Live at the Ritz NYC (1986)

AMG Review of Live at the Ritz NYC (1986)

John Franck
All Music Guide

Live in NYC was recorded in November of 1986 at the old Ritz (known today as Webster Hall) in downtown Manhattan. This live recording is a faithful reading of Iggy's home-away-from-home-welcome-back-bash (Pop is originally from Michigan but resided in New York City for many years) from the Blah Blah Blah tour. If the disappointment of the Bowie-produced Blah Blah Blah still lingered, the tour showcased Iggy at his usual boisterous best. With the exception of the Instinct tour that would follow, Iggy has always had the knack for putting together faceless, knack live bands with this tour being par for the course. Notwithstanding, this Ritz gig showcases some of Iggy's best compositions including "Some Weird Sin," "China Girl," "Lust for Life," and "Five Foot One." As a bonus cut Live in NYC features Iggy's signature song, "I Wanna Be Your Dog" taken from a 1988 King Biscuit Flower Hour recording of Pop's show at The Channel in Boston. One quick side note: it's a shame that King Biscuit's packaging is so ramshackle. The booklet incorrectly credits Iggy's band to Andy McCoy and company, all of who are featured on the disc's sole bonus track, but not on any of the album's 16 other tracks. Also, the photos in the inner sleeve capture Iggy from the Instinct tour instead of the aforementioned Blah Blah Blah tour.