801 Manchester [2009 Reissue]

Personnel: Simon Ainley (vocals, guitar); Dave Skinner (vocals, keyboards); Bill MacCormick (vocals); Phil Manzanera (guitar); Andy Mackay (oboe, saxophone); Paul Thompson (drums); Kevin Godley, Lol Creme (percussion, background vocals).
Liner Note Author: Bill MacCormick.
Not, sadly, a round-up of performances played by the 801 supergroup during its first breathless incarnation, but a reminder of the band's second breath, two years later. With Eno the only headline departure from the group that gave us 801 Live, this captures one night on the tour supporting the Remote Control LP, and includes breathlessly brilliant renditions of several of that album's finest moments -- the electrifying title track included. Reminders of frontman Phil Manzanera's past glories aboard Roxy Music arrive in the form of a fabulous "Out of the Blue," while both his Diamond Head solo album and the earlier 801 get look ins of their own, as does the the encore, blending "Miss Shapiro" with "You Really Got Me." And adding Kevin Godley and Lol Creme to the on-stage persona is especially impressive. ~ Dave Thompson