Blue Oyster Cult The Great Sun Jester Live '79

[@9daveyboy]

In 1979 I was 14 years old when my older brother got me a ticket for my 2nd concert, BOC on the Mirrors tour. BOC got very little radio airplay back then except for Don't Fear the Reaper, and maybe Godzilla or Cities on Flame. I also had limited access to my bro's record collection, so I picked up Mirrors to get ready for the show. Rock mags gave it crappy reviews and die hard fans snubbed it, but it changed my life. Night after night huddled in front of the family stereo with my Radio Shack headphones plugged in, and BOC pumping into my brain. Ok so not every track was a winner, but The Vigil, The Great Sun Jester, In Thee, I am the Storm? They had a lasting effect on me. I hear them today and they take me back to that magical time. 40 years ago!

[@jamesshaffer206]

I also was 14 in 1979 and the very same goes for me. Except I'd throw moon crazy in there too. It's a jam. The vigil and I am the storm are very good tunes.

[@jamesalfano5740]

Every BOC album has a different flavor. I was a senior in highschool when mirrors came out, brings back memories of that time U think its a great album. Saw that tour & the Spectre's tour when they were bombarding the audience with lasers before OSHA shut them down- occupational hazard, another mans treasure. Rock on!

[@ronson232]

The "Mirrors" album is a very controversial one among BOC devotees, and I come down square in the middle of it; a wildly uneven album. However, I always thought of this song as a true BOC highlight; it is one of the most gorgeous things they ever came up with. I had never heard it done live before; they do a fine job with it.

[@robdotzler2333]

+Seederman I've never had a problem with Mirrors with one small exception. I always thought the lyrics for I Am the Storm were completely out of tune (pun intended) with the music. That song should have been pure metal, ala, See You In Black from Heaven Forbid.

[@noelmajers6369]

British SciFi writer Michael Moorcock gets a songwriting credit for this one. Eric Bloom is a big fan and wrote him a fan letter. They collaborated on three songs eventually. You can tell they put a lot of effort into this one - superb and deserves to be more widely played.

[@jonathanmayes1603]

@@noelmajers6369To me, it's one of my all time favorite songs from them. I never grow tired of hearing this

[@unchattytwit]

Mirrors - my favourite BOC album not only because of the variety but because the various songs are all special in their own way. It did seem average when I first heard it but then after spin after spin you learn to love it, beginning to end. It really captured 1979. No other BOC album is as various yet consistently magical and poignant in the same way (Spectres and Fire come second and third for me).

[@blackjack2933]

BOC is like two bands in one. The Mirrors album is one of my favorites from when I bought it in the early 80s while in the Navy Seabees in Gulfport Mississippi. Many joints were smoked enjoying this album which seems very different from the Don't Fear The Reaper and Godzilla songs. The best of both worlds. I'm 60 now and still love jamming to the old tunes . Thanks to you tube for all of my songs I put on my watch later list it's full of my favorites not a radio stations favorites.

[@carrienurse]

Such an excellent post. I've never heard this release of Jester in the 35+ years I've followed the Cult. So nice to hear Eric in his 70s greatness. Oh to have the video for this... Thanks.

[@paulmcintyre5444]

I love this song, and it has a deeper meaning for me. Thanks oyster cult

[@godsofohio6734]

It took me a long time (decades!) to appreciate this song. Now I love this song more every time I hear it. The lyrics and music tell a story that could fill a 1000-page book.

[@Spirit-Of-The-Age]

@@godsofohio6734 The song is about the main character in the Michael Moorcock book called 'The Fireclown' . It's co-writen by Michael Moorcock (who, on top of being an amazing writer of many amazing books, is also an on / off member of the band Hawkwind)

[@godsofohio6734]

@@Spirit-Of-The-Age Thanks! I'll put it on my reading list. I love Hawkwind as well.

[@sunjester8254]

They should have released this as a single, along with "I Love The Night". I think it would have made a big difference in their sales.

[@douglemay7989]

I Love the Night was released as a single.

[@sunjester8254]

@@douglemay7989 Are you sure? I've read multiple articles on BOC and not once did they mention it being released.

[@camillemoran6087]

My favorite BOC song.

[@SkaterDude652]

I believe BOC has at least 40-50 Songs that should be staples on FM rock..its a shame that songs like Sun Jester, Vigil, Goin thru the motions, last days of may, white flags,astronomy, sole survivor,,should I continue....its a shame..at the end of the day, I willl match them head to toe with Led Zep!!!

[@RoeserFan1]

Arthur, I couldn't agree more. Their catalogue is ridiculously deep, but too few know it.

[@stevenwilkinson1265]

Arthur, I have always said 40-50 songs of an incredibly high quality as well ... the list is insane actually. We can only shake our heads at why the general rock loving public have never realised what is hidden behind their Big 3 tracks ... & be grateful that we know :)

[@AKCobra1120]

I was in high school in the late 70s and I won tickets to a BOC concert from a local radio station. I'd never even heard of them but was just psyched to be going to a concert for free. Then came the concert. They still had their laser show back then, and they absolutely blew me away. Been my favorite band ever since. Oh, and I mention that Rush was the opening act? Talk about getting your money's worth!

[@vrex5033]

I was at the 1979 Mirrors tour in Alpine Valley Wisconsin, they played this song there. That was a great concert, full laser light show, started with Dominance and Submission. One of my all time favorite concerts. Years later saw BOC at a local bar, much more intimate setting, but still the same great band.

[@godsofohio6734]

This song is one of humankind's greatest achievements. Thanks for posting it!

[@KStarDid]

I like all BÖC albums, I have them all and also more than 50 bootlegs, and Mirrors with Spectres and Agents of Fortune remain probably my favourite.

[@stretchgilbert]

One of the greatest Rock n Roll Voices Ever! Great,Great Stuff! Thanks For Posting.

[@kc5krp]

BOC music was a big part of my life growing up. Glad you posted this. I had that King Biscuit show taped on cassette, but the tape was of poor quality. To me, this was their best song ever. And they had many great ones.

[@razorfistforce1]

Amazing live version of a true B.O.C. masterpiece. Lyrically based off sci-fi writer Michael Moorcock's character, "The Great Sun Jester" is a perfect example of what makes B.O.C.'s 1979 LP "Mirrors" such a masterpiece. I will never understand why "Mirrors" and "Cultasaurus Erectus" don't get the same level of attention and respect as the first three B.O.C. albums. I just don't get why "Mirrors" isn't treated w/the same level of reverence as "Secret Treaties" for example. They're BOTH masterpieces, simply in different ways.

[@robdotzler2333]

+razorfistforce1 As a kid, bad kid mind you, I used to steal HP Lovecraft and Michael Moorecock books from the Thruway Mall Walden Bookstore, a few years later, I discovered BOC through my older brother and after the '77 show at Rich Stadium, they became my favorite band. What a treat it was to see the connections with Moorecock in their music, songs about the stuff I was reading? Nice!

[@markbyers1651]

Michael Moorcock wrote the lyrics to this song . also black blade and veteran of the psychic wars

[@Jlipnicki]

One of the very best books he wrote outside of the more sci-fi orientated is ' Mother London ' pub. 1988.

[@robdotzler2333]

I haven't read 'Mother London' yet, I've got to head out to pick up my new LP Special today, while I'm out, I'll see if I can find a copy of it. There used to be a book store not far from the music store, I hope they're still there. Thanks for the tip!

[@gileslesmith]

a really fantastic tune starting soft and moving into a absolutely great final with absolutely great guitar work. i love it!

[@johnspokus]

I saw this tour in Baltimore at age 16, my first big arena concert.

[@thesaneparty4079]

You can just tell by how perfectly mixed that is that George Garanios had a hand in it.

[@TheWhite1961]

As the time goes by. I saw them in 1981 at the Golden Summernight Festival in Nürnberg. They were the Co-Headliner, headliner were Foreigner.

[@carrienurse]

Yes, most of us who grew up in the Cult's black & white era didn't know what to think from 1976 on, but we'd all give something up to have Eric's pipes of old back now.

[@cuttlefisch]

Thanks a lot for posting this!! Never heard this beauty before. One of my favourite BOC tracks!!! 5 stars.

[@goodtunes2]

@edslides I love "ON Your Feet..." - maybe my favorite BOC record (w/Some Enchanted and Secret Treaties) but I never understood al the antipathy toward Mirrors - Sun Jester, Vigil, In Thee, Storm - all sound great with the clean production I think.

[@stevenwilkinson1265]

Goodtunes, Mirrors was just a shock to the system in 79, but the passage of time has been good to the songs on that album .....

[@DKH1103]

Great stuff! This was indeed a killer live tune.

[@beefoneeto]

I saw this live version-it rocked-just a great great tune.I don't care who was producing -the songs were always great.I actually dig this better than the record-the harmonies are fuller and the outro is just pure BOC greatness.

[@PaBasser]

Right On. Had the fortunate pleasure to see BOC's 79, Mirrors Tour. My Army Mike Gyde and I seen them at the Rapides Parish Coliseum, in Alexandria, La. Head East opened for them. Nice double bill.

[@Imafly5150]

I’m 24 and I’m a die hard BÖC fan! Fucking the New Age music!!

[@captainbeyondmetal8213]

Can't remember the article but Buck Dharma said it was an ode or a nod also to the great Alan Freed Rock-N-Roll DJ's life. And without a doubt also the Michael Moorcock reference.

[@SPAZZOBOXER]

Outstanding & Oft Overlooked trk. from the 1979 "Mirrors" LP. The Employment of Mainstream Producer Tom Werman may have resulted in an inconsistent Album that alienated many longtime/loyal BOC Fans inclined to Heavier Music & more Arcane Conceptualizations; but gems were still created. This Collaboration from Sci-Fi Author Michael Moorcock, Anomalous Lead Singer Eric Bloom & Longtime Friend/Advertising Jingle Writer Extraordinaire John Trivers proves no one can completely emasculate True Genius.

[@Ullarsskald1989]

@Drizzlerman - Actually, Michael Moorcock wrote the lyrics to commemorate his long time friend Bill Butler, who was a poet, book shop owner and free speech advocate in Britain, who died of a drug overdose..

[@E5150DIO]

got to see them in 79 what a great show at Cal Expo

[@rmooreg]

The "Mirrors" album is probably their most commercially viable effort, or at least was intended to be so. "Dr.Music", "In Thee", and "Mirrors" were all catchy, slickly produced and easily accessible to mainstream audiences. Sun Jester, "The Vigil" and "I am the Storm" were more geared toward an edgier, harder rocking audience or B.O.C.'s dedicated. "You're Not the One" is classic power pop, one of the best examples it you'll ever hear. As usual the album never got the acclaim or exposure it deserved. That's the story of B.O.C. in a nutshell. The should have been much bigger than they were.

[@PaBasser]

Nice, I seen Ronnie when he played with Edgar Winter and again when Montrose opened for them. Another great double bill. They don't make them like that anymore.

[@chrisgalvin427]

I remember this from a radio concert. King Biscuit Flour Hour? 1981ish?

[@HarlJHogg]

Not that one. That was Poughkeepsie NY FEB 1980... This is from Dallas late '79

[@chrisgalvin427]

HarlJHogg YOu know your stuff! When I was a kid, I had an EP with a live version of Flaming Telepaths. It was a really clean recording from a NY club 1980ish. Do you know anything about that? I can't seem to find anything about it. Thanks!

[@chrisgalvin427]

Chris Galvin www.discogs.com/Blue-%C3%96yster-Cult-Burnin-For-You-Dr-Music-Flaming-Telepaths/release/1500503 Answered my own question

[@HarlJHogg]

The answers are out there. HA!

[@robdotzler2333]

+Chris Galvin Did yours have that cut out for spray painting the name and logo in it too? If so, I had that one as well. All three songs on that were great recordings. My copy disappeared while I served in the Army, sure would love to have that back. The artwork was pretty nice on it. I think it also had Astronomy on the b side with FT. Was the A side Burnin' For You? I can't remember any longer. And I see the link you provided just now, lol. Of course it's Burnin'...

[@cbh440]

I was hoping this live version would be considerably heavier than its studio version. It's not. But it is still a lost gem. And you're right SkaterDude652, should be more BOC on classic rock radio. But for radio stations it's not about the music. It's about cash,and that is unfortunate.

[@georgegeranios2918]

Forgot this one.

[@LesSmith45]

@MatthewMartin23 you all have great comments on this album. I grew up with this album it came out when i was a senior in HS. BOC was huge back then and there was no party that i ever went to that BOC was not played in the background. The Mirrors album gets ripped all the time. Maybe i am bias because it was huge in 79. IMO this is their best album. At the time everyone was going towards a different direction as you stated. They had to or they would have just dropped off the plant.

[@LesSmith45]

@MatthewMartin23 to finish my comment. I think Dr. Music is an outstanding song and is pure rock. Now the Vigil which is just plain bad ass song is as hard as anything they did. Now i know Mirrors and In Thee are pop rock songs and Great Sun Jester is also a ballad. I am the storm is great. I have been partial to Lonely Teardrops another pop rock song. That being said they did a great job of stepping out of the box to keep up with what the public was listening to . Just my dumb ass opinion.

[@aapold]

Albert wanted to come back at first, even did a short stint filling in for them between other drummers for around a week around '85 or so, but they made it clear they didn't want him back.

[@theindiandoctor4520]

I saw this tour too... in the summer of 1979 at UCLA Pauley Pavillion. I am pretty sure Ronnie Montrose opened for them...

[@alanscottnoblitt5681]

Sounds like a bunch of great memories, gents!

[@stevehobbs8130]

I was there and it was Pat Travers who opened and they played two nights

[@chrishutt66yt]

Albert like alot of drummers partied a little too much & wasn't showing up for gigs on time & not performing at his best. He wasn't exactly "fired" They still loved him & just kind of sent him home to get his shit together! And he just didn't come back!

[@spock_elvis]

NO ONE'S GONNA STRIP ME OF MY MANHOOD! UH-UH! NO WAY!!!

[@SkaterDude652]

Mutt lang prouduced hysteria for def leppard...waterman kicked ass on this album!

[@MrSkyblu1]

I'm sorry, but you folks that talk about the first three albums are NUTS! I'm not saying there weren't great songs on there, but there were equally great, if not greater songs on later releases. I like the heaviness of earlier releases, but songs like The Vigil and Vengeance rate up there with Astronomy. Plus, I think that the overall consistency of later albums was better than the first 3, especially Tyranny and Treaties. For every Flaming Telepaths, there was a Career of Evil. Decent songs, but not great. Even songs like Moon Crazy, while not being up to snuff, were still composed better than some of those earlier songs.

[@dr.bombay7031]

Wrong.

[@amphiskioj4512]

Spectres - Mirrors - Cultösaurus......this is the real holy trilogy in their discog

[@sunjester8254]

Don't say someone is wrong because you're myopic and clueless. I'd rather have The Great Sun Jester than something like Teen Archer.

[@grahamtaylor8912]

I think the first three "black and white" albums are great, but the stuff off Agents of Fortune, Spectres, Fire of Unknown Origin and Cultosaurus Erectus (and Mirrors to some extent) is on another level entirely...

[@sunjester8254]

I think Cultosaurus is a bit of a letdown in some ways. While there are great songs on there, there's also The Marshall Plan, which is almost self parody. Plus, the poor production is a lot like Tyranny and Treaties, where it brings the quality down of the great songs.

[@HarlJHogg]

Not the KBFH version. That version was in 1980.

[@HarlJHogg]

@carrienurse The pipes are not what they used to be but better than the were a few years back. To me, his pipes were never better than on this live version.

[@markneuenschwander5717]

Anybody find any live video from Fire of Unknown Origin tour?

[@stevenwilkinson1265]

Florida in October 1981 is on here but not the main touring with Albert in June & July 1981 .. so far.

[@rimmyou69]

why did they get rid of the original drummer?? He was awesome.

[@stevenwilkinson1265]

Got sacked due to unreliability in the UK in August 81 (according to the main BOC book). A tragedy because Albert and Buck were the two leading writers (though Eric, Joe and Allen could also bring the goods).

[@bestofmybest]

Thanks mom and dad for the name Moorcock i think i knew his sister lol

[@cuttlefisch]

Something about him taking a girl on tour with him who was'nt his wife, and not turning up on time for concerts and rehearsals.

[@stevenwilkinson1265]

Yes driving around the UK in a rented car with a young lady in England in August 1981 .. missed the first song of a Soft White Underbelly gig early in the week & then missed a full concert on 20th August 1981 & got voted out of the band 2 days before a massive 60,000 concert at Donnington Park (which went badly) ... apparently he then went out into the car park to trash the car (that he said had been unreliable, hence the time keeping issues) .. there were problems prior to this though & Joe had tried to keep him in the band before finally voting him out.

[@stashyjon]

I think its just personal opinion, but in my mind Mirrors is a patchy album, and is my least fave BOC release. (and BOC are my fave band)

[@gileslesmith]

a really fantastic tune starting soft and moving into an absolutely great final with absolutely great guitar work. i love it!