ROMEO’S DAUGHTER – Alive (sold out) *Exclusive*
Regarded as one of Britain’s finest AOR mainstream rock bands, ROMEO’S DAUGHTER are releasing “Alive“, the first full live concert footage of Romeo’s Daughter on stage, available as a double pack containing both a DVD and a live audio CD of the show, including a previously unreleased track.
Fronted by the sexy Leigh Matty – recently voted Number 5 ‘Lady Rock Singer of all time’ in Classic Rock Magazine – “Alive” was recorded at Derby Guild Hall in October 2013 as part of the ‘Rapture’ tour, their great comeback album.
The band’s pedigree is second to none, with each member having previously worked at the highest levels with artists such as Bonnie Tyler, Roxette, Meatloaf, John Parr and more.
Romeo’s Daughter eponymous debut album released in 1988 produced by ‘Mutt’ Lange and John Parr was a big success, followed by the wonderful ‘Delectable’ in 1993.
After a long hiatus, the band’s last album ‘Rapture’ was released in 2012 and has been critically praised worldwide for its astounding songwriting, performance and production.
“Alive” is not the typical live record, it’s more like a greatest hits played live, as there’s few crowd noises and the overall sound is pristine and clear.
The band struck out early with material from last album Rapture, which still captures all of Romeo’s Daughter’s style and verve with a little more besides. The easy charms of the melodies and Craig Joiner’s understated guitar worm their way deep inside your brain.
The new songs as the tuneful “Bittersweet”, the jumpin’ “Keep Walking”, the catchy “Talking Love” and the superb ballad “Lightning” (played in a more midtempo AOR manner here) are mixed with the classics like “Attracted To The Animal”.
There’s also a previously unreleased track called “Perfect Plan”, a melodic rocker with a contagious chorus. The set also included the rarely played “Dancing Slow” from album Delectable, and one of my favorites from the band.
We have an intimate, acoustic version of “Will Be”, just with Joiner on guitar and Leigh delivering an emotive vocal performance.
The back end of the set is chock full of gems from the wonderful, heart-wrenching “Cry Myself to Sleep” to the hit “Heaven in the Back Seat”, all played in a more rocking versions than the originals.
The last song was the full-on rock of “Wild Child” which drew a fanatical response as it reminded us how it was ‘poached’ by Heart for their Brigade album.
“Alive” is a very good release by Romeo’s Daughter, where more than a ‘live crowd’ record the band offers different versions of their songs into a live stage context. They are so polished that at places sound like a studio album.
However there’s a different vibration emerging from these great songs, a rocking spirit which fit the melodies really well. An enjoyable CD from start to finish while we wait for the new studio album ‘Spin’ to be released next year.
“Alive” is available with the first 200 copies housed in a unique limited edition presentation box, so be quick.
Highly Recommended
01. Trippin’ Out
02. Attracted To The Animal
03. Keep Walking
04. Lightning
05. Perfect Plan (Previously Unreleased)
06. Talking Love
07. Bittersweet
08. Dancing Slow
09. Velvet Tongue
10. Cannot Be The One
11. Alive
12. Stay With Me
13. Will Be
14. Inside Out
15. Cry Myself To Sleep
16. Heaven In The Backseat
17. Wild Child
Leigh Matty – vocals
Craig Joiner – guitar
Ed Poole – bass
Andy Wells – drums
Volker – keyboards
sold out
www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-CD-DVD-Romeos-Daughter/dp/B00O92NLOM
