In 2008, twenty five years after they had split up, Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet went out on tour together as Yazoo once more. During the act’s brief existence they had released just four singles and two albums (Upstairs at Eric’s and You and me both). Quite simply, this is a document of the 28 date tour of Europe and North America.
Because Yazoo finished so soon – and it is clear from the sleevenotes that Moyet particularly felt that there was unfinished business – this is far from being an exercise in nostalgia. On the contrary, it’s a reminder of just how good Yazoo were. Moyet is one of the best female vocalists that Britain has produced in the last thirty years and Clarke has been responsible for some of the most best pop music in that time too (hopefully, unless you’ve been under a rock you will know that he was a founder member of Depeche Mode before Yazoo, and after he and Moyet split, went on to be one half of Erasure).
Sure, ‘Only You’ ‘Situation’ and ‘Nobody’s Diary’ are here, present and correct.So to are excellent album tracks like ‘Goodbye 70s’, ‘Ode to Boy’ and the haunting ‘In My Room.’ Though the notes don’t specify where the album was recorded, the album produces a euphoric rush, and you have a sense of a band an audience hugely enjoying themselves.
Many live albums are poorly recorded, shameless cash-ins that strip most who come into contact with them of their dignity. 2010 has seen two very different acts – the other is Mogwai – show how it should be done.
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