Wire have announced that they will release a live session album, entitled The Black Session - Paris 10 May 2011, on February 6th.

A recording of a performance in Radio France's Paris studios on the date in question, it features the band performing in front of a small, invited crowd, and features both newer material from their great latest album Red Barked Tree and older classics. It also marks the first of Wire's records to feature Matt Simms on guitar, alongside the trio of Colin Newman, Robert Grey and Graham Lewis.

The album was originally released as a tour-only record, during their recent UK dates, but is now being released worldwide.

Wire have been on punishing live form this year - their gig at London's XOYO a few weeks ago managed to transcend the venue's rather soulless surrounds with characteristic flair. So it's probably fair to expect The Black Session to capture something of that firey energy.