5 comments about Gloatin' and Showboatin': Live on St. Patrick's Day.

1. I am a big fan of the Tossers. Along with the Mahones and Siobhan they are, in my opinion, one of the best bands to come out in the wake of the Pogues. I've never seen them live and don't expect to get an opportunity so I was really excited to see a live CD/DVD combo at a very reasonble price.
   
   I was dissapointed with the live performance. They are not a band that puts on a great live show or are really exciting to watch on stage. The music and some of the vocals are not up to par, and Tommy (the lead singer) sounded like he was recovering from a cold. He also, admittedly, had consumed a few too many jars before the show.
   
   If you don't know the Tossers music but like Irish punk, I'd suggest you try one of their studio albums, but if you are a fan, then this live set is worth purchasing.



2. This guys and a girl are a pretty tight band, loved their music and when i saw the DVD i loved them more and more, they play very solid is a great show, you can feel their drunkness hehe, so buy this cd and dvd , if you like Flogging Molly, Dropkics and The Pogues , you'll love this one CHEERS!!!!!



3. I like the previous 2 reviewers am a great fan of the Irish / Celtic sound...and if your looking for a group to set in a bar and cry in your Guiness to then this is your band...I was in no way blown away with this album, but the DVD did save it !!! I like the cost for this package and it's worth the money but unlike the other 2 reviews The new Murphy's disc as well as "Float" from Floggin Molly are a better listen (My case in point "Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya" which the Murphy's do alot better.) This is agood I feel like crap pour me another round disc but it leaves me thinkin once again that the Tossers are in the middle of the road with their releases.



4. Mo matter how many albums this band comes out with, you always know what your going to get. Out of all the popular Irish "punk" bands out now (Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys) The Tossers have been around the longest.
   
   Hearing them live is an experience that can only be beat by seeing them live. It's a great drinking St. Paddy's day album for anyone looking for that sort of business.
   
   I give it a 5 only becuase it's exactly what your looking for, your favorite Tossers songs preformed live and full with energy. The extra DVD puts it over the edge as a must own for Irish punk fans, or fans of drinking on St. Paddy's day.



5. This live CD/DVD shows you that The Tossers are one of the best live acts of the moment, hands down. They are no Pogues, but they are the best thing that happened to Celtic rock music since the Pogues, and that's a big achievement! This album is full of fast paced songs about drinking, societal issues, personal matters, etc. There are a couple of slow numbers too, but they are not less great because of that!
   
   What really bothers me though, is that they play three additional tracks that are not listed (Dancing Shoes, Altercations and another). But those three extra songs are not considered like one chapter or one track on the DVD and CD respectively. This means for instance that there's a song of 9 minutes, but that's just because Dancing Shoes is on it too. On the DVD it doesn't bother me, but it's annoying having two songs on the same CD track, especially when you convert it to MP3 to listen on your ipod. Secondly, it's really a shame that they didn't play any song off Purgatory. I love this album. But on the good side of things, they played many songs that were never recorded, most of which are really good. Tony sang a very good acapella song, Press Gang. They also play many old songs, but I miss the female voice on Buckets of Beer. And since this is a 2006 recording, no songs from Agony, of course. But including all their music videos as a bonus was really a great idea. And Becca is AMAZING! She plays fiddle like if it were an extension of her body. Clay Hansen is there and sings a good version of Seven Drunken Nights. There are three bonus live videos included on the DVD, but those are very badly filmed and recorded, they're not worth it.
   
   The Tossers are a band you ought to see live at least once, because you can't feel all the energy they put in their music if you only listen to their albums. They easily blow Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly out of water. It's not to say that those two bands are bad, I like them, but the Tossers are way better musicians and make more engaging music. So if you're a fan, you probably already have this. And if you don't know them, pick this CD up, you won't be sorry!

5 comments about Live at Earls Court.

1. This is a great live CD with 18 full-size songs. A nice blend of Smiths, "You are the quarry", and various other songs.
   
   I am not familiar with the Patti Smith version of the song, but I found Morrissey's re-imagined version to be one of the best tracks on the CD.
   
   This is also a CD that sounds real well when you play it on "RANDOM" on your cd/mp3 player :-)
   
   It may not be perfect, but it's hard to really complain about this live CD! A must for Morrissey/Smiths fans!



2. I really appreciate that morrissey decided to release the live album and live DVD (of two different shows!) from the 2004 tour that supported his fantastic "You Are The Quarry" album. The songs from "Quarry" sound even better live, and it is nice that he is starting to play more of his songs from the Smiths era. If you decide not to buy this full album, you must pick up the single from this concert "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"/"Redondo Beach". "Redondo Beach" is a Patti Smith cover, and to disagree with one of the previous reviews, I enjoy it very much (perhaps because I love to hear Morrissey sing anything, especially if it is outside of his normal routine. Another highlight is the first verse of "Subway Train" by the New York Dolls. The New York Dolls are a Morrissey favorite, and he even wrote a book about them years before he started singing in bands. Here "Subway Train" leads into "Munich Air Disaster 1958, a fantastic b-side from the "Irish Blood, English Heart" single. On the "Who Put The 'M' in Manchester" live DVD he uses it to introduce "Everyday Is Like Sunday," which he did frequently on the 2004 tour. It works well in both cases. Sorry if I focused on the details instead of the whole, but this live disc is great. If you are used to listening to inferior fan-recorded concerts, do yourself a favor, support the best band in the world, and buy this album and the "Manchester" DVD.



3. I actually bought this CD and forgot about it for a bit because I was listening to his studio music. I only caught a few glimpses here and there. Then after a dry spell I looked and saw this CD in my collection and put her in.
   I was pretty amazed at just how well Morrissey's voice sounds on this album. First off if Moz is going to finally add "Smiths" tracks to his tour then a "Smiths" reunion is not necessary.
   
   A great selection of tracks on this album. I do love "Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice" for some reason. Great vocal on "Shoplifters of the world" but a stellar performance on "You Know I Couldn't Last" which I think is the best track on the album. He does throw in the much over played "How Soon Is Now" and "Bigmouth" but he should have at least added "A Rush And a Push" which was electrifying on his "Manchester" DVD. Overall the CD is great and produced well. Morrissey's voice to me sounds better live now (on this cd) than ever before when he just tried to play around with the songs live instead of performing them. If you watch the VHS "Live In Dallas" you'll see what I mean. He has matured and so has the band. I like to hear a good live show that doesn't veer off too much with the original and that isn't sloppy. Defiantly not sloppy here. This disc is a must for any fan.
   
   I wonder how many times he slurs his "R's" on this disc?



4. Morrissey has always been known to be a great showman and he put on a wonderful live show that, at times, has overshadowed his recorded output. Live At Earl's Court is a much more slicker and polished affair than the ragged performance on the last live album, Beethoven Was Deaf. that raw atmosphere is missed here, but this 2005 Moz still reigns supreme with his brand of melodramatic modern rock. choice tracks from You Are The Quarry are spilling over with enthusiasm and The Smiths cuts sound absolutely jaw-dropping. especially "There Is A Light" which beams and shines with a newfound purpose and meaning that still sounds just as potent and passionate as it did when it was first released. Moz sounds much wiser and more mature and his voice has never sounded better. the only bad points for this performance is that Morrissey's witty stage banter has been edited out. which is too bad, because that's always part of the fun of his performances that i've always enjoyed. but the music is on point and strong...so i can't complain too much. oh yes, one more point to mention....this cd is wonderful, but for the full experience, everyone needs to get their hands on the "Who Put The 'M' In Manchester" dvd. that is the real Morrissey live show!



5. A kick in the eye to the sticker division at Morrissey's record company, responsible for the genius label on the cover of this latest Morrissey release explaining Live At Earls Court contains `Rarely Performed Smith's tracks'. Empty fools. Nonetheless, when a live album begins with The Greatest B-Side Of All Time, How Soon Is Now?, as performed by the towering intellect behind its charming lyrics, you know you've hit a rich seam of musical gold. As Stephen Patrick Morrissey's voice warms to the occasion during this live London show recorded at the tail end of 2004, further Smiths hits make up a generous third of this 18 track collection, alongside a similar portion of old solo tunes and songs from his most recent outing, You Are The Quarry. Ol' Mozz might have his audience patter well rehearsed, but the clarity and quality of his vocals during this show is consistently impressive. The chugging guitar riff of newest addition Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice, the lyrical switch of walkman to iPod on Bigmouth Strikes Again and the hint of reggae on the Patti Smith cover Redondo Beach are all of note for Morrissey trainspotters, while less obvious tunes such as Let Me Kiss You, I Like You and You Know I Couldn't Last are similarly solid. Morrissey is at his best on There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, although You Are The Quarry highlight, I Have Forgiven Jesus, comes to a hard hitting end with the lyric `Why did you stick in self-deprecating bones and skin - do you hate me?'. Morrissey really shouldn't sound this great after years in the commercial wilderness, but thank Salford he does. This storming live album ends with an immense take on Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me and Morrissey's departing plea, "Don't forget me". No chance of that Stephen - the world is listening once more.

5 comments about Live '88.

1. This album contains mostly all songs from the first two studio albums. The sounds are remarkably fresh and the sound quality is exceptional. I srongly advise purchasing this collection, especially if you're not a Shawn Colvin fan.
   
   Le Bateleur



2. Great companion to all the of Shawn's later works ... not a diamond in the rough but a wee gem.Live '88



3. The tracks are not interrupted with much applause, chatting or announcements. She sounds just as good as her studio work. Great way to round out a Shawn Colvin collection.



4. I love Shawn Colvin, her sound is fresh, creative and original. Live 88' does not disappoint on any of these counts. However, having listened to Steady on for many years, I thought Live 88' might be the raw version - it is not. This set is polished and very, very similar to the studio recording. If you are a collector or unfamiliar with the Steady On album, Live 88' is well worth having. If you are looking for something new from an old favorite, you will be disappointed.



5. Most of these songs subsequently appeared on Steady On, but that album's production - too lush and sweet - runs counter to the meaning of these gems. Here we see the other side of the spectrum in terms of production - a woman singing great personal songs accompanied by just her own guitar. These are the best songs that Shawn Colvin ever wrote by far. You'd have to go back to Joni Mitchell in the 1960s before you found anything better than this for this genre of popular music.
   
   Her voice is strong and plaintive, her picking on open tuning gives her a distinctive guitar style, and while I would prefer to have heard these songs done in a studio with a production that matched the mood, this is more than good enough. Very few people can go out on stage accompanied by just themselves and energize an audience. Shawn Colvin is one of those rare birds that can.
   
   It's said that everyone has one good book in them. It may be that similarly most songwriters have one good album's worth of material in them. If so, then this is Shawn Colvin's one good album worth of songs. And it's more than good. It's wonderful.

5 comments about Farewell: Live from the Universal Amphitheatre.

1. They were just a joy and delight, and certainly one of the best live acts of the '80s and '90s. I only give this farewell perfomance 4 stars, because I would have given anything for a live version of "Elevator Man." But if you never saw them live, or if you did, and miss them like crazy, don't deprive yourself of this CD (or the DVD). They went out at their fierce, funny, joyful best.



2. I used to go to Boingo every Hollween-- I'd still be going if they were still jamming. I went to the last show at the Meadows (which was the est place to see them)-- and I had the pleasure of being at the very last show at the Universal Amphitheatre-- I remember the last show being alot longer (like 4 hours)-- But hey this CD is great! If your a fan you'll get some goose bumps.



3. Samual noted that this album contains one song, "Water" not available elsewhere. There are actually four songs.
   
   "Water" was actually the easiest song of the four to obtain. It was recorded for an album, but never released. However, bootlegs of the studio recording are pretty common.
   
   "Burn Me Up" and "Piggies" were introduced during the 1994 tour, after the last album was recorded. "Burn Me Up" is pretty much a throw-away- it might have been better if the horn parts had actually been played by the horns instead of on keyboard. The '94 tour had no horns, so I suspect they just didn't have time to learn the new songs for this brief Farewell tour.
   
   "Piggies" is a little better- it proves that Elfman had been listening to a lot of Primus at the time. (Priums themselves were playing a piece of Elfman music from Pee Wee's Big Adventure before their shows the same year, and Elfman mentions this on the PWBA DVD.)
   
   But the big get here is "Clowns Of Death". This song MAY pre-date the 1994 tour, but I'm not aware of any studio versions. (OB sometimes played secret shows under the name "Clowns Of Death") This is one of my favorites of OBs heavier material.
   
   Along with those tracks, the album contains 3 songs which have never been released on CD- "I'm So Bad" and "Ain't This The Life" from their debut EP, and "Helpless", which appeared only on the cassette version of their final album. And, as mentioned, the live version of "Change" is a great improvement, turning the meandering 16 minute mess of the studio version into one of my favorite OB tunes.



4. This isn't just a "best-of" collection or "useless compilation" like the person below me says, it's the final show EVER of the almighty Oingo Boingo, making this more of a historical artifact. If that seems a bit extreme to say it's because I really believe Elfman and company to be musical geniuses who were never really given their due or much respect at all. Why? Just because they were quirky and (God forbid) FUN?! Get this cd and the DVD of the show as well to get the full experience of what these guys were like live. I would give almost anything to have been there for this show, but at least I have this great sounding cd to listen to for all time. Boingo STILL rule!



5. Oingo Boingo had more compilations than any band has a right to and they all suck. Godawful songs like "Wild Sex In The Working Class", "No Spill Blood", "Piggies", "Sweat", "Grey Matter", "Little Girls", "Insects", and "Nasty Habits" ruin this one along with the necessities and marginal filler. This is one group where choosing the highlights should be easy. OK so you have to choose the overused and rather bland "Dead Man's Party", the fun "Wierd Science", and classics "Who Do You Want To Be?" and "Only A Lad". From there you pick "Nothing Bad Ever Happens To Me", "Winning Side", "Gratitude", "Stay", "Just Another Day", "No One Lives Forever", "Help Me", "Only Makes Me Laugh", "On The Outside", "Wake Up, It's 1984", and "Same Man I Was Before". From the new direction you can choose from "Where Do All My Friends Go?", "My Life", "New Generation", and "Home Again" from Boi-Ngo and the first 3 songs and maybe some others from Boingo might be OK to fill out the CD. Easy!!!

5 comments about Concert: The Cure Live.

1. "Concert" captures the magic of The Cure live. It's an excellent set and the boys, as usual, sound great. There are plenty of official live releases by The Cure. This is one of the earliest and once again confirms that they were and continue to be one of the best live bands around today.



2. The liner notes proudly proclaim that no overdubs were used on this recording. Having seen the Cure in concert, I know how powerful they are live, so I have no doubt this statement is true. These songs taken from 4 different shows in May of '84 show off the Cure with a terrific line up that wasn't around for too long (even by Cure standards). M.V.P. Robert Smith is in fine form and his guitar is often massive, sometimes employing an effect that makes it sound like a jet taking off. Drummer Andy Anderson favors heavy-hitting beats and keeps everything very up tempo. Founding member Lol Tolhurst's role on keyboards, questionable as always, seems to be largely relegated to elongated notes, although they are often useful and effective. Multi-instrumentalist Porl Thompson rejoins the fold here, a super-talented guy who would go on to spend many years with the Cure. Abandoning his previous role as a control room wizard, Phil Thornally capably rounds out the quintet on bass.
   
   The breakdown:
   
   "Shake Dog Shake" - Taken from an Oxford, England show. This version substitutes the churning swirl of the dense album cut for a more tightly wound kind of menace. A sick song, but the definitive take remains on THE TOP. Of course, Smith can't duplicate all his trippy vocal overdubs in concert (which, by the way, are brilliantly applied all over THE TOP - see my review, if you so choose). Instead, he stutters and spits them out which compliments the song's deranged air. ****1/2
   
   "Primary" - A lesser Cure song in my view, because it sounds almost like an ordinary pop song and the Cure are capable of much more than that. Still, this is a fun version with "jet-taking-off" guitar flying all over the place. ***1/2
   
   "Charlotte Sometimes" - good version dominated by keyboards and a great bass line. ****
   
   "The Hanging Garden" - killer version - intense beat from Andy gives it a more dangerous edge. Notes are frantically scattered to keep up the pace and a heady climax is reached "as the animals die," then Smith's Japanese guitar weaves back and forth across the auditorium. *****
   
   "Give Me It" - Talk about frantic - this one is off the hook. I might prefer this version to the one on THE TOP. Porl lays down the definitive sax part for the song on this take. *****
   
   "The Walk" - Brilliant live translation of this synth-manufactured oddity, thanks in large measure to Thornalley's skillful interpretation on bass. Longstanding member Simon Gallup would soon refill the bass shoes, though. ****1/2
   
   "One Hundred Years" - a great live song, this is a classic slab of doom n' gloom grilled to perfection with Smith's hovering, harrowing guitar - "thrashing in the water, thrashing in the water . . ." *****
   
   A larger London crowd greets the opening chords of "A Forest" (complete with its lovely intro) with a rabid roar. This is the Cure's signature song. A testament to the power of minimalist rock, it solidly rocks here. While this is a very good version, I saw them on the KISS ME tour and they hit a truly heart-stopping climax (right when Smith got to that last "again!"). *****
   
   "10:15 Saturday Night" - This is a totally wired version, a different beast from the original studio recording and altogether heavier. It rocks hard and fluidly even during the hushed ("drip drip drip") moments. The band sounds like they've blasted through this song hundreds of times, yet it still sounds fresh. *****
   
   "Killing an Arab" - Great version of this cool Japanese/Middle Eastern flavored tune. Not actually racist, it's a tongue in cheek nod to The Stranger, a short novel by Albert Camus. The song is a riot. For the finale, Smith warps his guitar into the fourth dimension, pulls everything through a wormhole, and the CD abruptly ends. *****
   
   Great music, an absolute must for Cure fans!



3. This is the best of the live albums by The Cure. This band has had so many line-up changes and this was one of their most interesting line-ups. Here they sound like a raw post-punk band. Even "The Walk", a normally upbeat song, sounds dark, moody and goth. A great era of The Cure captured live. I only wish there were more tracks on here!



4. This is definitely one of their better live recordings. The sound is crisp and the treatment of each song is simple but careful. One note of interest: in this version of "10:15 Saturday Night," an odd pause in the first line suggests that something might have caught Mr. Smith's attention...I guess you'll just have to purchase it and listen to see what I mean! The only version of Concert - The Cure Live I currently have is one of the 1984 UK 12" vinyl pressings (fixh10). The track listing is the same as the Swedish version advertised on this site, at least in regards to titles and track order. One of the great things about the format/version I have is that the record has phrases in the run-off grooves. Side One says, "PLAY ME LOUD," and Side Two says, "EAT ME TOO." (A lot of earlier Cure and special Smith project vinyl pressings have simialr quirky run-off groove phrases.) All in all, this is a great live recording, and I would recommend any version or format of this album...and there are quite a few of them out there...you just have to look for them. When you get it, PLAY IT LOUD.



5. This is probably my favorite live album by The Cure.Some of the songs on this album are even better live than the studio versions.If you want a good taste of The Cure live this is the best.My favorite on here has alway been "The Forest".It has so much more depth and atmosphere live than the studio version.I actually prefere it to the other.

5 comments about Live: 05-03-03 - State College, Pennsylvania.

1. i remember when pearl jam played state college in 93[?]with the red hot chili peppers. grunge exploded, and pearl jam was leading the way. eddy and the band rocked; it was raw and mad and wonderful.
   
   listening to the three-disc set i realize how times change; there was no war then, and there were few reasons to be raw and mad but pearl jam was just because. and some things do not change. pearl jam is still raw and mad and wonderful.
   
   the tale of the time is captured, along with the big sound pearl jam is known for. the porch, fortunate son, keep on rocking, yellow ledbetter sequence is worth the cost alone.
   
   i recommend 05.03.03 highly.



2. I've listened to many many many Pearl Jam concerts and this one is great. Though I'm not a big fan of Eddie's voice that night (though I am a big fan almost any other night), there are many memorable rarities such as "Release" and "Leaving Here".
   With so many tracks, you're at least getting your money's worth.



3. Ok, so I'm not the world's greatest Pearl Jam fan, but their records do spend a decent amount of time in my CD player. I got this CD because I had never heard them live, and kept hearing that any live recording was more than worth it. This one got strong reviews, had an enormous set list, so seemed like a good deal.
   
   It is a great deal, but man this concert never ends. It starts off great, the sound quality is superb, but how many endless guitar solos do I have to listen to? There's something like 30 songs on this CD, and you REALLY feel it by the end. Every time I listen to it, I just start drifting out in the middle of the second disc. The short acoustic break is kind of not much at all, and the concert fizzles a bit after that, and gets quite repetitive.
   
   I think this is very good overall, but only hardcore PJ fans will have the stamina to give this record their full attention. For the rest of us mortals, it is a good buy, but you'll probably end up listening to it in bits and pieces over a few months. Still a good CD to rock out to, and for the record, PJ do sound amazing live.



4. Magical Nite! I was there! .. I was alive, spell bound, and over my head with the joy!
   I know they are among the very best! But for those 4 hours .. they were number one!
   One evening of my life I cannot top it, ever! Buy this!



5. Starting with their landmark Soldier Field show in 1995, I've been collecting live recordings from Pearl Jam. From that perspective, I've heard most of their songs performed a number of times, and State College does not provide a whole lot of 'definitive' live performances.
   
   That said, this is a study in stamina and dedication, as well as professionalism. The best live band of this generation, playing the last show of the first leg of their tour, and they just don't want to leave. Maybe it's that they've learned to 'pace themselves' properly, maybe it's a renewed love for the music- whatever it is, you get 36 songs over 3 discs, and they plow through each of them with the passion and energy that they deserve. You get some things you don't get on other bootlegs on this one, such as a memorable, supposedly improvised, intro to Rearviewmirror. If you're a casual fan, you get practically all the hits on this one too. The performance of "Black" is particularly mindblowing, with the best Mike McCready solo I've ever heard. "Betterman" is also extended, with the "Save it for Later" tag.
   
   Out of a collection of roughly 20 Pearl Jam bootlegs, this one's easily top 5. A great value for the money.

5 comments about More Miles Than Money: Live 1994-96.

1. This CD was a real surprise. First, I had never heard of the genre that this artist is supposed to represent. I was looking for Latino music when I came across "Por Vida-A tribute to the songs of Alejandro Escovedo" Of course the music was not Latino, the songs were similar to the Americana genre.I mix all styles of music for atmosphere play during friendly gatherings; this music was unlike any styles I had collected. The stories in the songs that belonged to Escovedo was intriguing so I ordered this one because of some of the glowing comments provided in reviews. There will be no disappointment for a want of orignal music with "More miles than money". I am a great lover of blues and folk and the whole unplugged genre. This artist brandishes contrast and emotion in every song he sings using a variety of vocal intonation and melodies. Obviously, Por Vida was recorded by friends to honor Escovedo after his death. Escovedo served his role well, he has left this world a gift of his rich talent.Bravo!



2. A great album. Of course it doesn't capture the pure, raging range of Escovedo's live shows, but it comes close. (And in any event, what one album possibly could? Of the ten best concerts I've ever seen, nine of them were Escovedo, and virtually all of those featured a different instrument line-up, from 7-piece punk ensemble to string quartet.) Besides, the cover of "I Wanna Be Your Dog" is virtually an out of body experience.



3. this album is only a shadow of what alejandro escovedo is like live. his music is moving...he has a gift that enables him to really touch your soul when you here him. overall, a very good album. if you are lucky enough to have him visit your town, please give him a listen...it will be entirely worthwhile.



4. really nice disk from austin-based alt.country rocker alejandro escovedo. actually, the alt.country label may be both overly confining and misleading: escovedo started out as a punk (the nuns) and subsequently moved through a variety of bands including punk-country (rank&file) new romantic (the troobs) revivalist (buick mckane). his bands often feature strings (as in violin and cello). so what we've got is a middle-aged singer-songwriter with a punk background and string players in his band. uh-huh.

   one could argue with some of the song selections (where's "put you down"?) but the covers are interesting (the stones "sway", lou reed's "street hassle" and a violin/cello driven version of the stooges' "i wanna be your dog." yeah, you read that last part right. he turns the string players loose on that one and they make like the second coming of john cale.




5. This is my favorite solo Escovedo record -- it catches his world-weary sound much better than his studio recordings. The live versions of his own songs, particularly _Pissed Off_, and _Broken Bottle_ are riveting, and his choice of covers nothing short of inspired. And, it's great to hear his punk rock roots showing on _I Wanna Be Your Dog_ and _Street Hassle_.

   Put this one on late at night, with a smoke in one hand and a double-scotch in the other. Trust me, you'll feel better.

3 comments about KCRW: Sounds Eclectic Too.

1. This is an amazing collection of live studio music. The variety of songs and artists is wonderful, it will be hard to wear this out with such different styles of music on this cd. This station and KGSR out of Austin, Tx, do some of the best (if not the best) live compilation cd's that I know of. The bare bones version of Coldplay's Yellow is just amazingly soulful....the Dido contribution is a real surprise too, these are just two of the highlights, but the whole thing is so very good...buy, listen, and enjoy.



2. Radio station in-house recordings can be hit or miss. The Mountain and others have some really great productions. I wish I had passed on this one. The selections are poor with no production quality.



3. This album (the second in the "Sounds Eclectic" series) compiles some of the best works from one of the most eclectic radio shows there is: Morning Becomes Eclectic, which airs from Santa Monica's station KCRW (also catch the streamed version of their programs at KCRW.org). It's hard to pick one of the tracks above others: all in all, the album provides an excellent sample of some of today's best acts. However, I do have some personal favorites:
   -The version of "Yellow" performed on piano, by Coldplay's Chris Martin;
   -REM's beautiful rendition of their hit from their latest album, "I've Been High;"
   -A plunge into the work of one of Mexico's (and Latin America's) best rock acts, Julieta Venegas, performing "Casa Abandonada;"
   -"Fever," a track that brings to mind Stillwater's "Fever Dog," an awesome road track;
   -"Jesus on a Greyhound," one of my favorite discoveries from this album, performed by Shelby Lynne; and
   -Norah Jones' "Feeling the Same Way," wrapping up the selection made by the show's DJ, Nic Harcourt.

   Get a copy of this album and you will be able to sample the best of today's musical works.

5 comments about Live at L'Olympia.

1. It may be coincidental that my favourite Jeff Buckley songs were written by others...'Lilac Wine' and 'Hallelujah'. But in the usual banter we have when comparing him to his father, it's Tim trumping the prodigal with his lyric skills, which is by no means an attempt to diminish Jeff's gifts. 'Grace' is unquestionably a more listenable, intimate and coherent album than any of his fathers'. And if you wanted added proof of his virtuosity then this concert, held in July 1995,is a fabulous testament. The warmth of his voice is astonishing. But my prompt to get the album is the incomparable, final track, with my idol, Alim Qasimov, not from the concert at L'Olympia. It's tacked on, fairly seamlessly, from a concert of Sacred Music, held two weeks later, in the small village of Saint Florent Le Vieil in Western France. The latter had heard Jeff and invited him to the event. When he heard Qasimov rehearsing he was so overawed by the master's supreme purity, Buckley endured a period of great doubt before agreeing to join Qasimov for this duet. What a find! Or a find that these two matchless souls could unify, if only briefly.'What Will You Say' is the evidence. A treasure to pursue!



2. Fans have rightly complained about too many posthumous Jeff Buckley releases, but this import-only live album is something special. Buckley considered his Summer 1995 performances at the Paris venue L'Olympia, once the haunt of his idol Edith Piaf, to be among the best of his career. Incredibly, Buckley had a cassette tape of the performance which, except for a little hiss and some slightly unideal miking, sounds quite fine.
   
   The first Buckley live release, MYSTERY WHITE BOY, was a mishmash of American concert dates. Though they show Buckley still in fine vocal form--by the L'Olympia dates his voice had been weakened from excessive smoking--the selections for that album are tame and unexciting. On the L'Olympia recordings, however, he really lets loose. The album starts with an extended version of "Lover, You Should Have Come Over" that improves over even that on GRACE. The electric version of "Dream Brother" complements the album version well, and some added lyrics make its allusion to Jeff's father Tim Buckley all the more poignant. "Eternal Life" is played savagely, easily moving into a cover of MC5's "Kick Out the Jams". And the wild performance of "Grace" here lacks the control of the album, but goodness, he's doing such vocal acrobatics live!
   
   There's also a great rapport between singer and crowd here. A brief break has Buckley playing Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" as if it were a 33 RPM record played at 45. In "Hallelujah", he makes a slight change in the lyrics to "I used to live with Leonard before I knew you." And, as insensitive as it might occasionally seem, Buckley taunts the crowd with mentions of Piaf and the little French he knows. And very touching is the way this crowd adored the singer. Buckley found instant fame abroad while he remained an underground figure in the US. At one moment Buckley has to interrupt his sound to say as if overwhelmed, "You people, you crazy people".
   
   I suppose this album was import-only because MYSTERY WHITE BOY was selling sluggishly in the US and the label thought there was insufficient market for Buckley there. Nonetheless, if you are a fan of the singer, you absolutely must seek this out.



3. I'd like to comment on the heck of a job the audio people did in creating this CD. They pulled the songs off of some old tapes and yet the quality is pretty good. It's awesome to hear Jeff really 'get into' the music on these songs. This CD is quite unique I'd say. Sounds like he really owned Kick Out the Jams on this version.



4. I'm Still waiting for "vancouver" and a few other songs of his to be published on cd, but until the time comes when all of Jeff's material is released, this cd in wonderful. "That's All Ill ask" is a good unrealesed song, and the versions of "dream brother" and "Eternal Life" are great. I'm dissipointed there isent a good quality live version of "Last Goodbye". The one of "Mystery White Boy" is the only bad quality recording on the entire cd.



5. Jeff Buckley's "Live A L'Olympia" is a work of art! You can just feel the happy atmosphere in the concert, and it's like you're actually there. Jeff's Zeppelin parody is hilarious, and every song will have you either laughing or crying!
   I have total respect for Mary Guibert, and for even allowing us to have this capsule of time of Jeff is too nice of her. "Live A L'Olympia" is one of my all-time favourite CD's, and you will love it too!!

5 comments about With Strings: Live at Town Hall.

1. Known for melancholy pop music with equally poetic and tormented lyrics (e.g., "Novocaine for the Soul"), the Eels are an ever-evolving band formed by singer/songwriter/tortured artist Mark Oliver Everett, also known as "a Man Called E," "Mr. E," or simply "E." This is album is an existential experience in mopey rock music for thinkers. In their live performances the Eels are known to include new material, wild re-interpretations of older songs, and usually some well-known covers. Recorded in New York City on June 30, 2005 during the Blinking Lights And Other Revelations' tour, Live at Town Hall includes stripped-down tracks from all of the Eels' previous albums. The songs feature acoustic guitar, organ, and piano-based performances by E backed by Allen Hunter on piano and upright bass, Jeffrey Lyster on guitar, mandolin, pedal steel, musical saw and drums, and the string quartet of violinists Paloma Udovic and Julie Carpenter, violist Heather Lockie and cellist Ana Lenchantin. At times, Everett sounds a little like Tom Waits on a career-spanning setlist including:
   
   1. Blinking Lights (For Me) 2:02
   2. Bride Of Theme From Blinking Lights 1:36
   3. Bus Stop Boxer 3:23
   4. Dirty Girl US 2:53
   5. Trouble With Dreams 3:20
   6. The Only Thing I Care About 2:14
   7. My Beloved Monster 1:52
   8. Pretty Ballerina 2:34
   9. It's A Motherfucker 2:14
   10. Flyswatter 5:02
   11. Novocain For The Soul 3:05
   12. Girl From The North Country 2:48
   13. Railroad Man 2:27
   14. I Like Birds 2:30
   15. If You See Natalie 3:30
   16. Poor Side Of Town 2:43
   17. Spunky 3:03
   18. I'm Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn't Break Your Heart 3:45
   19. Suicide Life 2:39
   20. Losing Streak 2:17
   21. Hey Man (Now You're Really Living) 2:17
   22. Things The Grandchildren Should Know 4:54
   
   G. Merritt



2. I love this album. perhaps I have a bad ear, but I find nothing wrong with the recording or the album.
   If you love the EELS - then this album is for you.
   If you are new to the eels - start with another album.



3. I must admit I am baffled to see such mixed reviews about this CD. Some people who call themselves Eels fans are rating it very poorly, based on poor quality of the recording, which I completely fail to understand. Eels With Strings: Live at Town Hall was my first introduction to Mr. E and since then I have acquired almost all his studio albums. I recommend it to everyone who likes great music. Eels is a man who defies classification but anyone who likes Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Nick Cave or other great musicians who put emphasis on both lyrics and music will find a real treasure here. Then you should move on to other great Eels recordings, starting with Daisies of the Galaxy.



4. I'm not sure what CD these other reviewers are listening to, but the mix of this CD is fine. It's a great live album from Mr. E. We get some of his older stuff, with "The Only Thing I Care About" being one of the highlights. If you are an Eels fan, you will not be disappointed.



5. This is a great live album by one of the most underappreciated bands in America today. I experienced the live show myself and this album is a great representation of what a great show it was. The covers are well selected and the set list is great. There aren't too many essential eels tracks that are missing.
   
   I'm amazed by the people who have reviewed this CD and complained about the sound quality. I am an experienced engineer and producer, and I have no problems with the way this album sounds.
   
   In a time of over-produced, ill-written, tepid records, this, as much is the same with much of the eels work, this record shines.