1 comments about Jumping at Shadows: The Blues Years.

1. This collection should gain Peter Green accolades upon
   accolades!His tasteful use of tone, and dynamics are lessons
   in expression- without histrionics.It's just a truly amazing
   corpus ,by someone who deserves the same esteem that Django,
   and Hendrix command.From early electric , through acoustic
   ( incl. violin/guitar), and rockier things ...a magnum opus!!!

5 comments about Five Live Yardbirds.

1. Ignore commentary that this was "the poorest" version of the Yardbirds; it is only "poor" if you prefer artistic nuances like raga stylings and instruments to great raw live shows. Portions of this material were originally available in the US as just one side of the LP "Having a Rave Up With the Yardbirds," our first taste of how hot the band was in concert. Ultimately "Five Live" arrived at our shores and now we have several versions available to choose from, some with studio cuts mixed in. I like this one for the extra live cuts. As the reviewer below notes, be careful which one you buy so you don't feel left short. Our first real exposure to Eric Clapton's power, so how can you lose?



2. The makers of 'Five Live Yardbirds' must be pro-choice. There are at least 5 or 6 versions of this CD listed on Amazon, and the particular one I possess, which contains only ten tracks from the March 1964 Marquee show, isn't even here. The disc I'm reviewing is a French import, on the 'Decal' label. There is a comparable 10 track Rhino version, 16 track versions by Prism and JVC Japan, an 18 track Repertoire version, 19 track Verese version, and a 20 track Phantom version. Most of these alternates package the Marquee show with a variety of other Yardbird demos, studio releases, and various live tracks. The Marquee show, however, is always at the core as the 'main attraction'.
   
   While some reviewers disparage the quality of the recording, I find it remarkably good considering the year and the locale... the London Marquee club. In contrast to live recordings by The Beatles of the same era, these tapes are clean and crisp. Comparing these recordings to bootlegs is really a disservice. I once owned a fairly extensive bootleg collection, and this recording puts most of them to shame.
   
   The Yardbirds were clearly at the forefront, along with The Rolling Stones, of the emerging rhythm and blues genre in the UK in the early 1960's. It's rather fascinating to listen to the superb quality of Eric Clapton's lead guitar, although if there is to be disparaging of the recording quality, it would have to be the squelching of Eric's leads in favor of Keith Relf's mouth harp. Never again in his career would another instrument render Clapton to second fiddle.
   
   At times the Yardbirds leaned toward pure rock and roll rather than rhythm and blues, as in their opening cover of Chuck Berry's 'Too Much Monkey Business', and at other times submerged themselves in pure blues, as in Ellas McDaniel's 'Pretty Girl'. Three of the last four songs on the disc, in fact, are McDaniel compositions, including one of his best, 'I'm a Man' ("...spelled M... A... N... man....", what a great lyric!), which I would pick as the best song of the evening. As other reviewers have noted, however, this is bare bones RnB from a band working hard to establish themselves (this recording even pre-dates the release of their first single, 'I Wish You Would'). Every song is infused with maximum voltage, and the crowd is clearly a hard-core bunch eating it up. For a band without a hit to their name, they already possessed a rabid following.
   
   While none of the songs on this disc proved to be hits for the Yardbirds, the recording provides a unique, high-caliber snapshot of early British pub-rock. Beyond Clapton, Relf's vocals and mouth harp are exquisite, and Paul Samwell-Smith's bass meanders in delightful ways not often experienced. While the Yardbirds lacked the 'innocence' of the early Beatles, they were above the decadence the Stones excreted even in their genesis, opting for a sound not unlike the early, blues-oriented Animals. Despite Beatlemania, it may have been the most excitingly musical place to be as rock and roll evolved full throttle into the mid-1960's. You can sense the band is on the cusp of something special. We're lucky to have this recording, and you should hear it.



3. Despite being only the start of his long and illustrious career, Eric Clapton never played more convincing (or
   more enjoyable) blues than with the Yardbirds. The youthful energy and enthusiasm, the absence of guitar-god
   posturing, and the tightness of the band combine to produce a magical recording. The sound quality is sub-par,
   but that only adds to its charm. If you like John Mayall or the early Stones, don't miss this album - it's even
   better.



4. Despite being only the start of his long and illustrious career, Eric Clapton never played more convincing (or more enjoyable) blues than with the Yardbirds. The youthful energy and enthusiasm, the absence of guitar-god posturing, and the tightness of the band combine to produce a magical recording. The sound quality is sub-par, but that only adds to its charm. If you like John Mayall or the early Stones, don't miss this album - it's even better.



5. The Yardbirds only lasted five years (1963-68) but even in their embryonic stage they could rock as loud and as hard as any band in the world. This raw, powerful CD of a 1964 performance from the Marquee Club proves this conclusively. Bootleg-level sound and a set list of covers aside, this is maximum R&B with a perspiring punk edge. Hamish Grimes' giddy introduction gets the show off to a gleeful start as the lads rip into "Too Much Monkey Business," a ferocious recasting of the Chuck Berry classic that even non-fan Dave Marsh described as "genius." (Great as it is, Eric Clapton plays the intro in the wrong key -so says Cub Koda - but no matter, it's awesome.). Clapton's spitfire guitar takes up much of the ink, but the dynamics these five generate on "I'm a Man", "Respectable" and "Here Tis" are rock as brutal jazz improvisation, full of impassioned soloing that never quite gets out of hand. Keith Relf dominates the set as much as Clapton with his feral harp and gasping vocals. Keith's adenoidal singing may be an acquired taste (he's no Eric Burdon, let's face it) but I like it because his enthusiasm is so relentless. Check out the intoxicating way Relf plays off of Slowhand on "Louise." Glorious. The rest of the gang are no slouches either. Paul Samwell-Smith lays down a pulsating bass, Chris Dreja raves on sweaty rhythm guitar and Jim McCarty revs the engine with a cattle-stampede beat. The Clash could have learned a thing or two about energy from this record. But allow me to leave the final word with Howlin' Wolf. He called their version of "Smokestack Lighting" the best he'd ever heard. Take that Animals!

5 comments about E.C. Was Here.

1. Well, back in the day-when this record came out- you were trying to keep your records dust free and watching the tracking weight of the turntable tone arm. And looking for scratches!
   That was the era. Cream, Hendrix, Joplin, Jim Morrison and the Doors, The Beatles (and soon Elvis and Lennon in tragedy) were all gone!
   
   The '70's was a downright bummer trip and a prozac ride, before prozac was invented. The Eagles, came along with Linda Ronstadt and helped us get thru the decade, but with the white powder flooding the country and AIDS around the corner-the landscape was... shaky.
   And so is this album. Edit splices improved the product as usual. Liner notes would have been nice. Eric was then and is today, a legend in his own mind. Incredibly popular and likeable, he can get away with the most horrific behavior by simply turning into his guitar solos, his prayers and the power of his own consciousness. He has a survival guide. Somewhere.
   
   But these are good shows. Not as good as Cream's "Wheels of Fire LP" circa 1967-but our guitar god here is trying his best, re-inventing himself. His life mission it seems is to leave behind the 'success scars of Cream and Blind Faith' and the type casting that comes with it.
   He was still hung up on Layla aka Patty Harrison. And in "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" he yells out: "Did I mention any names?" (after Harrison inspired lyric-- "your very best friend..")
   It is ironic that after George Harrision's death in 2001, Eric would produce and lead the tribute concert: "A Song For George" with all the principal characters, except for Layla -Patty Harrison-Clapton would would not attend the show, and dealt with her own feelings of ending her marriage with George for Eric.
   Well under rated and forgotton is melodic and minimalist bassist Carl Radle who would soon die of a kidney infection from his own heroin use-at the age of 38. The sound was getting sloppy with all the drugs and alcohol, so EC fired everyone... by telegram. Carl was heart broken, strung out and Eric aware of his condition, turned a cold business decision into the kill zone.
   
   Eric was a wildman. Drinking heavily-smoking 3 packs a day. Finally bedding fantasy "Layla" aka Patty Harrison-he goes on tour and immediately has an affair with back-up vocalist Yvonne Elliman. Having learned to play from the heart, he is doing exactly that-but the self abuse is crippling and it will be decades before he actually settles down and finds wisdom. "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom," writes poet William Blake and for Eric he will count the costs later. Holy Mother. He's wasted and he can't find his way home. No rest for the Bluesman. Not yet.



2. Missed this CD in my E.C. collection.
   Astonished to hear wellknown numbers in a different way.
   This live performence is pure blues, cool performed.
   Refreshing duet with Yvonne Elliman.



3. I'm 55 yrs young and have enjoyed his music since I can remember. I purchased this LP when it was released and still do not regret it. What a talent and songwriter. Does anyone remember the Yardbirds and so forth ? It is a must for any blues fan ? of course it is . Just sit down , shut up and listen .



4. Flash back to mid-1970's, where record companies began releasing live albums regardless of the quality, a problem that would get worse after the unforeseen success of 'Frampton Comes Alive'. At this time Clapton had covered a reggae song, Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff". Similarly, he had recorded what can best be described as laid-back versions of songs such as Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and the traditional "Swing Low Sweet Chariot". So the powers that be decide that since he is (some would argue "was") first and foremost a blues guitarist, Clapton needed to release a live recording to burnish his blues credentials. So far, so good. Unfortunately the concert that was picked for this release, a 1974 summer stop in Long Beach, California, was very weak. In his autobiography, Clapton himself said that he would have preferred to have played small venues on this tour, which as others have noted was his first tour after 2-3 years of a serious drug addiction, but his management had committed him to an arena tour instead. Clapton's singing voice is weak, in fact I don't understand why others have lauded the inclusion of two Blind Faith songs ("Can't Find My Way Home" and "Presence Of The Lord") on this disc since they are basically sung by Yvonne Elliman. Now don't get me wrong Elliman is a good singer with a fine voice but we're paying for Eric Clapton here, right? Clapton is better on the slow blues numbers such "Driftin' Blues" and "Ramblin' On My Mind". "Further On Up The Road" is also a good song for Clapton's vocal style, but there are three other versions available from 1976-77 (one on the 'Crossroads' box set, another on 'Crossroads 2', and the third on the 2-CD compilation 'Blues') that are all superior to the version on 'E.C. Was Here'. In fact Clapton is in much better form in the late 1974 London leg of this tour and in 1975 -- in hindsight these are the shows that should have originally been released in '75 instead of this disc. If you want to hear Clapton live, 'Just One Night', '24 Nights' or even the live Derek and the Dominoes disc are better choices. There is also a complete concert from December, 1974 on the Deluxe Edition of '461 Ocean Boulevard'. These are all much better alternatives.



5. Even though I read a bunch of reviews before investing in Eric Clapton's 1975 live album, I wasn't sure whether the sound and style would be closer to late 70's Clapton (the softer, more commercialized period of his career) or the heavy bluesy jamming days with Derek and the Dominos (which rules). Turns out the album overall is closer to the early days. Good!
   
   I'm a big fan of Clapton's guitar playing. I think he's able to take a guitar solo and elevate it to a whole other world. He just has that special something that makes his playing unique and adventurous. Thankfully, this album is loaded with plenty of guitar jamming.
   
   The version I have is the one released in 1990. The sound quality, despite not being remastered or anything, is pretty fantastic. By 1975, the sound of live rock music was starting to get better anyway (thanks to recording technology). Not just Clapton, I mean everyone. This is simply a really good live album if you like Clapton's guitar style.
   
   "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" opens the live set. It's a slow, bluesy type song. Normally these kind of songs are boring, but guess what? Clapton's talent for taking guitar solos to extraordinary heights drastically improves what would otherwise be a typical, forgettable song. That's what makes this song probably the best song on the entire album.
   
   "Presence of the Lord" features both the softest AND the hardest moment on the entire disc. What I do mean, you ask? The 2 minute vocals that open the song are really soft and delicately beautiful. And then, BAM, the song turns into a borderline heavy metal jam for a few minutes. It's a surprisingly enjoyable twist.
   
   "Driftin' Blues" will make you drift, alright. It's an 11 minute and 30 second blues jam, for the most part. Yes, I believe all versions of this song are over 11 minutes long (in case you're worried you might be getting the shortened version). I say the song will make you drift because the guitar jams slowly and beautifully catch your attention, similar to the Allman Brothers and their famous jam titled "Dreams". The two songs are sort of alike.
   
   This version of "Can't Find My Way Home" is probably the best one I've ever heard. Clapton doesn't sing the vocals alone- he has a female partner with him (Yvonne Elliman). Together, they not only maintain the spiritual atmosphere of the original, but they might even surpass the old Blind Faith classic.
   
   "Ramblin' On My Mind" and "Further On Up The Road" are more enjoyable blues tunes with excellent guitar soloing scattered neatly throughout each song. They are probably the weakest songs here, but it's not really a problem seeing as how the entire live performance adds up to one great listening experience.
   
   A must own for Clapton fans.

5 comments about The Forever Changes Concert.

1. Great stuff
   
   Very nice package. I remember buying this after a Love show in Brooklyn, great stuff!
   
   Theres an easter egg (of sorts) on the package - you can find an extra song if you hit forward on the tracks
   
   All in all a good track selection (hard to go wrong with the whole of FChanges right?)
   
   Excellent liners as well, talking about the songs. Very engrossing stuff, with new information about the songs
   
   This and the recent Love Story movie on the band are both essential dvd purchases
   
   Great shows as well. Wonderful to have seen this band come back and do the album justice. RIP Arthurly



2. Love this band. Love this d.v.d. Love his new band, they sound great. Love is the answer. Love is all you need. Dig.



3. When I heard about tour for the Forever Changes album, I past on it thinking - it's not the original band, Arthur Lee had been through a lot of tough times so I figured his voice was probably gone, and how could they re-create live- one of the greatest rock albums ever? Boy did I miss out. Seeing this DVD, well it's just unbelieveable. Note for note, as good or maybe even better that the original recordings. A strong statement for sure, but seeing is believing. The group is utterly fantastic. The sound and picture quality, along with the strength of the songs and Arthur's passionate delivery will bring any real fans to tears. Tears of joy! Growing up, this was one of my favorite albums of all time. Seeing it performed live many years later only solidified my feelings of this masterpiece. Buy it now, now, NOW.
   It will become one of your favorite music DVDs in your collection.



4. When I reviewed the CD edition of the Forever Changes concert I wasn't aware that this DVD existed - the same concert, filmed! Yes, there are a couple of exceptions in the encores (the film has one song not on the CD, the CD has two songs not on the DVD). But all of Forever Changes is represented on both DVD and CD. I'm so glad this was done as it represents a truly great moment in rock history, and the great Arthur Lee is no longer with us. But he went out with an exquisite parting gift to his fans - this magnificent concert. Arthur delivers an unbelievable show, especially given his age and situation, his backup group is superb, and the strings and horns flawless. It reminded me of how limitless and exciting the vistas of rock once seemed, when geniuses still had access to recording contracts, before the Age of Britney. I watched this with my son, who thought it was fantastic as well, and I couldn't help but get a lump in my throat at the end as Arthur chanted, "Time... Time... Time... Time..." at the crescendo of "You Set The Scene." What more can I say? If you have a video library of the greatest that rock has to offer, make a place for this working piece of magic.



5. This is well worth adding to your music collection of DVDs. It is sad that Arthur Lee has passed away which makes this concert an important historical account of all the great music that Love produced. A concert that can be watched over many times and have no thoughts of trading it in.
   You all should have this show!

No comments about Goodbye.

2 comments about No Security.

1. This is an import version with the usual bonus track, this time it's I Just Want To Make Love To You (from way back on the first album). So far, this one has never been released on any single or other album, so this is the only place you can this this track.

   No Security was released Nov 3, 1998. It was recorded earlier the same year during the Bridges to Babylon tour and it was the Stones 8th live album. The album was *not* recorded during the No Security tour, which followed in January of 1999. The tracks on the album were actually recorded as follows:
   .....the Arena in Amsterdam (most tracks)
   .....the River Plate in Buenos Aires (Saint Of Me and Out Of Control)
   .....Zeppelinfield in Nuremberg
   .....the TWA Dome in St. Louis
   .....MTV's "Live From The 10 Spot"

   The album features old Stones friend Taj Mahal singing the blues standard Corinna and Dave Mathews singing with Mick on Memory Motel. There are no songs on the album that the Stones had not previously recorded. Some folks claim the CD is worth buying just for Lisa's phenomenal vocals on Gimme Shelter.

   Most people know the music, so in my reviews I try to give you data on the sessions and interesting facts connected with the songs and the album. Here we go:

   This information comes from "It's Only Rock And Roll: The Ultimate Guide To The Rolling Stones" by Karnbach and Bernson and from my own collection, with some of the notes from Davis' "Old Gods Almost Dead." Both books are available from amazon.com.




2. THIS IS SIMPLY THE BEST STONES RECORDING I'VE HEARD. THE CHOICE OF SONGS IS EXCELLENT AND THE ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE PUTS YOU RIGHT IN THE FRONT ROW. I NEVER TIRE OF LISTENING TO IT. A MUST FOR STONES FANS.

5 comments about A Fistful of Alice.

1. OK, just a quick few thoughts on this disc which will hopefully inform your choice or give you some food for thought, because picking apart in a critical style tunes that presumably you (my dear reader) already know would be pointless.
   
   Firstly this '97 release is well produced, well played and really finds it's function as a sort of greatest hits collection. The guest stars here comprise Rob Zombie, Slash and Sammy Hagar while the band for this rawk rock good time disc is Reb Beach (G), Ryan Roxie (G), Paul Taylor (keys), Todd Jensen (B) and Jimmy Degross (D). And the capable backing band really bring some of these older tunes that were a touch creaky when they were born to vibrant life. All the hits are here - check the track listing - and in order to get the completists to fork out their cash for tunes they already own we get a studio newie called 'Is Anyone Home' tacked unceremoniously on the end.
   
   While it's up to you if you really feel you need a live version of tunes you may already own, it has to be admitted that this life affirming collection, with it's full bodied production, is a pretty good summation of AC's greatest hits. All played to a loving audience at the Cabo Wabo Cantina in Mexico. From the sounds of it, a good time was had by all and buying this disc will probably score you a good time listen as well.



2. Recorded live at Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Cantina, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in June of '96, this is an awesome live cd from the Master of Shock rock, Alice Cooper. This rocks from start to finish, and every song is performed well. Alice's band was tight and heavy on here, plus it features guest appearances from Slash, and Rob Zombie. The only minor problem I have with this cd is with Paul Taylor's keyboards, it sounds generic, and too plastic- too bad they couldn't get a more "vintage" sounding organ on there when needed. All the big hits are here, like "I'm Eighteen", "School's Out", "Elected", and "Welcome To My Nightmare", plus rarely played gems like "Teenage Lament '74", "Lost In America" and "I Never Cry"-which was a huge hit single, in '76. Also included, is new studio track called "Is Anyone Home?", which is a melodic Beatle flavored number, to end the cd. I highly recommend you buy the Japan import version of "Fistful Of Alice", because it's got 4 live bonus tracks, including "Clones", "Bed Of Nails", "Under My Wheels", and "No More Mr. Nice Guy", all from the same show, which makes the cd flow even better. It's hard to find, but worth every penny. This is the definitive live Alice Cooper record, so far. Yes, the "Alice Cooper Show" album, from '77 is pretty good, but this one blows that away.



3. If you want to hear how Alice Cooper sounds like live, this album would be it! We saw him last night at Muskegon Summer Celebration, and it was AWESOME! I had my earplugs on, so the noise wouldn't bother me. We all were jammin' to the music, and I was screaming at the top of my lungs! My mom requested "Under My Wheels" at the encore a lot, but it isn't on this CD. She would be REALLY MAD if I told her that. Now, I'm an Alice Cooper fan! Everybody was screaming when "School's Out" came on! There are some special guests on this CD, like Sammy Hagar, and Slash of GNR. I talked to my brother last night while coming home from the concert in Muskegon, he said he was jealous! I loved it!
   
   Kylie



4. "A FISTFUL OF ALICE"
   
   REVIEW:
   
   "A Fistful of Alice" marks Alice's second live album (his first was 1977's "The Alice Cooper Show") and like the previous live album, "A Fistful of Alice" is again, too short. There are far too many tracks that are not included here but as it stands, this live album does have excellent sound quality. The main reason for fans to pick this album up is for the new studio track that caps it off. "Is Anyone Home?" is a great song that deals with a man's unhealthy obsession with the internet. Plus, it is good to hear such great songs like "Desperado" and "Teenage Lament '74" included in this live set. However, five of the twelve live tracks included here ("School's Out," "I'm Eighteen," "I Never Cry," "Billion Dollar Babies" and "Only Women Bleed") were all included previously on "The Alice Cooper Show". It would've been nice to hear some obscurities performed instead. I should note, however, that the worst live song on this album is the live rendition of Alice's 1991 mini-hit "Feed My Frankenstein". Rob Zombie - who shares lead vocals on the track with Alice - is absolutely horrendous.
   
   MUSICIANS:
   
   Reb Beach ... Guitar, Vocals
   Ryan Roxie ... Guitar
   Paul Taylor ... Keyboards, Guitar
   Todd Jensen ... Bass, Vocals
   Jimmy DeGrasso ... Drums
   Slash (of Guns 'N Roses) ... Guitar on "Lost In America," "Only Women Bleed" and "Elected"
   Rob Zombie (of White Zombie) ... Vocals on "Feed My Frankenstein" and "Elected"
   Sammy Hagar ... Guitar on "School's Out"
   Dan Wexler ... Guitar on "Is Anyone Home?"
   Steve Farris ... Guitar on "Is Anyone Home?"
   Matt Laug ... Drums on "Is Anyone Home?"
   Merrit Morrison ... Bass on "Is Anyone Home?"
   String Section on "Is Anyone Home?" ... Bennett Salvey, Peter Kent, Mario DeLeon, Darrin McCann and Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick
   
   INTERESTING FACTS:
   
   1. Released in June of 1997, "A Fistful of Alice" failed to chart on the Billboard Top 200.
   
   2. Recorded live on June 2nd 1996 at the Cabo Wabo Club in Mexico - which is owned by Sammy Hagar.
   
   3. Original title for "A Fistful of Alice" was "Viva Alice".
   
   4. Joey Ramone, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai had originally agreed to appear at the event but in the end, they did not make it to the show.
   
   5. Along with the 13 tracks released in the U.S., the Japanese release of the album feature the additional tracks of "Under My Wheels," "No More Mr. Nice Guy," "Bed Of Nails," and "Clones (We're All)".
   
   PACKAGING:
   
   Classy but at the same time, humorous album cover with loads of live photos in CD booklet. The CD is a picture disc of the album cover.
   
   APPROX. RUNNING TIME:
   
   55 min. and 6 sec.
   
   FINAL ANALYSIS:
   
   The live tracks do boast top notch sound quality and the studio track, "Is Anyone Home?," is an excellent addition to the Cooper catalog which makes "A Fistful of Alice" worth purchasing. However, it is not much of an improvement - IF ANY - over 1977's "The Alice Cooper Show". ***1/2 out of 5.



5. This album is just plain fun. Whether you're a devoted fan of Alice Cooper or just a casual one, you should enjoy these fine live versions of some of his best songs.
   
   True, "Fistful Of Alice" is too short, missing out on such classics as "Under My Wheels" and "No More Mr Nice Guy", but it's also very reasonably priced, and it's hard to fault what is here: Tight, focused live renditions of "School's Out", "I'm Eighteen", "Elected", "Poison", "Lost In America" and many more. The sound is very good, and unlike some hard rock albums, the band is gritty but restrained and they don't resort to long, pointless and eventually tedious instrumental breaks or wild solos.
   Alice Cooper's vocals are raw and powerful, and he has never sounded better. This is great stuff.

5 comments about Blow Your Face Out.

1. An apt salute to the six studio albums of boogie rock that the J. Geils Band had recorded between 1970-1975, this 1976 live extravaganza showcases the band at their best--performing live! It is also a capable followup to 1972's Full House, which remains one of the best live recordings of any American band in the 20th century!
   Released at a time when live albums were big sellers (Frampton Come Alive, Kiss Alive, i.e.), this underated gem gives the band a chance to deliver their best songs with irreverent energy and unstoppable rythym that'll have you dancing within the first two minutes of the opening "Southside Shuffle" till the last chords of "Give it to Me"
   Some may find Peter Wolf's banter a bit lengthy and/or annoying in between many songs on Blow Your Face Out! Others may find Wolf's pre-rap, D.J.'ish chatter a novelty....Either way it's in-your-face fun!



2. The quintiscential Geils band live album. If you grew up in the seventies, this was the party album. Good sound and great energy.



3. This album has great energy and captures the 'Live' J Geils Band experience very nicely. There is no comparison to actually seing this band live, but this (along with their "Full House" album) is as close as your ever going to get. I highly recommend it!



4. In the history of the J Geils Band, "Blow Your Face Out" is their definitive live work. This record came as their Atlantic years were ending. No one knew but soon the EMI America years would start and the fame of the band would be achieved but, at the time of "Blow Your Face Out", Geils was still struggling to become the great success they later attained. So, we can look at "Blow Your Face Out" as their summing up of their struggling years and showing the road warrior mentality and experience that all those years can provide on a record.
   
   It's full of their old material and captures their well known knack as a live band. As someone who saw the band in that era, this live record is as close as it gets to having been at a show in the 70's.
   
   "Monkey Island" was their final studio record for Atlantic but, in reality, "Blow Your Face Out" was their real swan song to their past at that point and shows a glimpse of the greatness that was to soon come at EMI America.
   
   Buy the record. You'll love it.



5. Being a huge fan of J. Geils' "Full House," I was encouraged by some reviews here to believe that "Blow Your Face Out" was a similar live effort. But the only similarity is that they were both recorded live. "Blow Your Face Out" is funky and laid back. Not bad, if that's what you want. But anyone expecting something along the lines of Full House will be tremendously disappointed. In fact, "Lookin' For Love," which will knock your socks off on "Full House," is done as a slow, elavator Muzac tune in "Blow Your Face Out." Why did they even bother?
   
   The energy level, which is consistently frenzied on Full House, rarely gets above "low" on "Blow Your Face Out." After listening to it twice, I realized there is no song on it that I want to hear again. Not that aren't a couple good songs on it. There just are no high energy songs other than House Party. I wasted my money.

1 comments about Gary Glitter's Gangshow: The Gang, The Band, The Leader.

1. This guy has obviously some personal problems, but on stage he is just magic. Simple songs performed in front of a fanatic audience. All time hits in quiet a good sound. Try it and you will become a member of the "GANG"!

5 comments about Reckoning.

1. While the Dead's live concerts tend toward the trippy, long guitar solos which have become famous (not a bad thing at all), this is a whole different animal.
   
   Almost all accoustic, shorter, lively pieces, make this a unique addition to the Dead's legendary live archive. Anyone who loves American Beauty and Workingman's Dead should love this set.



2. My mom is all into Bob Dylan, my Dad likes mostly just opera, my younger sister is into "emo" music. So the only Deadheads are me and my older sister. But that's cool, because EVERYONE loves this CD...buy it for your family, too!
   
   This is on overlooked Dead gem...in my opinion, you should buy this over American Beauty. Reckoning is like American Beauty...with real depth and energy.
   
   It has a wonderful warm sound to it, and I don't know what magic the producers worked on these soundboard recordings, but Jerry's guitar has a really sweet tone that I'll admit I have no found on any of the distributed concert recordings I've listened to. Songs like "To Lay Me Down" and "Ripple" will have an eternal effect on you...you will not be able to forget them.
   
   Five stars, this is the Grateful Dead, live and at their best.



3. What more to say......if you are new to the Dead then look no further. This is about as good as it gets and shows just how good they really could be. If you're already a fan then you really got to have this one to complete the collection.



4. I own over 20 Grateful Dead Albums and this one is my favorite! With songs like "To Lay Me Down" and "It Must Have Been The Roses, this album show a little bit "softer" side of the dead, but it has a lot of nice upbeat tunes and jams as well.
   I recommend the Remastered CD over this one, for the song "Heaven Help The Fool" if nothing else. It's one of those moments where they are just kind of playing around but it sounds so good.
   -Also try "Europe 72" or "Hundred Year Hall" for some old GD classics.



5. A live recording, acoustic geetars, tribal drumming, phil lesh, what esle could a head ask for? These are all very traditional tunes conjured into brilliant dead jams and garcia highlights. Besides actually attending these concerts at Radio City Hall in 1980 having this album is the next best thing.GOTO SHOWS!
   
   I think that themes of murder, revenge and lost love are prominent on all the songs, except maybe moinkey and the engineer, a hilarious portrait of bobby weir. However the lyrics r only superficial to the music, the sounds of a band deeply exploring within itself are the highlights here. The sound on this album is one of the best of all the grateful dead albums, the other ones, american beauty and workingmans may have decent sound but just don't have upbeat tracks, the kind that can only be captured live. All in all this is the best Grateful Dead cd, not the best moment in music perhaps, but with the name grateful dead we give the tunes some here and there, ok!