Clash of the Titans! Mike and Harrison disagree sharply on one song on Maiden England ’88 and you’ll see it happen in this live episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden from Friday night.
In this celebratory episode, we dissect this double CD song by song, including all the encores. We discuss, and show off, different releases. We talk about the mix, the video, the cover art, and all the usual details. We also allow Slash from Guns N’ Roses a minute of showtime to talk about touring with Iron Maiden. His answer angered some Maiden fans on YouTube.
The lively comments section allowed us some back and forth, and a looseness that we don’t get with the pre-recorded episodes. For that reason and more, this was a very fun episode! Check it out if you missed it.
See you in two weeks, for No Prayer for the Dying with Reed Little.
Past episodes:
Handy YouTube Playlist:
SHOW NOTES:
Recorded 27–28 November 1988 Live at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
Released 8 November 1989 (VHS) 1994 (CD/VHS)
Length 95:00 (video, approx.) 74:27 (audio) 100:30 (2 CD reissue)
Label PMI / EMI
Director Steve Harris
Producer Martin Birch
1. “Moonchild”
Recorded intro is from album. New track up for #1 and a great opener it is. Bruce’s voice is absolutely stunning here, as he goes slightly off album format and lets it rip without rasp. Baby crying represents birth of the seventh son and is new audio.
2. “The Evil That Men Do”
New track up for #2 and Bruce still powering through, and not an easy song to power through.
3. “The Prisoner”
Back to Beast for #3, and the audience is all there for it, punctuating the riff with “YEAHS”! Adrian sounds great on backing vocals – integral to the live version.
4. “Still Life” (single B-side)
Finally a live version of Still Life! It is everything you want it to be, if you are a Piece of Mind fan. Heavy parts are faster and heavier, Bruce’s vocals are more off the hook. He messes up the second last line: “Coming all the time, now we rest in peace!” Should be “Always after me”.
5. “Die with Your Boots On”
Solid workmanlike version. Bruce has a little more fun with varying the vocal line than on Live After Death.
6. “Infinite Dreams” (single A-side)
Wisely alternating new and old material.
7. “Killers” (single B-side)
“Gimme some bad dreams, this one!” One of the best live versions of Killers on CD. Absolutely vicious and perfect for following Infinite Dreams.
8. “Can I Play with Madness” (VHS only)
Backing vocals are flatter live (Steve?) but this is the first live version released of this now-classic single. Bruce throws in lots of extra “yeah yeah yeah-hah” lines. Set tends to focus on newer songs for the next batch.
9. “Heaven Can Wait”
A song for those who might be worried about their ultimate disposition up there or down below! Top notch live version of this now-overplayed song. It was fresher back then. Faster; drags less especially in the woah oh oh section. (I also like “That’s it – end of the song!” at the end.)
10. “Wasted Years”
And finally a live version of Wasted Years! First real time Bruce struggles with the song, but it still sounds brilliant. It’s a challenging song of course. Minor differences in Adrian’s solo too.
1. “The Clairvoyant”
This single sounds great live; tad faster. This is not the live version from the previous single A-side.
2. “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son”
Without any introduction, we go forth into the concert epic. Replacing Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the song proves its mettle in filling that role. Perhaps superior to the album more? More drive, Bruce more off the chain?
3. “The Number of the Beast”
Back to the classics not much to say here.
4. “Hallowed Be Thy Name” (VHS only)
Vocally awesome – Bruce holds that one note nice and long. Equal to the Live After Death version? Vocally Bruce is weaker, but singing it more “straight” without weird accents. Davey’s solo – bonkers! Adrian’s – composed intensity! Pick scrapes galore!
5. “Iron Maiden”
“Yeah let it rip!” Oldies to the end, with plenty of Di’Anno era rock. This operatic version of Iron Maiden is fast and fun.
6. “Run to the Hills” (2013 CD)
Abrupt sonic shift; you can hear that these are the “bonus tracks”. The obligatory Run to the Hills is here and there’s not much more to say.
7. “Running Free” (2013 CD)
Great version here. Pay special attention to Nicko’s drum fills, which are animated and plentiful. Bruce says this is the biggest indoor crowd they have played to in England. Bruce does tell them that they are recording a video. No big long “I’m Running Free, yeah!” section – just a couple times.
8. “Sanctuary” (2013 CD)
A smashing closer! Steve’s bass is perfect in the – prominent enough to hear his upper neck melodies but not dominant. Bruce does a short “Yeaaaaah” thing, but not as annoying as before. Lets the crowd do it.
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