The six albums released by the original
Bad Company
between 1974 and 1982 arguably defined arena rock and, by extension, classic rock. The hard-hitting, no-frills, soulful sound created by vocalist
Paul Rodgers
(who also contributed piano and guitar occasionally), lead guitarist
Mick Ralphs
, bass guitarist
Boz Burrell
, and drummer
Simon Kirke
lives on through eternal radio airplay.
Rodgers
,
Ralphs
Burrell
, and
Kirke
reunited in 1999 to remind the public about the original band's legacy and downplay (if not bury) the
-less
lineups that experienced various levels of success from the late '80s through much of the 1990s.
died in 2006, but
joined forces for a few short tours since then to keep the original
's musical flag flying proudly. Released in 2011,
Live at Wembley
captures a concert at London's Wembley Arena on April 11, 2010. (Since
's passing, two members of
' solo band -- former
Heart
guitarist
Howard Leese
and bass guitarist
Lynn Sorensen
-- have supplemented the core surviving trio.) The band turns in a strong performance in its home country with all of the major pop and rock radio hits present and accounted for, often with extended intros and jams: "Can't Get Enough," "Run with the Pack," "Seagull," "Feel Like Makin' Love," "Shooting Star," "Rock and Roll Fantasy," "Movin' On," "Ready for Love," and "Bad Company." Classics are expected during a concert, of course, but any live performance by a band of
's stature is fleshed out with album cuts, minor hits, and overlooked gems revered by die-hard fans. Therefore, "Honey Child," the hit cover of
the Coasters
' "Young Blood," "Gone, Gone, Gone," "Electric Land," "Simple Man," and "Deal with the Preacher" truly complete the package, while the underappreciated "Electric Land" from 1982's otherwise lackluster
Rough Diamonds
is a major treat. [Note: Due to CD playing time limitations, "Burnin' Sky" is omitted, but it is included on the
Blu-ray and DVD.] ~ Bret Adams