Blue Öyster Cult - Forbidden Delights (2015)

Amongst the audience for this landmark West Coast concert was Sylvie Simmons, local reporter for leading UK music weekly the 'New Musical Express'. She welcomed the more intimate nature of the event, noting that last time BOC had played in the area the venue was one of those monstrous stadium fiascos where, without binoculars, it's a bit like watching the bumps on a page of Braille. Setting the scene for this evening's performance, she wrote: BOC start out pretty revved up with Dr. Music. Allen Lanier's out front doing a Stevie Nicks, shaking a heavy metal tambourine, Joseph Bouchard's trying to outdo him on the maracas, and Eric Bloom's going 'Hey LA' and rabble rousing quite wonderfully. 'Fire Of Unknown Origin' was BOC's current release when this broadcast recording was made. The band were on a roll as Burnin' For You had hit the US Top 40 and the album went on to become a platinum-seller. In addition to that track, live versions of Veteran of the Psychic Wars, Joan Crawford and Heavy Metal are all included herein. Other earlier BOC classics showcased in this superb performance include Cities on Flame with Rock And Roll (from their debut album), Hot Rails to Hell, The Red and the Black (from 'Tyranny and Mutation') and E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) and (Don't Fear) The Reaper (from 'Agents of Fortune'). Blue Oyster Cult's choice of cover versions is admirable and both Mars Bonfire's perennial rocker, Born To Be Wild, popularised by Steppenwolf, and The Doors' relentless Roadhouse Blues - with guest guitarist Robby Krieger adding extra muscle here - fit perfectly with the group's own riff-laden monsters.