Live 2002" is a fantastic live record - a fiery cocktail of Whiskey, guitars, piano and
Spike's boozy voice equal 100 % proof Rock 'n' Roll. The great artwork captures most of the mentioned elements.
The title states "100 % Live" and that is trustworthy. The backing choir and
Spike falls out a few times, but that just understates this is an honest and real recording. It's quite charming because you can easily imagine being at the show yourself. Quireboys is a live band and the live experience of Quireboys transfers well on this record.
I have a feeling that in company with
Spike and the lads it's always
7 O'clock and time for a party. Light a fog, pour a nice drink of Scotch, put this CD on - Crank it up and let the party begin.
Written by
Michael Friday, October 3, 2003
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