And as for AEWBF, the whole Tollwood broadcast was just stonking. The versions of 'Hard Rain', 'Crazy Love','Chain Reaction' and 'Move On Up' just have to see the light of day. Not to mention the jazzed up versions of 'NYC' and 'Casanova' and Bryan's Satchmoesque take on 'Reason Or Rhyme' and 'Back To Black'.

The above quote came from a different forum thread (probably the Glastonbury one, which veered some distance off topic! ) and prompted me to have a belated listen to the German broadcast.

While I'll sign up to the "all Ferry is good Ferry" line of thinking (yes, even Is Your Love Strong Enough...), I'm surprised at the hyperbole generated by this particular broadcast, which is a bit of a strange beast in places...

To these ears the BFO seemed quite tentative during the first half of the broadcast, compared with later in the tour; this is perhaps to be expected, as it was one of its earliest gigs.

The second, rockier half of the gig was very good, though; nice to hear rare outings for Crazy Love, Chain Reaction & Move On Up.

Then there's the radio presenter's intrusions, the first of which appears after only two BFO numbers (so barely 5 mins after his initial lengthy introduction!). Then after the closing numbers of the gig we get more unrelated chat (e.g. the story of the near plane crash en route to Kenya gets trotted out again for some reason...) followed by what is presented as some vintage Roxy from Glasgow Apollo in 1973.

In fact what he played was side B of the Viva! LP, which, all J.O'B followers will know, was recorded at Newcastle City Hall in 1974 (see the relevant VRM album page); would be nice if broadcasters researched their facts properly...

Then, after all that, the broadcast closes with two more BFO songs from the opening part of the Tollwood gig! Very strange choice... Surely they must realise that all us collectors are a bit obsessive compulsive and at risk of going into spasm when gigs are chopped up and pieced together like a Picasso jigsaw?!

I guess it would be possible, if anyone wanted, to painstakingly edit out the broadcaster and move those BFO songs back to their rightful place in the setlist... For the record, the only tracks from the gig which weren't broadcast were the opening pair of BFO numbers (Do The Strand & Don't Stop The Dance) plus Love Is The Drug (BF with the BFO).

Cher Monsieur Smudge,
Perish the thought that some elegant Ferryista would actually do such a thing!
Professionally executed, they would be the proud owner of a collectable that suffers from none of the deficiencies that you identify in your missive.
In fact, they would have one of the greatest live recordings and a memento of a career high that received five stars every where it played.
Yes, the tour did get even stronger as it moved along (always avoid the first night) and was of the richter scale by the time it reached the UK.
The set list had evolved on the way but for Jazz aficionados and BFO lovers, the Tollwood set gives you the Satchmoesque versions of 'Reason Or Rhyme', 'The Only Face' and 'Back To Black' together with a belter of a version of 'Move On Up'. Four reasons Windswept loves this fandango.
Of course he prefers the RAH and Brighton fandangos because he was there in person and yes, the set lists and performance had got even stronger but, were they recorded?
a bien tôt,
Windswept

Dear Smudge and Windswept,

I've done exactly that, you have a PM. Anybody else, please PM me if you need the recording.

Many thanks, LD!

As for the overall merits of the gig, I think we'll just have to agree to differ, WS2!

You're most welcome!