Saxon re-issued the classic live album The Eagle Has Landed

Saxon re-issued the classic live album The Eagle Has Landed on 19 October 2018. It was originally released in May 1982, The Eagle Has Landed was Saxon’s first live album to be recorded and also the first album to feature long standing drummer, Nigel Glockler. It was recorded on the European leg of their ‘Denim and Leather’ tour during 1981 and was mixed at Manor and Bray Sound Studio. It reached number 5 in the UK charts upon its release. This re-issue edition features bonus live tracks recorded at London’s, Hammersmith Odeon during, sold out Saxon headline concerts from 1981 and 1982 on the CD version. 

I remember buying the original album back in 1982, and wish deep down inside that the band and/or record label had taken the trouble to make a double album of all the classic Saxon songs that were recorded on the ‘Denim and Leather’ tour. Not that this is a bad collection, I just think it could have been so much more.

If you are new to the band this is great way to assemble a collection of the live versions of songs from the holy trinity of Saxon albums, Wheels of Steel, Strong Arm of the Law and Denim and Leather. The original album included great versions classics like Motorcycle Man, Wheels of Steel, Strong Arm of the Law and the fantastic closing crescendo of Machine Gun, with the bonus tracks you now get some of the material that was missed of the original like Bands Played On, Dallas 1pm and Hungry Years. This material has been available on previous releases of the CD and also as part of this re-issues series.  It really does capture Saxon at the height of their powers and brings back some great memories of seeing them around that time. 

The vinyl version contains just the original album material  on coloured swirl and splatter vinyl.

ORIGINAL ALBUM 1982

1. Motorcycle Man
2. 747 Strangers In The Night
3. Princess Of The Night
4. Strong Arm Of The Law
5. Heavy Metal Thunder
6. 20,000 Ft
7. Wheels Of Steel
8. Never Surrender
9. Fire in The Sky
10. Machine Gun

CD BONUS TRACKS :

LIVE AT HAMMERSMITH ODEON 1981-1982

11. And The Bands Played On
12. See The Light Shining
13. Frozen Rainbow
14. Midnight Rider
15. Dallas 1PM
16. Hungry Years

NH