BLACK SABBATH - "WICKED WORLD" JAM

From a West German CD - Vertigo 1980

Live at Last is a live album by Black Sabbath. Despite its wide distribution, it was released without any permission or knowledge from the band, and is thus considered "unofficial" in some quarters. However, the release was legal (albeit unapproved by the band, as stated) within Europe and ads were carried in the UK music press. In the US it was available only as an import. The album was included when the Sabbath albums were issued on CD in Europe by Castle Communications in 1986 and again in remastered and repackaged form in the label's 1987 Remaster series.

The vinyl version and the first CD issue feature the spoken intro of, 'Will you welcome... BLACK SABBATH!' which, oddly, would be edited from the remaster and "Past Lives". It should also be noted that the remaster was not a remix and there is no apparent audio difference between that and the original issues.

The release was compiled from two March 1973 recordings made for an intended live album but, being unhappy with the results, the band shelved that project indefinitely. However, former manager Patrick Meehan arranged the release in 1980, on the NEMS label.

The band eventually came to acknowledge the recording, and released the whole album as part of the two disc live compilation Past Lives in 2002.

The recording is still noted for its early pre-album version of "Killing Yourself to Live", and the long "Wicked World" medley jam. Live at Last was also significant in that its initial release in 1980 prompted Black Sabbath to finally record their first official live album, 1982's Live Evil with Ronnie James Dio.

All tracks were recorded at the Hardrock in Manchester, England on March 11, 1973 and the Rainbow Theatre in London, England on March 16, 1973: