Live on Long Island – Bad Mary (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

The modern world is one where music is increasingly created without the intention of being played live. Technology has, of course, transformed the music world; it’s what it does, and while that has given rise to millions of music makers happy to use the internet as a direct conduit between them and their audience, it does mean that one aspect of the music industry is becoming rarer—the live album.

Thankfully, we have bands like Bad Mary, one that sees the stage as home, championing that form via their latest release, Live on Long Island. As the title suggests, this is a live document of them in action, a “best of” selection of their career to date performed live in all its raw, rebellious, riotous, rock and roll glory, just as the gods of music intended.

And I say ‘performed’ rather than ‘played,’ as, even through this audio medium, if you shut your eyes, you can see the clash of creativity and chaos, spectacle and spectacular music being soaked up by their adoring fans.

“Soapbox” explodes into live, low-slung grooves and gang vocals, punk drive and infectious, sing-along lyrics. And this is the perfect taste of what follows. “Marz Attaqx” echoes the Ramones’ ragged, rabble-rousing anthems. “Trouble” showcases the band’s versatility, part jazz-rock swinger, part hard-rock groover, the sort of cross over that bands live Blondie did so well back in the day and “Want What I Want” is a brilliant slice of rock ‘n’ soul, with blasts of horn giving the guitars a run for their money. There is even room for a brilliantly roughed-up Queen cover, which sounds like they took “Tie Your Mother Down” out the back and gave it a good kicking before presenting it live, and I mean that in the best of ways.

This is the sound of live music in all its glory: rough edges left on, between-song patter left in, energy levels lifted up, and the audience singing along and calling for more. This isn’t just the sound of a live band in action; it’s the sound of one of the best rock and roll shows on the circuit today.

It’s a great live album, and like all such captured performances it asks the listener one fundamental question…wouldn’t you rather have been there? Well, maybe next time…