Essential Motorhead
To celebrate 30 years (Is it really 30 years?) since the incarnation of Motorhead, they have released the original BBC recordings and other rare live performances. I have to admit to not being a big Motorhead fan, so it was with a sense of apprehension that I put the first of this two CD set into my stereo. John Peel originally broadcasted the first four tracks in 1978 and it opens with 'Keep us on the Road'. The first thing that strikes you is the raw but incredibly clear production. With a feel of early AC/DC 'Louie Louie' and 'I'll Be Your Sister' thump out of your speakers as if Motorhead have just arrived in your living room, plugged in and turned up.
It was nice to hear the immortal Tommy Vance introducing the band for the live set from the Paris Theatre, London in 1979. Although the sound is a little messy it doesn't detract anything from the energy of the performance. You can hear Motorhead are enjoying themselves, playing their own brand of dirty rock and roll especially in the head-nodding groove of 'I'll Be Your Sister'.
Disc two concentrates on Motorhead in the 80s with the first half consisting of a session recorded in 1981 for David Jenson including such tracks as 'Fast and Loose' and 'Live to Win', the latter being the pick of the bunch. The production is tidier than the earlier recording but it is still raw and the good mix means the songs lose none of their drive. The end of this CD collection is a session taken from the Friday Rock Show from 1986 just after the release of their 'Orgasmatron' album. Sounding more like a demo, this is perhaps the less effective of these BBC recordings even though it includes such tracks as 'Killed by Death' and 'Orgasmatron'. The energy which oozes out of the earlier sessions isn't as rife but the choice of songs is good which somewhat saves this second CD.
This isn't a collection for everyone. The die-hard fans and also general Motorhead fans should see this as an essential purchase with the energy and attitude of the band being very prevalent. I don't think the collection will bring them many new fans but with the absence of such cuts as 'Ace of Spades' and 'Bomber', I feel this isn't the purpose of this release. I started the review not really being a Motorhead fan but I think after listening to the BBC sessions, a quick trip to HMV to see if they have any albums in the two for one offer may be in order.