Be Bop Deluxe at the BBC 1974 - 1978

Fantastic BBC archival material from one of the great "lost" groups of the 70's. I'm a "vinyl" guy and prefer to listen to music in that format - however, in recent times "remastered" material in the digital format has taken a giant leap forward in quality. This three CD, one DVD, gem is no exception. I haven't stopped listening to these BBC recordings since I got this in the mail. I always think of Be Bop Deluxe as a rock vehicle for Bill Nelson, and, indeed it is - but, I have to comment on how well his band mates perform and compliment Bill Nelson's fantastic songs. Andrew Clark on keyboards is revelatory throughout and deserves some recognition for his work - Simon Fox excels on drums and Charlie Tumahai is fun to watch on the DVD material. I highly recommend this work and while your at it pick up Futurist Manifesto for Be Bop's studio work. When you're done absorbing all this fantastic material and wondering why these guys weren't huge mosey on over to Bill Nelson's web site and be prepared to be blown away by the plethora of solo material put forth by a true rock'n roll genius. The only downside to this product is the flimsy plastic CD case attempting to house four discs.

Wow i mean Wow. with this purchase i have tripled my bebop deluxe. for years i have had 2 vinyl records. this set gives me a bunch more. i looked at some of the reviews before i bought this. some folks mentioned that this band didn't catch on in america because their record company didn't know how to crack the market. well i say that is not the case. all artists may want validation for their craft, but not all artists want fame to the point of giving up ones ability to move freely. hey if bill nelson walked by me on the sidewalk i wouldn't know him. but that doesn't mean i dismiss him either. i am a music lover always searching for that sound. it's my major addiction. a benign addiction but one i embrace. Be bop deluxe entered my world in the 80's through a girlfriend. thanks janice where ever you are. now for the fans still reading this get it now you will not be let down. how could you IT'S BE BOP DELUXE nuff said.

This is essential for any Be Bop Deluxe fan. Now that the CD version is no longer available, used copies of it are in the stratosphere. So this is the reasonable alternative cost wise. While you may have all of Be Bop Deluxe's albums, the live versions often have different arrangements, plus there is something about hearing Bill Nelson play in a live environment. I put off buying this for a long time, but I can say it's worth the money.

Much of this material had been previously available on two single disc releases, 1998's "Tramcar To Tomorrow" and 2002's "Tremulous Antenna", both now OOP.The three CD's on this set contain eleven additional previously-unreleased tracks from the same shows, and now also in-between-songs BN stage chatter that wouldn't fit on the two single-disc releases. Both the previous CD's were mastered with loudness compression, while this new set is not, so there is a marked difference in overall volume when comparing this new set to the older titles.This new set also includes a Region-0 DVD with great footage of the band performing 13 songs live in various years (it's fun to watch the keyboard stacks grow as time progresses), in excellent video & sound quality. Many of the segments have appeared on YouTube, but they all look far better on this DVD.One caveat: This set is inexplicably missing two Tramcar tracks, "Crying To The Sky" and "Peace Of Mind". According to the liner notes, both were recorded the same day as the Hammersmith Odeon show which comprises the entirety of disc #2 in this new set. The production credits are different however, so it's not clear if these two missing tracks were also from that show, or recorded earlier (a soundcheck, perhaps?). Disc #2 is only 57 minutes in length, and the two missing tracks are nine minutes combined, so why were they left off?It's always great to get ANY additional vintage BBD live material, and with all the recent afore-mentioned releases, plus the incredible Live at Metropolis Studios London and Practice Of Everyday Life sets, this has been a heady and dizzingly wonderful last couple of years for die-hard BBD fans. While omitting that great live version of "Crying To The Sky" (one of my all-time BBD favs) was slightly disappointing for me, I still have my Tramcar disc.

Being a Be Bop fan for years when I saw that this set was released I was ecstatic!The DVD alone was worth the cost of this set. Video quality was second to none especially for when it was filmed, and the sound is top notch.The first thing I did was pop the DVD into the player and it only leaves you wanting more.I haven't listened to the CD's yet, but if they're as good as the DVD what more could you ask for? MORE???Hopefully this isn't the last we've seen or heard of Be Bop Deluxe.

This is a great set of now released concert archival material throughout this overlooked and passed over band's career. Bill Nelson's guitar work is legendary in it's articulation, clarity, and execution. Of most interest to me was both the studio and live version of "Millstreet Junction", which until now I've not heard before. The DVD video is also great! I give this 4 disc set my highest recommendation!! I'm hoping that someday a live version of Axe Victim, Crying To The Sky, and Sleep That Burns will surface.