DIAMOND HEAD – Live at the BBC [Limited 2-CD] out of print *HQ* Exclusive

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

Shared by a contributor, here’s the rare, out of print, 2-CD set ”Live at the BBC” by British metal stalwarts DIAMOND HEAD.
Many bands start at an underground level and then are suddenly catapulted into the mainstream almost overnight. For Stourbridge, England’s New Wave of British Heavy Metal pioneers DIAMOND HEAD, it was arguably their signing to a major label (MCA) in 1981 that promptly got the group the public recognition they so long deserved.
This seemed to all culminate with two in-concert appearances the following year, broadcast to all of England on the British Broadcasting Corporation ”BBC”. Of the two, the defining moment had to be making it to the prestigious Reading Rock Festival, where on a Friday evening they were put in the slot just prior to headliners Budgie. A historical note is that Diamond Head got their big chance in the spotlight at Reading on a mere moment’s notice, as they were only brought in at the last minute when Manowar canceled due to visa issues. Strange how some of our biggest life events seem to happen almost by accident.
Thus this CD collects two Diamond Head BBC appearances, the Reading show, and a set from over 10 years later, when the group opened for their pals Megadeth and Metallica, two acts that long credited them as an influence.

DIAMOND HEAD put on fairly energetic performances at all three live sets documented here.
The real treat of this compilation is the inclusion of the group’s appearance on the BBC “Friday Rock Show” that opens this collection. This was recorded in 1980 when these guys were barely 20 years old and had just issued their masterpiece “White Album” through mailorder and at gigs only a couple months prior.
In other words, they were young, hungry, and at their absolute peak. Even those who own the first LP are urged to seek out this CD, if only for the spirited renditions of prime-era Diamond Head staples like “Sweet and Innocent” and “Lightning to the Nations,” both captured when these songs were still brand new and therefore on the very cutting edge. The reverb on Brian Tatler’s guitar is striking on these tracks and frontman Sean Harris had never been in better form.
All in all, an absolute pleasure to listen to.
Highly Recommended

Disc One
BBC Radio One Friday Rock Show Session (29/10/1980)
1. Borrowed Time
2. Don’t You Ever Leave Me
3. Sweet And Innocent
4. Lightning To The Nation
Reading Festival 27/08/1982
5. Am I Evil?
6. In The Heat Of The Night
7. Borrowed Time
8. Don’t You Ever Leave Me
9. Sucking My Love
10. Play It Loud

Disc Two
BBC in Concert 20/10/1982
1. Borrowed Time
2. In The Heat Of The Night
3. Sucking My Love
4. To Heaven From Hell
5. Play It Loud
Milton Keynes Bowl 05/06/1993
6. Am I Evil?
7. Dust
8. Truckin’
9. To The Devil His Due
10. Sucking My Love
11. Run
12. To Heaven From Hell
13. Helpless

Lead and Backing Vocals, Guitar – Sean Harris
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Brian Tatler
Bass – Mervyn Goldsworthy
Bass, Backing Vocals – Colin Kimberley
Drums, Percussion – Duncan Scott, Jamie Lane, Robbie France

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amazon.co.uk/Live-at-BBC-Diamond-Head/dp/B003QTBTIE