LIVE05 (80th Birthday Edition)

Seminal live album from jazz-rock pioneers Colosseum. Featuring Jon Hiseman, Chris Farlowe, Clem Clempson, Dave Greenslade, Mark Clarke and saxophonist Barbara Thompson. This release marks Jon Hiseman’s 80th Birthday with a 24 page booklet containing tributes from his fellow musicians, friends and family

• Limited edition 2CD deluxe package
• Reissue of Colosseum’s classic album LIVE05 pressed from the original masters
• Fully illustrated 24 page booklet with tributes from Jon Hiseman’s fellow musicians, friends and family
• 14 tracks across 2CDs taken from performances at Stuttgart’s Theaterhaus on 11th June 2005, Music Hall, Worpswede on 23rd April 2005 and the Treibhaus, Innsbruck on 30th June 2005

Jon Hiseman was one of my oldest and dearest friends. Occasionally he pops into my head – still leading the band.

Much missed.

Dave Greenslade, 2024

  This double CD is the first Colosseum work to feature Barbara Thompson after Dick Heckstall-Smith’s death in 2004. Recorded in 2005 and released in 2007 the original album is dedicated to him. LIVE05 is a compilation of performances at Stuttgart’s Theaterhaus, Music Hall, Worpswede and the Treibhaus, Innsbruck with tracks selected by Clem Clempson and Dave Greenslade. It contains songs from both studio albums, Bread & Circuses and Tomorrow’s Blues, however, the title of the album makes a firm connection with their classic 1971 release Colosseum Live. Fans will note that ‘Rope Ladder To The Moon’ and the Jack Bruce/Pete Brown song, the old favourite ‘Theme For An Imaginary Western’ differ greatly from the original live album having evolved over the course of the reunion era. The tracks from the comeback albums – ‘Come Right Back’, ‘No Pleasin’ and ‘Tomorrow’s Blues’ – are all pulled off with aplomb. ‘No Pleasin’’ seems to be tailor-made for the stage and is a real barnstormer. Listening to this album, you get the feeling it’s almost a homecoming. Disc Two kicks off in explosive style with ‘Those About To Die’ while the classic ‘Stormy Monday Blues’ creates an ambience of nostalgia that takes the listener right back to 1971. Famous for his, magnificent drum solos, Jon Hiseman stirs the crowd with his ‘Drum Intro to LA’, launching us into the finale ‘Lost Angeles’ which packs an enormous punch. A 2007 review from Prog Archives was full of praise and enthusiasm: “It is simply thrilling!”