Foreigner – Foreigner 4 Live Tour (Rhino/Atlantic)

Foreigner melts your face 

Despite the band’s huge success, Foreigner never issued a live album during their peak years.  Foreigner 4 Live Tour shows that they were capable of blistering hard rock that was only hinted at on their studio albums.  

The concert begins with “Long, Long Way From Home,” off their debut – but played at a furious intensity and pace – there’s also a frantic sax solo, but there’s no credit on who played it.  Things ramp up for “Dirty White Boy” – this is almost punk in the nasty way the band delivers the song.  Things slow down a notch for the mid tempo, “Blue Morning, Blue Day.”  I really like the way this comes off – more raw, and less polished.  “Luanne” is also faster than the album version.  

Two observations as I listen: Lou Gramm was an absolute monster vocalist.  And, Dennis Elliott needs to calm the hell down.  Some of his drumming is just too wild – it gets in the way of the songs – hitting his kick drum for effect, over and over, when he should be hitting his snare and keeping the beat.    

“Waiting For a Girl Like You” is very good in this live setting – the main melody is played on an electric piano, giving it a more earthy feel, and Gramm is incredibly soulful and restrained, his true gift as a rock vocalist.  “Starrider” gives guitarist Mick Jones a chance to sing.  In 1978 or 1982, it might’ve sounded pioneering.  Now, it’s dated, and kinda silly.

“Urgent” more than redeems things – Jones lays down a nasty guitar riff, and then Gramm just takes off, growling and wailing all the way through.  The sax solo, by Mark Rivera, faithfully captures the insane original, laid down by Junior Walker on the 4 album (we know this, because they thank him after the song).  Many of these songs are played at a much faster pace than their studio counterparts – “Double Vision” is a furious performance.  The excitement rises for the phenomenal “Juke Box Hero,” which gives you a better appreciation for the crazy high notes that Gramm is pulling off here.  

The band ends with their debut single, “Feels Like the First Time,” before encoring with an extended, crowd participating version of “Hot Blooded.”  

The gatefold sleeve is chock full of ticket stubs from the 4 tour, which is a nice touch.  

Foreigner has been one of the premier classic rock bands for decades.  Foreigner 4 Live Tour proves that they were a force to be reckoned with in concert.  —Tony Peters