Birth Control - Live 79 (1979)

Birth Control - Live 79 (1979)

Tracklist front / back album covers 

Birth Control – Live ’79 (1979)

Tracklist:

1. Titanic

2. Increase

3. Hoodoo Man

4. Flesh and Blood

5. Lady in Black

6. Backdoor Possibilities

7. Stop Fighting

Review:
Live ’79 captures Birth Control near the end of their 70s era, showcasing a band still delivering intense, energetic performances despite a decade of evolution in style. This live album emphasizes their ability to blend hard-hitting riffs, Hammond organ textures, and melodic sensibilities in a concert setting, giving fans an authentic experience of the band on stage.

The album opens powerfully with “Titanic,” immediately asserting the band’s presence with dynamic riffs and rhythmic precision. “Increase” and “Hoodoo Man” bring classic 70s heavy rock energy, featuring extended organ and guitar interplay that differs from their studio versions. “Flesh and Blood” retains its dark intensity, while “Lady in Black” introduces melodic nuance, highlighting the band’s versatility.

Later tracks like “Backdoor Possibilities” and “Stop Fighting” capture the playful, polished elements of their late 70s output while preserving the raw energy that made Birth Control a must-see live act. Overall, Live ’79 serves as a testament to the band’s stagecraft and musical cohesion, bridging the heavier early years with their more melodic late-70s material.

---

Fun Facts & Trivia:

• Recorded during their European tour in 1979, the album captures a lineup well-rehearsed after years of performing together.

• Unlike studio albums, this live set features extended improvisations and energetic solos, a hallmark of Birth Control’s concerts.

• The album includes a mix of material spanning nearly a decade, offering a retrospective of the band’s evolution.

---

Did You Know?

• “Hoodoo Man” in this live version is longer than the original studio recording, showcasing the band’s improvisational skill.

• Many tracks on Live ’79 feature audience interaction and raw vocal delivery, giving the recording an authentic concert feel.

• Collectors often consider this album a key live document for anyone interested in the evolution of German hard rock in the 70s.

---

Selling / Collector’s Info:

Original 1979 German pressings of Live ’79 are moderately collectible, with mint copies usually priced between €50–€120. Later reissues are widely available, but first pressings remain highly desirable for Krautrock and 70s European hard rock collectors.

Keywords: Birth Control Live 79 review, German hard rock live album 1979, Krautrock live recordings, Birth Control vinyl collector, 70s heavy rock concert albums