JOHN SYKES – Bad Boy Live!

Sometimes to avoid repeating the past you have to occasionally review the past. Hence we start this review with an appropriate “Dear John” letter circa July of 2000 shortly after the release of Thin Lizzy’s One Night Only release:

Dear John,

I’ve followed you throughout your career from Tygers Of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder and finally your solo career. I’ve bought everything you’ve played on including the intolerable Loveland release. I’ve tolerated four live albums looking for that special live one. I’m still waiting for the one that has you playing your solo in “Thunder And Lightning” with the same ferocity displayed in the studio version of said song. I find myself incapable of suffering through another live release purely on a smoldering faith that the next live one will truly be the “one”. Farewell.

Signed,
A Once Loyal Fan

This follow-up “Dear John” letter is believed to be circa February of 2005 shortly after the release of John Sykes’ Bad Boy Live! release:

Dear John,

I entered an internal conflict with myself once your Bad Boy Live! CD was available. I argued whether or not the purchase should be made just to be disappointed once again. I finally gave in to temptation and I ended up purchasing your new live CD without any great expectations. Remember the previous letter I sent you five years ago regarding a killer live version of “Thunder And Lightning”? Well if you’d be so kind as to ignore that letter. Your new live CD contains powerful renditions of all my favorite Sykes’ tunes including; “Bad Boys”, “We All Fall Down”, “Cold Sweat”, “Crying In The Rain”, “Still Of The Night” and “Is This Love”. You do a very commendable job covering vocals on songs originally made popular by Masters Coverdale and Lynott. Your vocals and guitar, with your signature false harmonics, come through the production clear, crisp and at the front of the mix.

What a great idea using a brilliant live version of “Thunder And Lightning” as the album’s closer. Not only is your solo played with the ferocity we’ve been waiting for, but the track also gives us a double bonus. We get to enjoy you playing and adding your signature to what was originally Scott Gorham’s solo as well as hearing Derek Sherinian play the keyboard solo! The only problem with the entire album is the fade ins and fade outs between tracks which detracts from the overall live concert feel. All in all a splendid job and any John Sykes fan should find this new live release a nice addition to their collection. This is indeed the “one” John Sykes live album to own!

Signed,
A Once Again Loyal Fan

Lineup

John Sykes: Guitars, Vocals and Production
Marco Mendoza: Bass and Background Vocals
Tommy Aldridge: Drums
Derek Sherinian: Keyboards and Background Vocals
Rich Mazzetta: Acoustic Guitar on “Jelly Roll”