The UK seems to have an affinity with HOUSE OF LORDS. I knew one person who, back on release of their self titled debut bought that album despite having ignored just about every rock release since 1976! They've also just been announced as headline act for this years Z-Rock Festival, so it seems the affair continues.

Never able to break out of second division status, despite boasting vocalist James Christian, keyboard hot-shot Gregg Giuffria and KISS' Gene Simmons as an initial guiding force/sponsor the band have only been able to muster a further four studio albums since that 1988 debut, and although Giuffria has moved on, Christian remains to lead the band through this first live release.

A souvenir of the entire set from their November 2005 appearance at the Nottingham "Firefest" its a pretty strong live album that serves its purpose but does lead you to doubt whether it will open any new doors. No less than 5 tracks are taken from that self-titled, each drawing a huge response, with three from its follow up "Sahara" including the title track as an opener and "Talkin' About Love" from '92's "Demons Down". An interesting three song mini-set drawn from 2004's comeback album "The Power And The Myth" is a good showcase for a release I'd missed, and a bonus studio track inclusion of "Havana" adds a bit of value to long time fans who couldn't afford the Japanese version of that same album.

Big sounding melodic rock along the lines of the Americanized WHITESNAKE, GIANT and heavier JOURNEY - its all delivered particularly well and has encouraged me to dig out the early albums for the first time in years... which probably means it's done exactly what it should do. That and got another tenner out of those who will always turn up to see them live.

- Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE: www.jameschristianmusic.com

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