This was recorded at Chuck Landis’ Country Club, in Van Nuys, California, a year prior to "Live Sentence", the vinyl release which originally captured Graham Bonnet and Yngwie Malmsteen’s short lived collaboration in a band that went on to include (introduce?) Steve Vai as Malmsteen’s replacement.

The ten inclusions here cover all the “Sentence” material, apart from the 52-second classical workout ‘Coming Bach’ and the concluding Rainbow classic ‘All Night Long’. Bonnet had sung the same during his stint as Ronnie James Dio’s replacement in Blackmore’s outfit. A studio version is included here, paradoxically featuring ex-Dokken/Lynch Mob guitarist George Lynch. Guess that’s to mimic the "Live Sentence" sequencing. ‘General Hospital’ (named for the amazingly popular TV soap opera of the day: Luke & Laura), ‘Suffer Me’ (ballad, punctuated by a few orchestral tinged Yngwie runs), ‘Desert Song’ and ‘Jet To Jet’ (a strong song, probably the only one truly "missing" from the original package) are all weaker offerings, willingly deleted in the days of the Lp format (limited running times and all, "Live Sentence" clocks in at 36:55).

In fact, 70% of the "No Parole From Rock And Roll" debut is performed, the Blackmore-Bonnet penned numbers taking the place of those omitted. Bonnet’s minimal raps with the crowd are left intact (including plug for fledgling MTV).

Last time I listened to any of these songs was more than twenty years ago (always find myself heading to Steeler, for early Malmsteen and "Down To Earth" or his work with Michael Schenker, if in the mood for old Bonnet). Some sound truly dated, like the lame (Jimmy Waldo) keyboard driven ‘Island In The Sun’ single. Waldo and Alkatrazz bassist Gary Shea started in the band New England, with Todd Rundgren. The instrumental ‘Evil Eye’ gives the guitarist time to rip, but overall about as restrained as you’ve ever heard the talented Swede, especially live!

New liner notes are courtesy of BW&BK scribe Martin Popoff.