Review: The English Beat - In Concert At The Royal Festival Hall

I'm sad to report this 20-song live set is a minor disappointment. While perfectly rendered it's somehow dull and slightly off-kilter. The English Beat are out of this world fantastic but this thing does little more than exist.

English Beat - In Concert at the Royal Festival Hall was taped on February 7, 2003 and everyone's old. Dave Wakeling looks like Burt Ward playing with the Beach Boys. Ranking Roger is thin but healthy, his energy level AARP-tastic! Saxa's still on sax, which is great for him but find me three people who thinks he's still collecting social security.

It's hard to tell there's even an audience. You can see them out there somewhere, but while people are dancing thirty yards away you also get the sense many are waiting for the main act, Quiet Riot, to come on already. Roger's constantly provoking them to get involved but the audience isn't miked so it appears he's being ignored.

This would have worked better in a hot, packed small club on a tiny stage -- like the olde days. There's nothing wrong with the band. It's the venue. This is the same problem with Devo - Live.