SAXON – St. George’s Day Live In Manchester (2014)

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British metal legends SAXON are releasing “St. George’s Day Sacrifice – Live In Manchester”, a ‘hidden treasure’ recorded live at The Ritz in Manchester, England during the band’s Sacrifice World Tour.
Saxon traditionally performs each year a show on St. George’s Day. Honoring a fine tradition, the band is paying homage to England’s patron, Saint George, whose traditionally accepted day of his death is April 23.

This 2CD set finds a blistering performance covering a collection of Saxon’s finest work from 1979 up to 2013.
But there’s always the question if a live album is needed or not. Of course there are the milestones like Deep Purple’s ‘Made In Japan’ or UFO ‘Strangers in the Night’. But many times the release of a live record also feels like a cash-in.

It’s not the case with “St. George’s Day Sacrifice – Live In Manchester”.
First of all, this was not supposed to be released. The band listened the tapes (they record almost every show) and loved the setlist chosen for that night, but specially the raw, direct, in-your-face sound captured.
And a small German label accepted to release the 2CD set.

This double CD has a hint of ‘official bootleg’, but let me tell you; the sound quality is superb, mixed & mastered by Andy Sneap and produced by Saxon singer Biff Byford.
And we have the best set list possible; from ’80s classics like “Power And The Glory”, “And The Bands Played On”, “Ride Like The Wind” or “747” to versions of new strong Saxon songs like “Sacrifice” and “Made in Belfast”. Since I like the latest studio releases of Saxon I also appreciate the live versions of those songs.

Let me emphasize the album’s sound: this is a Real live album. It is always a thin line between staying authentic and adjusting the sound details afterwards. “St. George’s Day Sacrifice – Live In Manchester” really carries on the live feeling.
The recording production and sound capture superbly – warts and all – the energy and passion of Biff & Co. at their best playing to an appreciate crowd, and has been left deliberately raw, rather than sanitised like some live albums can be.
Saxon at its best. Turn it up loud, close your eyes and it’s just like being there.
Super Recommended.

CD 1:
01. Sacrifice
02. Wheels Of Terror
03. Power And The Glory
04. Made In Belfast
05. Rock ‘N’ Roll Gypsy
06. And The Bands Played On
07. I’ve Got To Rock (To Stay Alive)
08. Night Of The Wolf
09. Conquistador
10. Broken Heroes
11. Guardians Of The Tomb

CD 2:
01. Never Surrender
02. Ride Like The Wind
03. Crusader
04. Stand Up And Fight
05. Dallas 1 PM
06. 747 (Strangers In The Night)
07. Wheels Of Steel
08. Strong Arm Of The Law
09. Denim And Leather
10. Princess Of The Night

Biff Byford – vocals
Paul Quinn – guitars
Nigel Glockler – drums
Nibbs Carter – bass
Doug Scarratt– guitars

BUY IT !
www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=9148344
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