CHRIS THOMPSON – Berlin Live [2CD] (2012)

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CHRIS THOMPSON is one of those people who has helped shape the history of rock music and you could definitely say he’s one of the ‘voices of rock’.

With his distinctive vocal style the man has thrilled us on albums by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Night, Gary Moore, Alan Parsons, Starship and so on.

After leaving Manfred Mann’s Earth Band he has embarked on a successful solo career, which sees him mostly touring Germany and Scandinavia, places where classic rock acts are still thriving when it comes to live performances.

From one such tour comes his latest live album, “Berlin Live”, a 2CD/DVD combo, which is a mouth-watering prospect for any Chris Thompson fan.

As Chris is best remembered for his role as Manfred Mann Earth Band singer and that’s what the fans still want to hear, we naturally find that the tracklist is dominated by MMEB material.

His back-up band of Scandinavian musicians is leaded by Norwegian guitar wizard Mads Eriksen, and the group puts its own slant on things and aren’t afraid to branch out in directions that MMEB didn’t go. That’s said; a more classic / melodic rock orientation.

Thompson and the band sure know how to polish these already pretty flawless jewels.

Besides the MMEB material – which is a must at Chris Thompson shows these days – a few nice surprises also tickle our adventurous nerves.

We have some of Chris’ classic songs with Night and from his solo albums, but the greatest surprise comes in the never heard arrangement of “You’re the Voice”, a song which Chris co-wrote for John Farham’s huge hit.

Other welcomed inclusions are the swaying, harmonica-oiled blues “Whole Lot To Give” from his collaboration with Mads Eriksen – who has a solo spot here on “Davy’s on the Road Again” (great guitar playing) – and a graceful, breezy version of “Hot Summer Night” from the singer’s underrated late ’70s project Night.

Still, the emotional zenith comes down with the classic “If You Remember Me”, and the bare-bones “For You”, a measure of the artist’s dedication to his audience who’s thanked, each one by name, in the booklet.

Live albums are usually intended for fans. “Berlin Live” is much more than that.

Actually most of these great songs find a new shape here, almost like a new material with new arrangements and some tour de force performances.

The band is in full flight on the whole album. They bring a breath of fresh air to all the songs and offer Chris a variety of choices. Most of all, the group seems to be enjoying itself and Thompson sounds really good, totally convincing in his delivery and performance.

This is a ‘real live’ album, no overdubs. “Berlin Live” is the full experience: repertoire, performances, live audience reaction. Just the full concert as if you were there.

Recommended.

CD 1

01 – Father of day

02 – Wasting time

03 – Spirits in the night

04 – Hot summer nights

05 – Martha’s madman

06 – Land of the long white cloud

07 – Whole lot to give

08 – If you remember me

09 – Don’t kill it Carol

10 – Redemption song

11 – Runner

12 – Mighty Quinn

CD 2

01 – Piece for the wicked

02 – You Angel you

03 – Davy’s on the road again

04 – Blinded by the light

05 – For you

06 – You’re the voice

07 – Questions

Chris Thompson – Vocals, Guitar

Mads Eriksen – Guitars

Gunnar Bjelland – Keyboards

Frank Hovland – Bass

Zsolt Meszaros – Drums

Steinar Krokstad – Drums

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www.amazon.co.uk/Berlin-Live-The-Aschaffenburg-Remains/dp/B0080CUWJE