BOC - Misunderstood

[Matt Thompson]

 >I remember a time when BOC had pyrotechnics, a huge
>Zilla behind the stage.....a time when they seemed more passionate than
>wealthy....and a time when, musically speaking, they kicked my ass and I
>liked it.  This is based on seeing them outdoors in 1982 and again, in a
>club, around 1990.  The contrast was striking....and disturbing.

Frankly, to me they seemed more wealthy than passionate from ''79-'83
(and neither for the next 3 years).  Pyrotechnics do not equate to
passion for the music.  They're set lists were as stagnant as they are
now - a lot of it due to the coordination necessary for the effects.  The
reason the sets don't change much now is because of the new members.  The
band was a lot more spontaneous in terms of song selection in the late
80s with Ron Riddle and Jon Rogers because they had been playing longer
together (with BOC and the Red and the Black).  I remember seeing them on
consecutive nights both in 88 and 89 and seeing very different sets.
 Sure the big 3 plus Cities and ETI were in both sets each time, but each
night they pulled out a different set of gems - once in the middle of the
set and once at the end.  Black Blade, Golden Age of Leather, Unknown
Tongue, Career of Evil, ...they had a lot more in their arsenal at that
time.  If you notice, they have been slowly adding songs to their
repetoire with the new lineup and if they can keep it together they will
continue to do so.  When I listen to the boots, I find the 88-95 in
general better perfomances than the 79-86 stuff.

Matt Thompson
thompsom at osoft_nt.buckhead.com