Review: Bryan Adams – Reckless (Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024)
Bad Records (November 15th, 2024)
Reviewer: Grant Foster
Bryan Fuckin’ Adams right?
Man’s a musical legend.
It’s his second ‘Live At The Royal Albert Hall‘ boxset, recorded at his second three-night residency at the venue earlier this year. Each night he performed one of his hit albums in full, the first celebrated the 40th anniversary of ‘Reckless‘, he also played ‘18 ‘Til I Die‘ and his most recent album ‘So Happy It Hurts‘.
The ‘Live At The Royal Albert Hall 2024‘ boxsets include a total of 36 songs across 3 CDs or 4 LPs, complemented by a Blu-Ray disc containing all three concert films and a 32-page photo book filled with exclusive images from the performances. Each film is directed by Grammy Award-winning filmmaker Dick Carruthers.
Right, that’s the blurb out of the way.
I’m reviewing the films as the soundtracks are taken from them.
First up – ‘Reckless’.
It’s in my top ten favourite albums, so I’m already on board.
First up the footage is pin sharp and intelligently shot, from the black and white backstage intro the full on live experience when BA hits the stage. Close ups of band and audience alike make you feel as though you have the best seat in the house.
Now – here’s where I’m going to inject some constructive criticism.
BA’s guitar in my ever so humble opinion is a little too low in the mix.
Damn shame that because it’s that along with the bass and drums that drives ‘Reckless‘ relentlessly forward. Keith Scott is a hell of a guitar player, providing the colour and flourishes you remember and some you don’t. ‘’My secret weapon‘’ says BA about Keith. See the end of ‘Ain’t Gonna Cry‘ to see the deep love these two have for each other.
Pat Steward on the drums and Sol Walker on bass are a ducks ass tight duo. Gary Breit tinkles the ivories.
Bryan’s voice still remains a force of nature, although it has changed.
Nowadays it’s a lot cleaner in its delivery. That rasp, evident on ‘Reckless‘, isn’t there. It’s not a criticism, just an observation.
BA is a consummate professional, introducing the evening like an old friend you haven’t seen in a while for a drink down the pub. He has an ease born of being bloody good at what he does. ‘‘I’m Bryan and I’m your singer for this evening!’’
It’s not just a note for note run through the songs though. There’s a small breakdown in ‘One Night Love Affair‘, a stop and sing along in ‘Somebody‘, as well as other small nuances that help the flow of things.
‘Kids Wanna Rock‘ is gonzoid, ‘Heaven‘ is an acoustic version kicked up a notch, ‘She’s Only Happy When She’s Dancing‘ has a delightful little guitar trade off near the end, ‘It’s Only Love‘ has Tina Turner’s spirit all over it, ‘Long Gone‘ has BA on the blues harp, ‘Ain’t Gonna Cry‘ stomps hard and ‘Summer of 69‘ just is.
There’s an unbridled joy evident here. The band loving what they do, smiling at the audience, at each other and themselves. The audience, mainly consisting of Middle Aged balding males and MILFS, compliment the Feel-good factor nicely.
They even play ‘Reckless‘, the title song and ‘Let Me Down Easy‘, both which were ultimately left off the album.
I’d buy the box set for this performance alone. Bryan might be labelled as the housewives favourite because of THAT ballad, but when he rocks, boy, he rocks hard!
Tracklist:
- One Night Love Affair
- Somebody
- Reckless
- Run to You
- Kids Wanna Rock
- Heaven
- Let Me Down Easy
- She’s Only Happy When She’s Dancin’
- It’s Only Love – Bryan Adams and Tina Turner
- Long Gone
- Ain’t Gonna Cry
- Summer of ’69
Pre-order the albums – here
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