Tommy Bolin - 1976 [1996] "Live At Northern Lights"

Recorded just two and a half months before Tommy Bolin's untimely drug-related death, the Tommy Bolin Band are heard playing in an intimate setting for an FM broadcast (after spending the summer of 1976 playing huge stadiums with the likes of Steve Miller, Peter Frampton, ZZ Top, and Rush). Surprisingly, the production is a lot more raw than the other live CDs issued through the Tommy Bolin Archives label, which is strange, since it was taped in a recording studio.

The playing is quite ragged, and although it does at times catch fire, the performance is not as inspired as past Tommy Bolin concert releases. Tommy's younger brother Johnny joined the band on drums a few months prior to the Live at Northern Lights taping, and he proves to be quite a solid drummer, especially during the improvisation of the sadly prophetic "Post Toastee," which warns about the dangers of drug burnout. Also of note are the sullen ballad "Wild Dogs," and the saxophone workout "You Told Me That You Loved Me" (which was rarely played live by the band). But like the version found on the From the Archives, Vol. 1 release, "Shake the Devil" is again off-key, which takes away from the powerful Zeppelin stomp of the studio take. Although it has its moments, Live at Northern Lights is not the best Tommy Bolin in-concert release of the bunch.

Tommy Bolin was truly a worldwide gift to rock music and guitar enthusiasts everywhere. There will never be another Tommy Bolin, a guitar genius who continues to enthrall generations of aspiring musicians and music lovers with the many fine recordings and concert performances he had made during his short time on Earth.
Tommy developed all types of rock, jazz, blues, folk, and progressive sounds from his guitar and in his writing with his all of his solo works as well as his hard driven artistry with his membership in bands like Deep Purple, James Gang, Zephyr and Energy.

As Tommy Bolin was really building himself and his new band The Tommy Bolin Band into new and exciting territory, Bolin was able to capture a lot of his live and studio workings into the rare collective known as The Tommy Bolin Archives, and this leads us to the long anticipated first time vinyl release of his amazing 1976 Boston concert Northern Lights.

Remastered impeccably by Joe Reagoso (Jeff Beck, Yes, Deep Purple) for the first time on audiophile vinyl, The Tommy Bolin Band s Northern Lights will truly become one of the most important and historical 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl titles in quite some time.

Noted for his stellar guitar work, pretty much introducing new ways of using technique, distortion and effects to a whole new generation of guitar players, Northern Lights is truly a primer for a ton of rock and blues artists.

Check out his dynamic prowess on hits Teaser , Post Toastee and the hard rockin You Told Me That You Loved Me.

Never forgetting progressive roots, Tommy and the band exell on the Bolin classic Wild Dogs. Plus his rock and reggae classic People People show a glimpse of what this superstar was capable of and the promise that he truly had before his untimely loss in 1976.

Friday Music is no stranger to the music of the legendary Tommy Bolin, with his arsenal of fine recordings already on our label. That is why we are so very proud to announce our first installment in The Tommy Bolin/Friday Music 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl Series with his legendary masterwork Northern Lights"

This CD was a pleasant suprize. Tommy is in good form, and I find it to be a great example of Tommy live.(I think it's better than the 2 Deep Purple recordings, and the live recordings on Vol.1 of From the Archives)It is essential for any Tommy Bolin fan. The band is on point too. I enjoyed every minute of this CD.

Tommy’s live concert recorded for WBCN Radio in September of 1976 at The Northern Lights Recording Studio in Maynard, Massachusetts. This performance is famous for it’s over the top, abandon filled rendition of “Post Toastee.” So now, enjoy the archives enhanced fidelity from this performance that is taken from the radio broadcast master that was given to the Archives by Carter Allan, Music Director of WBCN, and a huge Tommy fan.

Track listing:

1     Teaser     5:55
2     People People     7:55
3     You Told Me That You Loved Me     5:12
4     Wild Dogs     10:17
5     Shake The Devil     4:35
6     Post Toastee     13:30
7     Homeward Strut     10:06

    Recorded At – The Northern Lights Recording Studio

Personnel:

    Guitar, Vocals, Producer [Original Live Recording] – Tommy Bolin
    Bass – Jimmy Haslip
    Drums – Johnny Bolin*   
    Keyboards, Vocals – Mark Stein
    Saxophone, Vocals – Norma Jean Bell