Review of Bad Company: Live

Introduction

Those of us who got our musical education in the Eighties (or even the Nineties) may not know who they are but Bad Company were one of the definitive Seventies super groups. Members of Free, Mott The Hoople, and King Crimson came together to play blues-rock and, for a while, made some decent music like the libidinous "Can`t Get Enough" and "Feel Like Makin` Love". But, like all super groups, they soon descended into self parody. And, like most super groups (Asia, for example), they staged a comeback recently. This DVD, filmed in 2002, captures the band (with only two original members - Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke - both from Free) running through their greatest hits.

Video

The video is letterboxed at 1.78:1 and is decent without being anything special. The image is fairly clear, fairly detailed but with a little smearing and softness cropping up occasionally.

The footage itself is standard stadium fare being livened only by the occasional split screen effect. Recently, the exceptional 24 has given split screen some credibility but this is a throwback to the 70s. Heh. A bit like the band itself.

Audio

Audio comes in DD 2.0, DD 5.1 and DTS variants and all are decent without being anything special. They are all crisp and detailed with the DD 5.1 (to my mind) just having the edge in clarity - but there`s not much in it. The sound isn`t as strong or as forceful as it should be, lacking a really deep bottom end, but it`s OK.

The performance is likewise decent but nothing out of the ordinary. The band is tight and competent without ever coming close to an inspired moment. Paul Rodgers is the star of the show and after 30 years still has a superb voice. But his performance lacks real passion. It`s a competent run through of the band`s repertoire but no more.

There are no highlights of note - all the songs tend to sound samey after a while. The songs that (to me) should have been the highlights - "Can`t Get Enough" and the Free classic "All Right Now" - were ruined by some gratuitous audience participation during the fabulous chorus. It might have been great fun if you`d been there but no fun for the viewer at home.

Features

The extras are largely text based and pretty dull. The backstage and interview segments hold the interest for a while but occasionally veer to close to Tap territory for comfort. The sight of a overweight fifty year old trying to squeeze his white flabby body into strides two sizes too small is just embarrassing. The "Famous Friends" tribute piece where worthies - like Slash, Glenn Hughes (Trapeze - who?), Neal Schon (Journey) - pay tribute to the band`s talents is just boring.

Conclusion

The DVD is called "Merchants of Cool" and, to be brutally honest, this is a complete misnomer - "Dinosaurs of Rock" might be more accurate. This disc consists of a band, past its sell-by date, rambling through some, admittedly great, hits and some which weren`t so great to begin with. The performance is fine and, if you have fond memories of the band, this will undoubtedly give you some pleasure. However, the closing track - the new "Joe Fabulous" - is as cringe worthy as its title might suggest and will be shunned by even sympathetic fans.

Paul Rodger`s voice will be the main draw and is still holding up well. However, if you aren`t a confirmed fan, I suggest you go and buy the 1974 album "Bad Company" in place of this.