10cc Review – 70s legends remake a dazzling series of pop classics | 10 cc

10cc provided some of the most innovative pop music of the 1970s: melodic constructions that combined glam rock, art rock, rock ‘n’ roll, and doo-wop with surreal, Monty Pythonesque lyrics. Life was described as “minestrone”, and death as “cold lasagna, served with parmesan cheese”. Sadly, their golden career took a jolt when Kevin Godley and Lol Cream left in 1976 to become a hugely successful duo, with co-founder Eric Stewart heading for the exit almost two decades later.

Today, all that remains of the original quartet is 79-year-old bassist/vocalist Graham Goldman – a 2.5 cc, if you will. However, with live 70s-era guitarist Rick Finn still in the band and young drummer Ben Stone bringing new energy, the current incarnation makes a great tribute. Singer Ian Hornall proves a match for Stewart’s phenomenal vocals, sharing 10cc’s sense of humour. He notes that 10cc wrote Old Wild Men when “you couldn’t imagine a group of guys touring the world in their sixties and seventies.” Laughs abound, though in this context the song itself is strangely poignant.

This latest outing is ironically titled “And the Last Bloody Greatest Hits Tour,” and it’s surprising to realize how many hits it had: “Art for Art’s Sake,” “Good Morning Judge,” “The Wall Street Shuffle,” and the rest are ’70s radio shows that still emanate from the airwaves in the back of taxis. There are some surprises. 1972’s “Donna,” their first smash, is delivered in the style of a barbershop quartet and Goldman delves into his pre-10cc career on Bus Stop, which he wrote for the Hollies. Hornall admits that his single “Say the Word” was actually designed to sound like classic 10cc music. “I said, ‘I can help you with that,’” Goldman jokes.

The long-departed Godley even makes an appearance again — on video, singing somewhere in Hollywood — before including a stellar home run that includes 1977’s chart-topping cod-reggae hit Dreadlock Holiday and the terrific “I’m Mandy Fly Me.” Rubber bullets make people dance in the hallways. For most attendees, hearing 1975’s groundbreaking multi-track mega-hit “I’m Not In Love” performed to perfection will be a bucket list moment.