Another Fine Mess

by Bruce Eder The group succeeds on its fourth official try at a live album, recorded at Newcastle City Hall on July 2, 1995, 130 performances and 25 years to the day after their group's first performance there. The lineup this time out includes Alan Hull (lead vocals, acoustic guitars), Marty Craggs (lead vocals, saxes, flute, harmonica), Ray Laidlaw (drums), Rod Clements (lead guitar, slide guitar, mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Dave Denholm (guitars, vocals), and Ian Thomson (bass), and they're pretty tight all the way around. This is the only live album by the group to include "Lady Eleanor," "Fog on the Tyne," and "Meet Me on the Corner" and "Run for Home," and it also features other early songs like "All Fall Down" and "Road to Kingdom Come." This is a strong album, and the definite first choice for anyone seeking a live disc or a definitive hits collection by the band that includes "Run for Home." The sound is good, too, and it's overall worth the few extra dollars.