DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS : AT THE BBC 1982

  1. T.S.O.P.
  2. Burn It Down
  3. Let's Make This Precious
  4. Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)
  5. Come On Eileen
  6. Soon
  7. Plan B
  8. Geno
  9. Respect
  10. Old
  11. The Celtic Soul Brothers (More, Please, Thank You)
  12. There There My Dear
  13. Show Me
  14. I'll Show You
    Bonus Tracks :
  15. Let's Make This Precious
  16. Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)
  17. All In All (This One Last Wild Waltz)
  18. Old
  19. Reminisce (Part 1)

Label : Mercury / RSD

Venue : Exhibition Park, Newcastle, UK

Recording Date : June 26, 1982

Release Date : 2007

Length : 78:02

Quality : Soundboard recording (A+)

Review (Soundsadvisors) : The Dexys' 1982 BBC show at Newcastle was special in more than one way - not only was it the only occasion where the horn section of the previous Projected Passion Revue performed alongside the new Too-Rye-Ay lineup (the strings), it also was the first time their later monster hit 'Come On Eileen' was performed live - even before the song was released as a single. But the joint effort of the horns and strings is it what makes it so exceptional. Starting off as Mod-revival outfit in the late 70s the Dexys were already well known in Britain for anthems like 'Geno' (a tribute to northernsoulicon Geno Washington) or 'There, There My Dear', so when they entered the stage on this particular day they were very well welcomed. They knew exactly how to increase the enthusiasm of the audience when they followed the surprising instrumental opener 'TSOP' (a cover of the philly anthem) with the fan favorite 'Burn It Down', but instead of relying on older hit material they switched to new songs; 'Let's Make This Precious', a glorious cover of Van Morrsion's 'Jackie Wilson Said' and a highly appreciated and rousing 'Come On Eileen'. Obviously the audience was simply overwhelmed by the new tracks and after cooling them down a little bit by performing the B-side ballad 'Soon' they went back to the older material starting off with the renewed 'Plan B' which was later included on the 'Too-Rye-Aye' album in a very similar version. 'Geno' then was of course celebrated by the audience and followed by a very devoted cover of 'Respect'. It didn't matter that Rowland couldn't always strike the right note due to his limitated siniging abilities as the verve and the intensity of his singing made up for it. With the sad but touching 'Old' they once again changed course before they took off with the refreshening first single 'The Celtic Soul Brothers' from the new soon to come album Two more proven and tested hits 'There, There My Dear' and 'Show' and the new song 'I'll Show You' closed the show and this sought after Live album. Thanks to Record Store Day 2019 it recieved a re-issue now and for the very first time on vinyl and expanded by four songs form a David Jensen BBC show session; and believe me - it's incredible. BBC's sound engineers really did a good job back then in 1982, cause it sounds incredible. Dynamic, warm, clear and surprisingly the green splatter vinyl doesn't affect the quality. If you can afford a copy anywhere - buy it. It's definitely one of the best live recordings of the 80's, intoxicating and entertaining.

Note : The Record Store Day release was also the bonus disc of the 25th anniversay deluxe edition of Too-Rye-Ay. That version is presented here.