This two for one cd/dvd collection of J Geils Band's performance in Essen, Germany circa April of '79 is a great slice of R&B boogie rock as only the J. Geils Band could provide with exciting energy and inspired playing. Of the 14 song list, most of the material offered features prominently, songs from their then current release Sanctuary. Opening with "Just Can't Stop Me", the band immediately gets things going and sets the tone with Seth Justman's winding organ lines, Magic Dick's incomparable harmonica playing and lead singer, Peter Wolf's excellent vocal presence. The rhythm section of drummer Stephen Bladd and bassist Danny Klein provides an impenetrable backing and J. Geils, lead guitarist of the group, may not be an overtly flashy or busy player, but provides just the right amount of "less is more" approach in style within the group's dynamic chemistry . "One Last Kiss" is a fine example of Geils' skills and shows off some tasteful licks and soloing during this intense number. "I Could Hurt You" is smooth and cool within its ilk as a great number to be slotted in the beginning of the setlist, while the stately ballad, "Teresa", offers some great electric piano playing and heartfelt vocalizing from Wolf, Justman and drummer Bladd during its sparse, yet distinctive melodic feel.

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The second half of the recording offers tried and true cuts from previous live offerings Blow Your Face Out and Live-Full House in the forms of "Looking For a Love"and "Give It To Me" along with the raved up energy offered in "Whammer Jammer" and "Ain't Nothing but a House Party". These numbers display the strengths of a tightly knit group possessing       excellent interplay with musical chops of a high caliber. The cover of the Supremes' "Where Did Our Love Go" is an absolute delight with the definitive harmonica playing of Magic Dick guiding the "romp and stance" of this classic number and I can't decide if this version or the one from the previous Blow Your Face Out is better or equal, its that good! Closing out this blitzing set are the chestnuts "Pack Fair and Square" and "First I Look at the Purse", which were so brazenly exposed on their first live offering Full House and are of equal measure to those versions some 5 years previously. I absolutely love this collection and it's an essential companion to own among the other live recordings previously mentioned. I praise the folks at Eagle Vision/Universal for resurrecting this piece of history for us fans of the J. Geils Band and it only further drives home the fact of what a great band these guys were in their heyday.

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Rating grade- A+