A wonderful reminder of why Status Quo were, and still are, considered one of the best live Rock bands in the business.

This is a four disc re-issue box-set that features Status Quo's seminal 1976 double "Live" album, 'Tokyo Quo' and 'Live Sydney' together. Classic Rock writer Dave Ling provides the extensive liner notes, plus there is a host of rare photos that have been supplied by "fifth member" Bob Young.

The original 1976 live album is considered a classic of its time, one of the few with little, if any, overdubs. It was recorded at the legendary Glasgow Apollo on the 'Blue For You' tour and it captures the band loud, raw and Rocking. One highlight included is the seventeen minute version of 'Forty Five Hundred Times'!

'Tokyo Quo' was originally only released in Japan, until a limited edition vinyl version was released for Record Store Day 2014. These nine tracks recorded in 1976 at the Sunplaza Hall have the band firing on all cylinders; the sound is crisp and the band sound tight. Highlights include a pounding 'Is There A Better Way' and an energetic 'Roll Over Lay Down'.
The thirteen tracks that make up 'Live Sydney' are from a 1974 show, they differ in that the groovy 'Railroad' and a rather poor version of 'Claudie' are included.

The sound is by far the most raw, although I feel this adds an air of live authenticity to the album. Francis Rossi supplies plenty of between song banter, while the band is on fire, especially during a tremendous version of The Doors 'Roadhouse Blues'. 'Caroline', fresh from being written, is delivered in true Quo fashion, and the inevitable closing song 'Bye Bye Johnny' has full audience participation.

This box-set is a wonderful reminder of why Status Quo were, and still are, considered one of the best live Rock bands in the business.

Ray Paul