BLUE ÖYSTER CULT

A Long Day’s Night (Deluxe Edition CD/DVD)

This recent reissue of “A Long Day’s Night” by the legendary American hard rockers Blue Öyster Cult is a most welcome addition to this writer’s catalogue as I missed out on the atmospheric live offering when it was originally issued in 2002. This 2020 edition has been completely restored and remastered, and it looks and sounds pretty good. Recorded in Chicago during the summer solstice and featuring several outstanding songs and classics, there is very little not to like about this neat little package and the thing is that these guys are usually always firing on all cylinders when performing in front of an audience. All the trademarks and wonderful characteristic we associate with the act really come to the fore when they are on stage and “A Long Day’s Night” is a superb example of that.

The DVD contains a few more songs than the CD, but unless you were actually there the night this was captured on tape and want to relive that particular memory then I would wager that you will do just fine with the CD. B.O.C. are not the most exciting outfit to watch as such and so the DVD does not do all that much for me from a visual perspective, but man, it sounds fucking good and it is impossible not to be swept away by those muscular riffs, evocative melodies, great harmonies, and killer vocals. With the fabulous Bobby Rondinelli (Black Sabbath, Rainbow) on drums, there is no shortage of punch or power to the proceedings. Timeless pieces ala “Burning for You”, “Godzilla”, and “Don’t Fear the Reaper” are included but the real gems and highlights are “Then Came the Last Days of May” and “Harvester of Eyes”.

“A Long Day’s Night” is an enjoyable listen and a classy affair that all admirers of the band’s unique sound and vision ought to invest in, but if I had to choose between this one and “45^th Anniversary – Live in London” then I would go with the latter due to its selection of song material and unique aura…or better yet; just get them both!

http://www.blueoystercult.com/

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