CDReview: King's X, Live in London

King’s X

Live in London
(InsideOut)

God I miss London….England that is.

I was there not too terribly long ago, if you recall. I attended no big concerts, nor did I take in the scenic history of the city. Instead, I enjoyed the few hours I was there eating fish and chips, and visiting my one time summer lover, Elle, out on the Thames riverside.

Since then, after a couple of stops in Colorado and North Dallas, I returned to the job that had abandoned me and ever since then has been doing everything in its power to get me back. Other than a little eye candy, there were a few improvements, but soon I found I had more time on my hands, something I really didn’t care for since I was beckoned to return.

Ah, how some things stay the same…

So, what to do with this extra time on my hands? Boy is that a loaded question! I had just finished my first novel, and as I waited on the editing, I had started writing the sequel to it. Also, I was still catching up on all the TV series I had recorded on my DVR. And last but not least, I had CDs and DVDs that required my reviewing.

Oh, where to begin!  Why not with one special release that is longer overdue…

Though the trio of Doug Pinnick, Jerry Gaskill, and Ty Tabor has been performing together for a milestone of 31 years—24 of those years as King’s X—they have also reached another milestone as well: their first DVD release. Live in London comes as a 2CD set and as a deluxe edition that includes the DVD concert as well. Taped in January of 2009 at The Electric Ballroom, this is the second live release, with 2004’s Live All Over The Place being their first in King’s X history.

No strangers to delivering great music and a stunning performance, the Texas trio only grow better and more graceful in their years. Their combination of progressive melodic metal, soul, and funk and groove still define their sound as it should, along with their British Invasion based vocals and harmonies. Doug’s soulful singing style and the funkalicious thunder of his 12 string bass really stand out along beside Ty Tabor’s prominent precise and scorching fretwork. And let us not forget Jerry Gaskill’s passionate yet calculated drumming and backing vocal work.  When it comes to that kind of sound, King’s X has never been duplicated. The only difference now, is this long overlooked and underrated band are getting the credit they deserve, and the crowd here proves it!

Live in London spans the test of time career of King’s X, from their debut Out of the Silent Planet, to their latest XV. Of course there can’t be a coverage of songs from every release, but this is a good song selection for this set, and it is well received by die hard, appreciative fans.

‘The First Church of Rock n Roll’ is how vocalist/bassist Doug Pinnick referenced this King’s X concert, and service was definitely being held.  The opening track for service, Groove Machine, is the right choice to get put congregants in a rockin’ mood. It is pounding, heavy, and laying down the groove to make your body move.  The funky hardhitters continue with the fan favorites Black Flag and Dogman and the soon to be classic Pray.

Not to be a one trick pony with the heavy, Julie and the classic Summerland, providing a shimmering silky touch to their softer and slower paced melodic side. Adding to the mix is the radio hit,Ty Tabor fronted It’s Love, a Beatlesque melodic rocker. And of course, a King’s X concert would not be the same without the song that put them over the top: Over My Head, which goes past the 12 minute marker on this release.

Not only is there a lot of well made and well performed music on Live in London, but there is a lot of Faith and Love that has made King’s X what they have always been, and now to an even bigger audience. Along with that Love is Respect and Appreciation.

Respect and Appreciation. Something most of us have.

But for some, I guess it’s over their head…