One of the bands that really reminds me of discovering 70’s Rock back in my youth via my mate’s brother’s extensive record collection is Molly Hatchet. As a kid I loved just looking at the album covers while the Southern Rock and Boogie played in the background. The album that did it for me was ‘Flirting With Disaster’ and if I have to go further the song ‘Boogie No More’ a song I still never tire of really tipped me over the edge. It just seemed like a song that was really just a huge guitar solo and something like I’d never heard before.
My only disappointment here is that ‘Boogie No More’ fails to find a place on this 2 CD, or 3 LP gatefold vinyl live outing. All the rest of the songs that built this bands wonderful reputation though are present and correct and this album is a real treat from start to finish reminding you just why Hatchet deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as their more illustrious Jacksonville contemporaries.
Starting out with the mighty double-hit of ‘Bounty Hunter’ and ‘Whiskey Man’ should be all fans and newbies need and the patriotic ‘Son of the South’ and ‘American Pride’ tell you where these boys are coming from. There are of course moments of great depth and emotion like ‘Fall of the Peacemakers’ and also of course some wonderful boogie in the shape of ‘Beatin’ The Odds’ and ‘Flirtin’ With Disaster.’ It’s the wonderful rendition of the epic ballad ‘Dreams I’ll Never See’ though that tips this from being just a very good album to a great one.
I’m sure Phil McCormack, who sadly passed this year will be looking down and enjoying the look on people’s faces when they hear this. His swansong was recorded in Pratteln, Switzerland, in Ludwigsburg, Germany, and during Molly Hatchet’s 40th anniversary tour of the United States.
Tracklisting:
CD1
01. Bounty Hunter 3:10
02. Whiskey Man 3:46
03. Why Won’t You Take Me Home 3:19
04. Son Of The South 5:03
05. American Pride 4:18
06. Edge Of Sundown 3:56
07. Fall Of The Peacemakers 5:30
08. Devil’s Canyon 5:45
09. One Man’s Pleasure 3:52
10. The Creeper 5:09
11. In The Darkness Of The Night 4:45
CD2
01. Justice 8:09
02. As Heaven Is Forever 5:00
03. I’m Gonna Live ‘Til I Die 7:52
04. Beatin’ The Odds 3:28
05. Jukin’ City 2:08
06. Dreams I’ll Never See 7:34
07. The Journey 7:34
08. Flirtin’ With Disaster 5:42