FOREIGNER: "The Best Of Foreigner 4 & More"

Rating: Live
Label: Frontiers 2014
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

The Best of Foreigner 4 & More - it's basically a fancy name for yet another live album. Recorded at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on the two dates of 3rd and 4th of October, 2014. I believe they're mixing songs from both dates so expect some fade outs on this platter. Guitarist Mick Jones, the only remaining member since the heydays and original release of "4", the rest consisting of former Hurricane vocalist Kelly Hansen, Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson (also producer of the album together with Jones), and the 4 of Michaek Bluestein (keys), Tom Gimbel & Bruce Watson (guitars), and Chris Frazier (drums). Phew. There's a total of seven geezers up there on stage.

The title harks back to the utterly classic release of the album "4" in 1981. Easily their overall best release in my opinion. They are performing 7 out of 10 tracks from the album and not in correct order for that matter. That's a minor disappointment actually as I expected the entire she-bang with all of the songs. No biggie though, but it would have been fun to have "Luanne", "I'm Gonna Win" and "Don't Let Go" amongst the rest of the them.

The "more" part are standards such as "Feels Like The First Time", "Cold As Ice", "Hot Blooded", "I Want To Know What Love Is" and "Say You Will". They still insist to perform the latter as the semi unplugged thing and that's a shame as I prefer the original version with its catchy beat. To be honest. I do believe that most Foreigner fans would like to hear the songs in their first and best version. Hansen truly is a great vocalist though and it's the second best thing to having Lou Gramm at his peak. It's a rather vital and good live recording though with several fresh takes at some of the most classic AOR and melodic rock tunes out there. The million dollar question however, are you up for another live album this Christmas? I guess you can't go wrong with this as your very safe gift to the melodic fan though.
facebook page