This is the fifth and final European Magic Tour release of Crystal Cat's March 2008 batch, and a very strong conclusion to the Euro Leg of an extended Tour along with it being a great audience recording.
After a blistering string of opening tunes of a setlist that mimics the Paris show very closely, Bruce comments after "Gypsy Biker" on the size of the 02 Arena as he thanks the London crowd for coming down to the gig..."...this IS a BIG building...that's ok we're big building killers........also known as dead ass killers for you folks still in your seats...". It is the closing show of the Euro leg and everyone is primed. Funny enough for me, not being much of a fan of the Magic CD, all of these songs really sound great in this London gig. The tune "Magic" really is a rendition with conviction and impact this time around. However, tonight's "Because The Night" trumps the previous evening in Paris as Nils Lofgren establishes early command and the show is just cruising at this juncture. Even though "Reason To Believe" is a rollicking and a likable tune every time, I don't like this treatment on the Magic Tour with Bruce singing through the harmonica mike. Whatever, right?
The variance in the setlist from Paris is that "The River" is replaced by both "Working On The Highway" and the scarce "Racing In The Street" - which is apparently played to a few fans that have been following the band around Europe and have been holding up the same sign "Racing", night after night. A nice nod and acknowledgement and Christmas present for the devoted.
Only one bonus on this one, "Youngstown", snagged from an excellent tape from the November 14, 2007 Pittsburgh show. A bit hurried vocally but of comparible quality and also a contrast in mood to this festive and upbeat holiday performance in London 2007.
The packaging and presentation is right up there with the best of anything Crystal Cat has ever presented, providing an 8-page deluxe glossy booklet with some stellar performance shots of the band - all seemingly taken at the London gig, very nice and are outstanding in every way. There is also a glossy insert with a copy of the actual hand-scrawled setlist on one side and the 2007 tour dates on the other. This standard is replicated throughout these five new titles in the batch. A superb London souvenir and a recommended Magic Tour title to pick up.
