Genre: blues-rock
Rating: 2 stars **
Title:  Goodbye Live At Command
Company: BASF
Catalog: 20 29117-1
Year: 1972
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: German pressing
Available: 1
Catalog ID: 6138
Price: $75.00

Apparently under considerable pressure to fulfill a contractual obligation to BASF Records,
Jim Cregan, Richard McCracken, John Weider, and John Wilson regrouped long enough to complete what was billed as a live in-the-studio set. Recorded in front of a select audience at London's Command Studio, 1973's "Goodbye Live At Command" found the band pulling together a mixture of five tracks; two pulled from each of the earlier studio sets and one new effort - the forgettable John Weider solo instrumental effort 'Big Bill's Banjo Band'. While I'd love to tell you this was a killer retrospective, it wasn't. Uninspired performances which were occasionally drawn out to mind numbing lengths (try to sit through the nearly twenty minute ling 'Horizon No. 2'), made this one a major challenge to get through. Pass ... 

- Cregan's 'Samurai' was a pretty, but anonymous ballad, certainly not helped by the sappy lyrics, or what sounded like extensive post-production work - check out the string arrangement. rating: ** stars
- The one new composition, the John Weider instrumental 'Big Bill's Banjo Band' did in fact featured an old timey banjo solo. This one did absolutely nothing for me. rating: * star
- Clocking in at just under 20 minutes (!!!), 'Horizon No. 2' was basically an extended jam with each of the members getting an opportunity to display their chops in extended solo sections. Did anyone really need to hear an extended John Wilson drum solo? Pity the poor studio audience since they were stuck for the whole performance. rating: ** stars
- 'Ocean Boogie' was another pretty ballad, but was sabotaged by Cregan's uncertain vocal and some sub par backing from the string quartet that provided support. rating: ** stars
- You knew you were in for a long day when 'Harpo's Head No.2' started out with a Wilson drum solo. Call it what you like, but to my ears this was basically 16 + minutes of self-indulgent, occasionally almost discordant artistic whacking off. Given me a Brian Eno album over this any day. rating: * star

Not a particularly impressive way for the band to go out the door, though there may be some folks out there that enjoy this one.

"Stud Goodbye Live At Command" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Samurai (Jim Cregan) - 2:45
2.) Big Bill's Banjo Band (instrumental) (John Weider) - 1:07
3.) Horizon No. 2 (Jim Cregan - Richard McCracken - John Wilson) - 19:45

(side 2)
1.) Ocean Boogie (Jim Cregan) - 3:27
2.) Harpo's Head No.2 (instrumental) (Jim Cregan - Richard McCracken - John Wilson) - 16:52


Cregan's remained active in music over the ensuing years reappearing as a member of Family, followed by stints in Cockney Rebel, Streetwalkers and an extended run leading Rod Stewart's recording and touring band. He also recorded a couple of LPs with Bern Taupin as Farm Dogs, as well as playing on and producing dozens of LPs.

Weider hooked up with singer Keith West in the band Moonrider.

McCracken joined a reunited Spencer Davis Group and also recorded a German release album with Hardin and York ("Hardin and York with Charlie McCracken" German Vertigo catalog number 6360 622).

 

Wilson tried to resurrect Stud with ex-East of Eden bassist Andrew Sneddown and future Thin Lizzy lead guitarist Snowie White, though the project went nowhere, effectively ending Stud's recording and performing career.