40 years is a damn lifetime for most. And it’s that length of time since the iconic Bryan Adam’s album “Reckless” has been released.
And what better way to celebrate the anniversary of an album, then to perform 3 nights in a row, your most famous album in full, start to finish. And performing it in an iconic venue too, London’s Royal Albert Hall. But not just the 1 album, 3 nights performing 3 different albums.
If you are a Bryan Adam’s fan (which I am not), then you are going to absolutely be in awe of this box set.
I am knackered just thinking about it. 3 nights in a row, with a serious production. The sound, the footage and the artistry and skill across all 3 live recordings is just phenomenal. I mentioned that I am not much of a Bryan Adam’s fan, but that doesn’t deter me away from enjoying what has been created here. If anything, this review has almost reeled me in on the Adams “fanboy” team. Ok maybe not that much, but I do love a good live performance, and when it comes to watching from the comfort of your own home, this is one of the best.
The camera work is just perfect and really gets you into those hard-to-reach places that you would just not experience had you been there in person. And the behind the scenes black and white footage is stunning. Slow panning on wide shots to give you that beautiful view of the Royal Albert Hall (RAH) with a breath-taking view of this iconic building. We are pulled in close and right up on stage as if we were part of the band. And if you yourself play an instrument or had been in a band at some time or another in your life, then you will be right up there rocking with Bryan and the boys. We come back and forth from the stage to the crowd, and we get to dig deep from the point of view of the hard core fans as if we were right there screaming up at Bryan with loving eyes asking him to “be our underwear” lol. You can really see the smiles and glimmer in the faces of the crowd. The experience of feeling the vibrations in the room pop out at you from the screen.
Across the 3 nights, Bryan performs 2 of his bestselling albums “Reckless” & “18 Till I Die”, and to end the 3 night residency, we get to experience his latest release “So Happy It Hurts” which was recording on his own during the pandemic, but really comes to life in this beautiful live environment.
Bryan has experienced an incredible career over the years and despite the huge commercial success, there is a feeling of great humbleness presented on stage. For example, during the first night opening, an avid fan screams up at the stage “We love you Bryan”, and without hesitation, Bryan smiles and brushes it off by saying “That’s my brother”.
There is a great sense of Ego being left at the door here, and these 3 nights are just all about the love of the music, and I have a lot more appreciation for the music and the artist after this experience.
If this performance was able to capture the heart of a cranky Dubliner, then imagine what it will do for a diehard Bryan Adams fan. Youd be mad not to treat yourself this crimbo.
The box set includes either three CDs or four LPs, boasting a total of 36 tracks. Both sets include a blu ray, featuring all three concert films, and the box is completed with a 32-page photo book. The concert films were directed by the award-winning filmmaker Dick Carruthers and all has been released today, Friday the 15th.
Put your feet up, make yourself a whiskey on the rocks, and settle in for an adventure through the below tracks. A lifetime, of Bryan Adams.
RECKLESS
ONE NIGHT LOVE AFFAIR
SOMEBODY
RECKLESS
RUN TO YOU
KIDS WANNA ROCK
HEAVEN
LET ME DOWN EASY
SHE’S ONLY HAPPY WHEN SHE’S DANCIN’
IT’S ONLY LOVE
LONG GONE
AIN’T GONNA CRY
SUMMER OF 69
18 TIL I DIE
18 TIl I DIE
DO TO YOU
LET’S MAKE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
(I WANNA BE) YOUR UNDERWEAR
STAR
IT AIN’T A PARTY.. IF YOU CAN’T COME ROUND
YOU’RE STILL BEAUTIFUL TO ME
I’LL ALWAYS BE RIGHT THERE
WE’RE GONNA WIN
I THINK ABOUT YOU
THE ONLY THING THAT LOOKS GOOD ON ME IS YOU
HAVE YOU EVER REALLY LOVED A WOMAN?
SO HAPPY IT HURTS
KICK ASS
ON THE ROAD
JUST ABOUT GONE
LET’S DO THIS
JUST LIKE ME, JUST LIKE YOU
I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU
NEVER GONNA RAIN
YOU LIFT ME UP
ALWAYS HAVE ALWAYS WILL
I AIN’T WORTH SHIT WITHOUT YOU
SO HAPPY IT HURTS
THESE ARE THE MOMENTS THAT MAKE UP MY LIFE
Live at the Royal Albert Hall gets a 7 out of 10
Reviewer Carl Foran – @carlforanphotography