Rank

The Smiths: Morrisey (vocals); Johnny Marr (guitar); Andy Rourke (bass); Mike Joyce (drums).
Additional personnel: Craig Gannon (guitar).
Recorded live at The National Ballroom, Kilburn, London in October 1986.
Recorded live at the National Ballroom in London during the Smiths' THE QUEEN IS DEAD tour, this set displays the band at its peak. The Smiths split up the following year, but their record company persisted in its attempts at marketing the band in the U.S. RANK is the product of such effort. Fortunately, it is a worthy one. The album was recorded for BBC Radio transmission and has surprisingly less-than-excellent sound quality, but that doesn't take away from the strength of the Smiths' live performance. RANK features all the highlights of the tour, including "The Queen is Dead," "Panic," "Ask," "Bigmouth Strikes Again," and "The Boy With the Thorn in His Side." This record is a fitting document of the Smiths at that period-recommended for those who have heard the band's proper albums and are hungry for live Smiths material to add to their collections.