A special Bryan Adams box set is set to be released via BMG on Friday, December 8th. This set is put together from three very special nights in 2022 when Bryan Adams played at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. The set will be made available in CD, vinyl, digital, Blu-ray, also containing a photo book with unique images from the shows. 

Bryan Adams previously performed at The Royal Albert hall in 2012 and some of his most popular live footage comes from this 2012 performance. So it makes perfect sense that these three 2022 shows get their own spot in the limelight. The concert hall in London was opened for business in 1871 and has since then featured so many iconic artists. The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Cream (Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker), Bob Dylan, The Who, Freddie Mercury, and Queen to name a few. Performing here is a hallmark for a great musician. 

The three albums featured in the box set of the performances are Cuts Like a Knife, Into the Fire and Waking Up the Neighbours. So whether your favorite track is Cuts Like a Knife, Straight from the Heart, Hearts on Fire, Victim of Love or (Everything I Do) I Do It for You, you are sure to find it here. The tracks are performed by Keith Scott (guitar), Pat Steward (drums), Sol Walker (bass) and Gary Breit on keyboard. "Cuts Like a Knife" (1983) marked a turning point in Adams' career, establishing him as a successful solo artist with a combination of rock and pop elements. The album has a raw energy and showcases Adams' distinctive raspy vocals. "Into the Fire" (1987) has a more polished sound compared to its predecessor. The album explores a variety of themes, including political and social issues. It retains Adams' signature rock sound but with a more refined production. "Waking Up the Neighbours" (1991) was a commercial success and solidified Bryan Adams' status as an international rock star. The album's ballads, in particular, gained widespread acclaim. The songs on the live performance are mixed and mastered to perfection. When you have top class artists, working with top class sound engineers at a top class venue, well, there is plenty of reason to celebrate. The original songs really get a new life in this venue. The Royal Albert Hall has exceptional acoustics due to its elliptical shape, strategically placed fiberglass diffusers called “mushrooms”, and a balance of reflective and absorptive materials. The venue's adaptable features, including adjustable acoustic elements and a unique audience canopy, contribute to its renowned sound quality. These architectural and design choices, along with periodic renovations, have solidified the hall's reputation as one of the world's premier concert venues.

In today's fast-paced world, where consumption is swift and relentless, some argue it's happening too rapidly. Amid this rush, the act of placing a vinyl record on a turntable and truly immersing oneself in its sound becomes a refreshing anomaly. The surge in vinyl's appeal has led record companies and artists to invest more effort in creating exclusive albums specifically tailored for this medium.

This trend serves as a welcome boost to the music industry, where revenue from streaming services often falls notoriously low. It's not a call for artists to chase every opportunity for profit, but rather a recognition of the value in producing unique vinyl experiences. Bryan Adams' latest three-piece set exemplifies this ethos—a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. Each contributor to the production has excelled, resulting in a high-quality product that transcends the notion of a mere money grab.

Author: Peter Källman

Peter Källman is a writer from Sweden who loves playing in bands, writing reviews and going to live shows!