Blu-ray review: Foghat's 'Slow Ride - Live In Concert'

Foghat's Slow Ride - Live In Concert is available today (Friday, April 5, 2024).

Artist: Foghat

Title: Slow Ride - Live In Concert (Cleopatra Entertainment / MVD Visual)

You might like if you enjoy: Foghat, Savoy Brown, Humble Pie, Canned Heat

Tell me more: The just-released Blu-ray Slow Ride - Live In Concert captures classic English rock quartet Foghat at an essential moment in time; the concert film was recorded and filmed at two dates in Houston, Texas in September 1999 — sadly lead singer and founding member Lonesome Dave Peverett passed away from complications related to kidney cancer in February 2000 at the age of 56 (less than five months after the performances featured on the title were recorded). The energetic concert is a rousing and great snapshot of Foghat; in addition to the talents of Peverett on lead vocals and guitar, lead guitar virtuoso Bryan Bassett, drummer Roger Earl and bassist Tony Stevens are seen locked in and firing on all cylinders. The dream track listing includes an extended take on "Drivin' Wheel," a rousing version of the classic blues cut "Somebody's Been Sleepin' In My Bed," and a dynamic slide guitar-anchored reading of the Peverett original "Stone Blue." Other highlights include an amped up take on Robert Johnson's blues nugget "Sweet Home Chicago," the beautiful blues ballad "Angel of Mercy" and the hard rocking "Fool For The City." The Jack Updyke-directed concert film wraps up with a powerful take on the Willie Dixon classic "I Just Want To Make Love To You" and a marathon version of the band's enduring 1975 hard rock hit "Slow Ride."

In addition there are segments across the film featuring interviews with the band members recorded at the time; at one point Everett notes the name "Foghat" had its genesis as a nonsense word he created during a childhood game of Scrabble he was playing with his brother. 

The title is also available as a CD+DVD release. The track listing for the Blu-ray version, as well as the DVD and audio CD configurations is as follows:

 

TRACK LIST:
1. Drivin' Wheel
2. Somebody's Been Sleepin' In My Bed
3. Stone Blue
4. It Hurts Me Too
5. Rock Your House
6. Sweet Home Chicago
7. Angel Of Mercy
8. Fool For The City
9. I Just Want To Make Love To You
10. Slow Ride

 

Information: Cleopatra-entertainment.com.

On a related note, below is the media release regarding the vinyl release of the historic concert recording:

For Immediate Release

FOGHAT’s Iconic 1999 Live Concert Album Released Today, Coming To A Turntable Near You For The Very First Time!

Los Angeles, CA - Foghat’s faithful fanbase has been buzzing ever since the announcement of the release of the band’s superb 1999 live performance, called Slow Ride - Live In Concert. This incredible live performance is being released today as a CD/DVD set but what many fans have been clamoring for is to see this killer show pressed on vinyl. Well, the gods of classic rock have obliged as Cleopatra Records is proud to announce a gorgeous double LP Orange Marble vinyl package of Slow Ride - Live In Concert in a classy gatefold jacket with informative liner notes and several vintage images that celebrate this band’s epic career. One listen and you’ll agree, Foghat’s fulsome mix of bluesy soulful rock sounds even better with the full dynamic range of well-pressed vinyl.

Longtime Foghat bassist Tony Stevens shares his thoughts on the release of Slow Ride - Live In Concert, saying “This concert album shows the band at its best with Brian Bassett taking over from Rod Price, who left Foghat the year before. For me though, the gold star has to go to Lonesome Dave Peverett. After going through 6 months of chemotherapy, after having a kidney removed, he came back, 50 pounds lighter in his gold suit and Rocked The House! I enjoyed our ‘playing off’ with each other. Loads of smiles and laughter. This video is a tribute to Dave. A rock and roll hero of the 100th degree.” Sadly, Peverett would pass away less than a year after the recording of this concert at the age of 56. But this performance is keeping his memory and the Foghat legacy alive for future generations to discover!

Order the CD/DVD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/foghat-slow-ride-live-in-concert-cd-dvd/
Order the vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/foghat-slow-ride-live-in-concert-double-orange-marble/
Pre-order/pre-save the digital: https://orcd.co/foghat_liveinconcert

Watch a clip from the video: https://youtu.be/0sTEj1pp-Ck

TRACK LIST:
1. Drivin' Wheel
2. Somebody's Been Sleepin' In My Bed
3. Stone Blue
4. It Hurts Me Too
5. Rock Your House
6. Sweet Home Chicago
7. Angel Of Mercy
8. Fool For The City
9. I Just Want To Make Love To You
10. Slow Ride

Robert Kinsler