Search - Stranglers :: Live in Concert

For true fans only

skak1 | 03/11/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The Stranglers were a great live band but this album is really for true obsessives of the band only. In 1980 lead singer and guitarist Hugh Cornwell went to jail for possession of heroin. In his absence the other three members held two concerts at the Rainbow in London. To replace Cornwell they called in various friends to sing and/or play guitar. These included Hazel O'Connor, Toyah Willcox, Richard Jobson (Skids), Nicky Tesco (members), Ian Dury and Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers). As a result the album is unique in the history of the group and like no other live performance. Unfortunately only one of the songs really lives up to expectations and that is Jake Burns' growling rendition of 'Down in the Sewer'. The rest will be of interest only to obsessive fans either of the Stranglers or of those friends performing with them. If you want a true Stranglers live show choose 'Live X-Certs' instead."