5 comments about Greatest Hits Live.

1. Most live albums are never as good as a the studio version. That is not true with this cd. Every well known Journey song makes an appearance and several songs surpass their studio version. When I am in the mood for Journey I often chose this album over the 2 disk Essential Journey just because the live album truly has all the greatest hits that I want to hear.



2. If you are one of the millions of fans who became intoxicated with the awesome power of Steve Perry's voice, then hearing him live will be a dream come true. The live versions of hits like "Dont stop believin", and "wheel in the sky" are great symbols of the uniqueness of his voice. Although this album includes some songs that I personally dont think are any good, overall it is a great collection and worth owning by any Journey fan.



3. There's not too many bands that play well live or even change the song from studio version, but Journey does it as good as anyone. I put this CD up there with B.O.C.'s "Extraterestial Live" and UFO's "Strangers in the Night."
   
   FYI - Journey has a new singer, Arnel Pineda from the Philippines. He was discovered on YouTube by Neal Schon. I haven't heard him as my work computer doesn't access it, but I heard he's pretty remarkable. Their also going to release a new CD in spring/summer of '08 and perform at the MGM Grand in Vegas.



4. I just discovered the magic of Steve Perry's voice, lyrics, and style and have become an avid fan. This album showcases that he is a atruly great musician- his voice is as good live as in the studio. I love this aalbum.



5. I don't like all of their work nor everything on this CD but worth having in my collection (only CD I own by them).

No comments about Last Live.

1 comments about Live in Europe.

1. If you ever listen closly to this "live" recording, you can hear the same applause after each song. There are some dead giveaways, such as a distant banging sound followed by feedback and each time you can hear it with the same yelling and applause. Just bad stuff Fantasy!
   
   I've heard that the rehersal tapes (for that very tour of Europe) were used, then some crowd noise was added to the mix. As rehersals go, they aren't bad performances, but the mix is muddy. I've long since sold my copy.
   
   A better live album to buy from this time period is, MADE IN JAPAN by Deep Purple. No overdubs, no fake crowd, just good live music!

1 comments about The 70's Come Alive Again.

1. all of the selections are great, even maggie may and i'm not a rod stewart fan. the extended version of "free bird" on this cassette is not to be believed. it's not the extended "live version" which i have on cd and which cannot compare to the version on this cassette. i wish someone could tell me on what cd of lynryd skynyrd this extended version appears. i imagine the cd of this compilation is worthwhile since it includes the great steppenwolf. to get this much geat music in a cassette at this price is wonderful.

No comments about Peel Sessions.

1 comments about I'M a Human Being.

1. This fifteen track live compilation,had apparently come from two different shows.With one reportedly being a Vancouver '74 shindig.'I'm A...' is one of the BETTER sounding archive live Dolls recordings.Two covers I felt they did rather well were Willie Dixon's "Hoochie Coochie Man" and the Beatle's "Dizzy Miss Lizzie".Of course the Doll's original material here smokes as well,like "Personality Crisis","Babylon","Jet Boy" among others.Good mid-'70's proto punk to thoroughly enjoy here.

5 comments about A Little South of Sanity.

1. i wasn't even an aerosmith fan before having this album. i actually owned it on audio cassette, originally, i'd bought it for 99 cents at a sidewalk sale...but this is top notch rock'n'roll, from start to finish, hard rockin' tunes mixed with gutsy ballads. plus, the unpolished sound adds some attitude to the cd.



2. A nice collection of the biggest Aerosmith tracks that lacks in a few areas. They should have gone back and listened to their own Classics Live releases. Most of the tracks didn't vary much from the studio versions, which would have added an added value to something that is audio-only. In fact, the only track that has any speical work done on it is Eat The Rich with the special intro. Also, it would have been nice if they had been able to use a live version of I Don't Want To Miss A Thing. Really, if you want the live experience, go to the show. It's way better. We even sang Happy Birthday to Joe Perry at the one I went to.



3. I picked up this album at the local FYE not expecting much, and only purchasing this because I am a die hard Aerosmith fan. But when I booted up my computer and burned this disc, I was blown out of my chair. "Eat The Rich" is a stunning opening, with Steven's banshee shreiks, right on down to the shining conclusion "Sweet Emotion", I think album is for any rock fan, not just Aerosmith.



4. I previously owned this CD but it was destroyed, along with all of my other cd's, in Hurricane Katrina. I had most of Aerosmith's music and this is the first one I'm replacing.



5. Man I've had this CD for what now? 8, 9, 10 years? Today I got a really good pair of headphones and had a very subtle itch for live rock... sounds like destiny was setting me up for a surprise.
   I took my ages forgotten "A little south of sanity" and I can say I am still catching my breath...
   Just play "monkey on my back" and listen to the Tyler scream that starts at 0:57" you'll see what I mean.
   This is how God intended rock to be played.
   Now the CD itself or track listing doesn't make this a 5 stars album...
   I'm pretty sure there's better live versions of most of the songs here somewhere else...
   ...but the ENERGY and the chemistry felt in this album... it makes it fly high and above most live CDs I've heard, earning the 5 stars on the process.
   This is a band that started out during the early 70's and listen to them !
   Real rockers are born and will remain real rockers for ever getting better each year, they are not created by record executives trying to sell to a niche. These 5 old rockers from Boston were born for this, and I am grateful for this album !

2 comments about Live in London 1974.

1. This reissue, from Japan, of the Classic 1974 Deep Purple Mark III release is pricey, no doubt, but well worth it for Space Truckin', previously unheard. The interpolation of both "High Ball Shooter" and "Child In Time", though very briefly for both, proves the band keeps in touch with their past. The band rocks, and although purists would contend that the truly "classic" versions are from Machine Head and Made In Japan (with Ian Gillan, Mark II lineup, which they are) the combination of Hughes and Coverdale does a fine job covering the song; along with Blackmore's guitar, Lord's organ, and Paice's drums. It provides a nice "showcase" for all of the band. As well as the other tracks, the inclusion of this previously unheard of (outside of Japan, probably) track is absolute genius. For the "true" Deep Purple fan, no version of "Space Truckin'", or any of the other classic Purple hits, is "too long". It's a flat out, straight ahead, "jam" for the most part. The only, and I mean the only, criticism I have is that the booklet inside the double cd, gatefold, cover and packaging, is that there wasn't an "English" translation of the notes in the booklet. The only parts I could "make out" were the names "Deep Purple"; Elf, Rainbow, and the song titles. Thank God the lyrics were in English. Other than that, it's worth the price. [As a point of reference for newer Deep Purple fans, High Ball Shooter is found in the original on the Stormbringer release and Child In Time, of course, is on In Rock, Made In Japan, and other releases]. Deep Purple will, along with Black Sabbath, and others of the times, forever freakin' rock!. [Got to keep it "polite" you know, or they won't publish it.]



2. I have bought another japanese cd version in 1990 without space trucking on the bonus track. This double cd set is including long 30 minutes track "Space trucking". The other songs remain the same. Mark III line up with Coverdale and Hughes was on the roar at that time. Need I say more?

5 comments about History of the Grateful Dead, Vol. 1 (Bear's Choice).

1. Love Pig-Pen? Love the old-school roadhouse blues influence he brought to the band? This album captures nicely that sound for sure.



2. If you really want to buy this, get the remastered version instead. It has nicer packaging, better sound quality and 30 minutes of bonus material. To find it, search on History of Grateful Dead (it won't show up if look for Bear's Choice).



3. The Bear's Choice Expanded Edition focuses on the Grateful Dead live in concert. Four additional tracks are added to the original seven and the late Ron McKernan(Pig Pen) sings on six of them.

   The opening five acoustic tracks are warm and intimate if not overly spectacular. The Pig Pen sung Katie Mae stands out a bit from the rest. The Smokestack Lightning jams are a bit excessive even though they can be a bit mesmerizing if you merely have them on in the background. However, the highlights of this disc are Pig Pen's stylish singing on Big Boss Man and Hard To Handle. Old Piggie sure knew how to sing the blues.

   Anyway, definitely like Jerry Garcia's interpretation of Sitting On Top Of The World. Again, Good Lovin' is another bonus track on this CD as it was on Europe 72. The jam is somewhat excessive although the drum solo is pretty captivating.

   Again like Europe 72, several good moments and I like the idea of both acoustic and electric sides of the Grateful Dead. However some of the jamming certainly goes off the deep end. My only advise is know how much endless instrumental noodling that you can take.




4. This is a Grateful Dead album that you can't live without. The honest, down to earth feel on this live recording is beyond description. And Pigpen is here too! What more could you ask for? Buy this!



5. This is one of my favorite Grateful Dead Live discs. There's only 7 songs but its 45 minutes plus of Pigpen, Jerry, Weir, Lesh, and Bill the Drummer. This show is from February 13th and 14th 1970, at the Fillmore East. 1970 is a great year for the Dead. (my favorite Dead era lies/lays within 1967-1972). Bear's Choice starts off with a bluesy Pigpen lead, Katie Mae. Katie Mae alone is an awesome blues song. Give Pigpen a guitar and the spotlight, you got one of the best blues performances ever. He starts the song off with a good humored argument from someone in the crowd or on stage....Katie Mae then goes to Dark Hollow. Dark Hollow is an awesome bluesy song with a hint of Country (kinda puts me in mind of Ripple in a Dead way)with Weir on lead vocal...so far, Katie Mae and Dark Hollow are among my favorite Dead songs. The next song is Jerry's turn with: I've Been All Around This World, a great slow ballad with great rythm. A Deadsized Wake Up Little Suzie follows All Around this World, a great jam and a great rocker, yet it's the shortest song on this disc. Track five is a Workingman's Dead hit, Black Peter, yet another slow bluesy jam. At 18:00 minutes long, Pigpen and the Dead jam through Smokestack Lightning. Smokestack's sound kinda resembles CCR's Susie Q, great tune with different jams throughout. The last song is Hard To Handle...sung by Pigpen. Hard To Handle, much like its' name and with Pigpen's vocals is a hard rocker, a great closer for this particular set.

   1. Katie Mae-4:46 2. Dark Hollow-3:30 3. I've Been All Around This World-4:40 4. Wake Up Little Susie-2:40 5. Black Peter-7:20 6. Smokestack Lightning-18:00 7. Hard To Handle-6:14

   Overall, this set does include a reaction from the audience during each jam, however, you can tell that it's not just one big medley jam/set. At the end of certain songs (ie-Katie Mae>Dark Hollow) you can hear the difference in audience reaction levels; just a note for fans of Dead-Sets-With-Audience-Interaction (thats all) but the crowd can be heard... This particular set is one of my faves (along with Dicks Picks 8 and Ladies and Gentlemen...) to play on Wine Nights (which are quite frequent) This album came out the year Pigpen died :(

   The album cover is 'perhaps' the origin of the infamous Beanie Bears that are collected today-for Dancing Beanie Bear collectors-Dark Hollow is one of the newest in the latest series, and it's from this particular show/set.......

5 comments about Live in Europe.

1. I read a couple of the reviews that accuse Fantasy of "faking" the live aspect of this album by dubbing in the audience. I've never noticed that, and I've had this album since 1973, when it was first released on vinyl.
   Granted, the Cd version does short change the listener by leaving off a couple of songs, but that is easily remedied by purchasing the vinyl copy
   if you can find one. The thing I want to say about the album and the tour from which it came is, why couldn't Creedence replace Tom and his rhythm guitar for at leat the duration of the tour? Creedence always had an uncomplicated sound to begin with, and the absence of a second guitar does reveal the simplicity of their sound so why not pull in a player for the tour.
   But, I am speaking of 1971, and not 2006 where it is considered the norm for artists to drag along seven extras to replicate their sound on stage.
   Witness the Eagles and their recent tours, to understand my meaning.
   Perhaps J.F. wanted to keep Creedence simple, and, perhaps, keep more of the profits. Who knows? All I'm saying is CCR would have benefited from an extra guitar on stage after Tom's departure. It could also have afforded John the opportunity to perform some of CCR's more recent keyboard oriented songs. Oh well, it's a good album and probably done "really" live.
   It's a good album and a fine documentary of CCR's final days as a working band.



2. this is a great testament of the energy that CCR had on stage until the very end. Unfortunately, the concert starts out with a rather routine performance of Born on the Bayou, which may dampen listener enthusiasm initially. After that the band starts to really roll, starting with Green River/Suzie Q, peaking with Traveling Band and Fortunate Son, and very enjoyable versions of Lodi, Bad Moon Rising and Proud Mary. I really appreciate that the three players seem to be enjoying the performance. The sound is slightly muddled, which gives the disk a "garage-band sound"...it sounds a little bit like you are listening from just off-stage at the show.
   
   Others have commented that this may include crowd sounds edited in. I don't know about that, but the crowd certaining seems realistic and the performance is no doubt from the tour.
   
   Definately worth 5-10 bucks for the great songs and energetic showmanship.



3. This recording is an example of classic rock at its absolute best. There are many songs I enjoy. Examples include "Playing in a Traveling Band," and "Up Around the Bend." There are other songs that might have fit this collection including "Looking Out My Back Door," "Down on the Corner," and "Who'll Stop the Rain." However, I would still recommend this recording to anyone who likes CCR.



4. Released a year after the disbanding of CCR, this "album" is hardly worth anything other than a historical record of the band's only "live" recordings as a trio. (Tom Fogerty had bailed in early 1971 for a solo "career.")
   
   A blatant attempt to cash in on their now-defunct cash cow, Fantasy kept on repacking the hits in various forms - including this live album from the 1971 European tour. Rumors say that this is actually a rehearsal tape with audience applause dubbed in - and if you listen closely with headphones, it does seem that way. You can almost see the hand on the fader turning up the volume of the "audience" at the end of Bad Moon Rising - and other songs have equally egregious mixing. Not since 1966's "Got Live If You Want It" by The Rolling Stones has there been such a phony live album.
   
   Originally released as a 2-LP set (with Keep On Chooglin' as an entire side!!?!), the CD re-release had lopped off Sweet Hitchhiker (the band's last top-ten hit) and its flip, Door To Door (no great loss, as the in-concert version is no better or worse than its studio counterpart), these two tunes have been restored as part of the six-CD box CCR set.
   
   The music? Without the competent rhythm guitar of departed brother Tom, the sound is obviously thinner than previous tours (listen to "The Concert" for proof) and the song selection had to be geared towards a trio (meaning no Down On The Corner or Lookin' Out My Back Door).
   
   Bottom line - totally unnecessary, unless you're a CCR fanatic. Otherwise, stick with the first six studio albums.



5. If you ever listen closly to this "live" recording, you can hear the same applause after each song. There are some dead giveaways here, such as a distant banging sound, followed by some feedback and each time you can hear it with the same yelling and applause. Just bad stuff Fantasy!
   
   I've heard that the rehersal tapes (for that very tour of Europe) were used, then some crowd noise was added to the mix. As rehersals go, they aren't bad performances, but the mix is muddy.
   
   I've long since sold my copy.
   
   A better live album to buy from this time period is, MADE IN JAPAN by Deep Purple. No overdubs, no fake crowd, just good live music!