For those not in the know, Wax was a 1980's musical duo formed in Manchester, England, consisting of American singer-songwriter Andrew Gold and 10CC guitarist/bassist Graham Gouldman.

In the US, they were listed as Wax UK with the band best known for the hit singles 'Right Between the Eyes' and 'Bridge to Your Heart.'

Both Gold and Gouldman had enjoyed successful careers before coming together. Andrew Gold had recorded four acclaimed albums for Asylum Records and had enjoyed hits with such classic songs as ‘Lonely Boy’, ‘Never Let Her Slip Away’, ‘Thank You For Being a Friend’ and ‘Kiss This One Goodbye’.

Graham Gouldman had been a successful songwriter in the 1960s and was a member of the aforementioned band 10CC from their formation in the early 1970s, being a co-writer of many of their hit singles and acclaimed albums.

Wax issued their debut album, Magnetic Heaven, in 1986 and followed this in 1987 with the album American English (which spawned the previously mentioned hit single ‘Bridge to Your Heart’).

In November of 1987 Wax undertook a UK tour with a line-up featuring Andrew Gold, Graham Gouldman and Rick Fenn (lead guitar, vocals), Roger Jackson (keyboards) and Mike Richardson (drums).

A concert in Harrogate on November 27th was captured both on audio and video tape, but has languished in the vaults until now.

The set performed that evening featured Wax material, including the hit ‘Bridge to Your Heart’, alongside classics such as ‘Never Let Her Slip Away’, ‘Thank You for Being a Friend’ and ‘Lonely Boy’ by Andrew Gold and Graham Gouldman’s ‘Bus Stop’ and ‘For Your Love’ and the 10CC track ‘Dreadlock Holiday’.

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a new 3 Disc digipack edition (of two CDs and an NTSC – Region Free DVD) of this previously-unreleased concert by Wax.

The set also includes an illustrated booklet with a new essay featuring an exclusive interview with Graham Gouldman.

CD 1:
1. 'Magnetic Heaven'
2. 'Right Between The Eyes'
3. 'Shadows Of Love'
4. 'In Some Other World'
5. 'Ready Or Not'
6. 'Ball And Chain'
7. 'Never Let Her Slip Away'
8. 'Thank You For Being A Friend'
9. 'Heaven In Her Bed'

After a brief, and admittedly repetitive synth introduction, the backing band take the stage and 30 seconds later so too both Gold and Gouldman.

Opening with the title track from their debut 1986 album, the instrumental 'Magnetic Heaven,' they then launch into the brilliant pop rock of 'Right Between The Eyes.' A joy to listen to today as much as it was for me back then, up next is the drum-led guitar rock of 'Shadows Of Love' which is in turn followed by two cuts from their sophomore album American English; the delicate synth-pop of 'In Some Other World' and the lush ballad 'Ready Or Not.'

Their very first single as Wax, the frenetic 'Ball And Chain' is up next and is backed by Andrew Gold's brilliantly lushly airy 'Never Let Her Slip Away' and then his finger-snappin' classic 'Thank You For Being A Friend.'

This first disc then rounds out with the longest track from their second album, the mid-tempo pop slush of 'Heaven In Her Bed.'

CD 2:
1. 'Bug In The Machine'
2. 'Bus Stop'
3. 'For Your Love'
4. 'Hear No Evil'
5. 'Alright Tonight'
6. 'The Promise'
7. 'Lonely Boy'
8. 'Dreadlock Holiday'
9. 'Bridge To Your Heart'
10. 'American English'
11. 'Slow Down'

Kicking off the second CD with the sophomore album track 'Bug In The Machine,' that leads seamlessly into a note-for-note cover of the Hollies' 'Bus Stop,' which is followed by an equally precise cover of the Yardbirds' 'For Your Love.'

Album track 'Hear No Evil' is a pop hipsway of a tune and keeping to the theme of bouncing between their two albums, so too (albeit a wee bit lesser) is 'Alright Tonight.'

'The Promise's beautiful free flowing synth lingers on that second album once more (even though some of the lyrics are admittedly forgotten by Gold), before he wishes everyone a "Merry Christmas" and then both Gold and Gouldman introduce the band.

Next up is one of the highlights of this show as we get Gold's brilliantly upbeat and always harmonious 'Lonely Boy' which is backed perfectly by the downtown reggae of 10CC's 'Dreadlock Holiday.'

The second disc then rounds out with the hit single pairing of the upbeat and poptastic 'Bridge To Your Heart' and the heavy synth of 'American English,' before finishing things off with the jangly rock 'n' roll of 'Slow Down.'

DVD:
1. 'In Some Other World'
2. 'Hear No Evil'
3. 'Alright Tonight'
4. 'Dreadlock Holiday'
5. 'American English'
6. 'Bridge To Your Heart'

Everything about this recording is crisp, clear and fully vocally animated from start to finish. Thanking everyone for having shown up and asking them to drive safely, Wax aka Gold and Gouldman were musical dynamite throughout and it amazes me that this recording was forgotten about for so long.

Most every song still today compels me to sing-along and tap my feet to its catchy chorus and groovy beats. Much like you will also find yourself doing with this incredible 20 track live show - once you've run out and spent your hard earned money on it, of course!