5 comments about Live Killers.

1. This is a decent live album, but I won't repeat what many others have already said here. I would, however, like to warn you of a censored version. I'm listening loudly in headphones to a 2003 remastered version from Parlaphone/EMI (although mine is in a jewel case and not a digipack). During the introduction to "Death on Two Legs", there are three loud beeps, much louder than Mr. Mercury's voice, which nearly caused me to go deaf, not to mention the insult to Queen's art and their fans' intelligence. I don't remember the Hollywood Records remaster being censored, but this sort of thing should not be tolerated. Shame on EMI.



2. I usually judge my appreciation of live albums in two ways: 1) is it a significant historical document and 2) are the live versions better than the old studio songs? As far as the latter goes for me, `Live Killers' is somewhere between `Love You Live' and `Live! Bootleg!' A good live record not a great one, and most definitely not the album I grab when I want to here Queen. I would much rather have the Rainbow concert for early 1975, but then again the 1974-1975 era is my favorite of Queen's. This record still rocks but I don't know why I don't love it. Maybe "Brighton Rock" is too long and just not as impressive as the studio recording, surprisingly since Brian May is an all-time favorite of mine. The original side one is probably the best with the killer version of `Rock You' that blows away the original and serves as a great concert opener. "Rhapsody" and "Tie Your Mother Down" just don't go for the jugular enough for me. Freddie is bleeped out on "Death..." ? I guess Steven Tyler and Mick Jagger can drop f-bombs on a live album but Freddie can't? That's a head-scratcher. Queen fans will love `Live Killers' but for me its pretty ordinary and I am a Queen fan!



3. I was lucky enough to have seen Queen live on four separate occasions (1977, 78, 80 & 83) Amazing shows! It is quite different when you are actually there as opposed to listening to a live recording.
   This CD is OK. The performances range from good to lackluster. If you are looking for the sound they make in their studio releases you won't find it here. What you will find is more of a rendition of their 70's work. They rework most of their material so that they can perform it live without much difficulty. Sometimes it works well, other times you feel disappointed. (The medley part is a big disappointment for me)
   It says that this CD was "Remastered" but after comparing it to the original vinyl release, it sounds exactly the same. The original mix was not all that good anyway. It tends to sound dull most of the time. Also this is not a complete show. "It's late" & "Fat bottom girls' are not included.



4. Queen performs their special magic but the recording quality is simply poor. The miking is miserable with many vocals distant and weak sounding. Ruins a thoroughly memorable performance for the CD listener.



5. I never was so fond of Queen the way they sounded studio-like.
   When I bought their album "Queen Live Killers" in 1980, however, this only confirmed my opinion that Queen is an excellent live-performer of the songs which had seemed so dull, with all due respect, in the first place before hearing the "Live Killers"-album.
   Therefore, I pay my respect to Queen's studio-albums of the 1960s-1970s including the "Live Killers"-album which forms an indispensible kind of bridge between the old and new Queen to come.

5 comments about A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

1. The Moodies were a great Studio Group, but for any that have had the priviledge to see them Live. They are consumate professionals, each with their own skill. The DVD is amazing, sad to see them without Mike Pinder enjoying the peak of their success. To me they were best when the music was shared between all members and not focused on one individual such as Justin Hayward who not doubt is skilled check out Question. But listen to Ray Thomas on For My Lady. To have Mike Pinders Songs and more of Thomas's songs would have maybe sent it to a triple CD, but it would have been great. I prefer Caught Live +5 for that reason even though the recording may not have been as good. Get the Version that includes the DVD. Top Rate Live Concert. Sad to see Groups break up, but also to see people age and begin to lose their skills.



2. Finally, the full concert in a CD. All the songs are here. It was more cost effective to buy this CD and the Red Rocks DVD separately than to buy the box set. The CD has been remastered and all the songs from the concert included. Why they aren't included in the video is beyond me. There is a companion DVD that included the left out songs and more interview, but it is difficult to find. Since they did such a wonderful job with this CD, hopefully they will integrate the DVD and rerelease it also.
   The sound on this CD makes you feel as if you are truly right there!



3. This is the most comprehensive collection of Moody Blues work I've ever seen. I was priviledged to watch the show live on our local PBS station and this collection has songs they didn't show. It's absolutely wonderful. A must-have for anyone who loves the Moody Blues.



4. I am a 19 year old hooked on the Moody Blues (ironic isn't it??). Back in my early years, my mother got me hooked on the Moody Blues because we both saw the "A Night at Red Rocks" concert (which I bought on DVD before asking for the Deluxe Edition) on PBS during a donation drive. From then on, I have been a fan of the Moody Blues. My mom originally owns the single disc version of this concert on CD with less tracks than the Deluxe Edition, and let me just say I borrowed it for a long period of time. So for Christmas 2005, I asked for the Deluxe Edition of the concert, and I couldn't be more happier. This CD has the entire concert that took place on that thursday evening in September back in 1992. It is digitally remastered and even has dialogue between the music. I am right now on the fourth time of listening to the CD on my DiscMan. For the record, also, my mother was happy because after I opened this gift I went upstairs to my room, brought down her gift, and said "Merry Christmas, Mother, here is your CD." Unfortunately, she is raging with jealousy since my CD has more tracks on it.



5. A NIGHT AT RED ROCKS WITH THE COLORADO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is an exceptional Moody Blues live album that shreds CAUGHT LIVE+5 for two reasons. First of all, the earlier live album had actually been cut in 1969, when the band was high on drugs and/or drunk. Secondly, G-d created Red Rocks Ampitheater with excellent acoustics, so you can hear each instrument on its own AND as part of the whole group. The songs are all acknowledged classics, and this setting shows how Justin Hayward's, John Lodge's, and Ray Thomas's voices have deepened and matured over the years. This album is an important addition to any Moody Blues collection.

5 comments about Live at the Royal Albert Hall (with Bonus Disc).

1. Am listening to this concert in the SACD format through B and O headphones and the sound quality is excellent. Perhaps I am biased as I was at this concert right near the front and remember being enthralled. A great selection of songs from a group that puts most of today's music to shame.
   John Entwistle's bass solo on 515 is worth the price of the collection itself. Catch it on DVD as well.



2. this is a great cd, this is one of the greatest bands in the history



3. Yes, the Who are one of the greatest live bands ever, but on this album they certaintly don't sound like it. The only redeeming factor is great songs such as "Baba O'Riley", "Won't Get Fooled Again", and "My Generation". I particularly didn't care for the long drawn out version of "The Kids Are Alright". I also felt that it would have been a better concert without the special guests.
   
   I give this album three stars because the song selection is good but the overall performance was subpar.



4. I already own the Live at the Royal Hall DVD which is a great DVD to own.
   This CD package includes a bonus disc of unreleased Who material which was performed later that includes Young Man Blues, Summertime Blues, I Do Even Know Myself and I'm Free. In addition, the original CD also has a great performance bt Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam from the Who's Next Album Getting in Tune. In addition, it has another song Mary Ann with The Shaky Hand. I have converted this performance to MP3 files in order that I can listen to it on my IPOD. In addition, this CD/DVD has probably one of John Entwistle's last performance since he passed away later at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas before the start of another Who tour. In addition, great performance by Bryan Adams, Noel Gallagher, Kennedy, Eddie Vedder and others. It is a great tribute to one of my favorite and greatest Rock and Roll bands of all times. The Who is still touring and I highly recommend everyone to see them.



5. When I first saw this set available on CD, my first thought was "great - just what the world needs - another Who live album!" But the sucker that I am for music by The Who, I bought it anyway, and was pleasantly surprised by how good it is. Having stripped themselves to a five-piece after the 1989 "The Kids Are Alright" tour and the 1996 "Quadrophenia" tour, the Who got back to basics for this show. These guys may have been in their fifties when they did this, but that didn't stop them from returning to their over-the-top bombastic glory. If I could use one word to describe their performance, it would be "incendiary." Roger Daltrey's voice can't quite hit the high notes like it used to, but he showed on this set that he still had the pipes to do Who songs justice. Pete Townshend has a very nasty guitar tone throughout, and this is not a bad thing. Best of all, you get to hear John Entwistle, the Bassist of the Millennium, playing lead bass while Pete thrashes out his power chords. The interplay between him and Pete, especially on Magic Bus, is a revelation. He plays a mind-bending solo on 5'15. Sadly, The Ox is no longer with us. I still miss him. There are no bassists like him - before or since. His final performance is documented on the bonus disc, and it's quite a performance. The band is at it's fire-belching best throughout. The song selection is top notch, and includes a few surprises (The Relay, Let's See Action, I'm One, Mary Anne With the Shaky Hand), plus the usual suspects. The only reason I don't give this set 5 stars is because too much of the between-song banter from Pete is left in. The only exception to this was when he put a heckler in his place. Pete always was a punk at heart. This performance reminds me of when they played at MSG in New York after 9-11. I remember they blew the roof off the place, and this performance in London has that same feel. This is a worthy addition to any Who fan's collection. Get it now - you won't be disappointed.

5 comments about Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970.

1. Everything about this release is wrong, except for the content. Maybe if the sound was recompressed, remixed and washed out a couple of times it might be tolerable. It seems most of The Who's punch from "Live at Leeds" was lost in the open air of this festival. I've heard better bootlegs, but not to say that this recording is "dirty", because it's not. If anything is too quiet, clean and tired. I'd pass.



2. this is by far the worst live disc I have heard. I was at this show and it was nothing like this muffed miss mix they so shamelessly put out here. Townsend owes me and every other fan a personal apology



3. This is a heavily acclaimed live album, at times compared favorably to Live at Leeds. And there's a good reason for that: this is the Who, a legendary live act, at their prime, playing a really good show. Sure, you could complain about all the overlap with the one-disc Leeds reissue - "Young Man's Blues", "Heaven and Hell", "Summertime Blues", and a multitude of the early hits ("I Can't Explain", "Substitute", "My Generation", "Happy Jack", "Magic Bus") appear on both discs - but that doesn't matter much, and I'll tell you why: those songs, both originals and covers, represent the Who at their absolute prime. Other than those, most the album is devoted to one of two things. There are a lot of Lifehouse outtakes: "I Don't Even Know Myself" (a fun little rocker that switches to jaunty ragtime), "Water" (an awesome epic rocker with Pete packing more guitar heroics into eleven minutes than most guitarists can fit into an album - it obliterates the version found as a bonus track on Who's Next), and "Naked Eye", which only rules slightly less than "Water"; or, the reason you probably bought this in the first place, a performance on Tommy that's more or less in its entirety, though "Underture", "Welcome", "Cousin Kevin" and "Sally Simpson" are absent, and the order is a bit off - "Tommy Can You Hear Me" is for whatever reason placed before "Go to the Mirror?", even though it makes no sense when placed there. The Tommy performance is as good as if not better than the original version, since Townshend plays a lot of guitar, and there aren't many better guitarists than Pete. It's loaded with energy, too. Okay, so the piano part on "1921" is missed, as are all the French horn parts. The "Amazing Journey"/"Sparks" medley is always classic (Especially "Sparks", where Townshend gets in more of those guitar heroics you heard on "Water" - it's enough to rival Jimi Hendrix, and Entwistle plays another genius bassline, the kind he could knock off without even thinking too hard about it - Keith Moon goes crazier than usual, and it's too bad they never gave him a drum solo. That would be amusing), "The Acid Queen" is graced with one of Pete's most distinctive vocals; "Pinball Wizard" is "Pinball Wizard" (need I say anymore? By the way, how did he manage to play the intro with only one guitar? Does Roger do double-duty or something?), they rampage their way through "Go to the Mirror!", not like that's a bad thing; "We're Not Gonna Take It" is still the same desperate prayer. And even some of the "minor" songs have their good points - "Christmas" and "Eyesight to the Blind" aren't favorites of mine, but they are performed quite well. Sadly, an ear-bursting "I'm Free" doesn't at all fit the subtlety required for that song, and it ends up being the only real disappointment on the album, along with "Substitute", which they seemingly can't get right live. The rambling "My Generation" is much better, though, and an easy highlight. Great guitar solos, and I like the random quote from "Water". So no, this album can't match Live at Leeds, but what can?



4. The Who's performance at the 1970 Isle of Wight festival was phenominal. In my opinion, it is better than their "Live At Leeds" concert. Leeds seemed to be more polished, but Isle of Wight shows more of the authenticity of The Who's early-day live performances. The music is played with much energy, and the banter between songs gives it more of an actual concert flavor, unlike Leeds. The Leeds concert sounds like a studo album that just happened to have an audience.
   
   Not only is this a superior performance to Leeds, it is also a better CD release. Leeds omitted songs, chopped up other songs, was presented out of order, and was re-released with inferior sound quality. Isle of Wight has none of those qualities, and is a perfect release in every way. Of course, die hard fans will want both this and Leeds, but if you are trying to choose, this is easily the better buy.



5. Many people say you need to get "Live At The Leeds" to experiece The Who in all their glory. Personally, if you ask this fan, I completely disagree. Now, I greatly enjoy "Live At The Leeds", but I feel at many times it lacks energy and feels very incohesive and as a whole, yes, I'm going to say it, it's a tad overrated.
   
   To truly experience The Who at their zenith, look no further than the two disc "Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970". Now this is classic Who. As one reviewer pointed out, Roger and Pete are much more focused and energetic than they are on "Live At The Leeds". Pete's guitar work is nothing short of astounding, and vocally Roger has never been better. The Ox as always plays bass than anyone who has or ever will touch the instrument, and Moon is his wild, over the top self throughout the whole running time, never missing a beat.
   
   Every song, including a terrific "Tommy" set, is full of life and is a sheer joy to listen to. The sound quality is overall terrific, and the liner notes and packing are very well done. This is a highly worthwhile purchase.

5 comments about Caught in the Act.

1. If you lived in the suburbs, they issued this albumn along with Frampton Comes Alive (ok, apologies to Wayne and Garth.....)!!!
   
   But serious, this album along with Frampton defined live albums. I knew people who had no idea who Grand Funk was and yet still owned this album. Now if they can only have concerts like this today....
   
   Great album, if you don't have it, get it! You will not be disappointed!!!



2. I was a kid in the seventies, my favorite band were Uriah Heep, Deep Purple and Grand Funk. I still like these bands and listening to "Caught in the Act" reminds me the good seventies. This is a very good Rock album and contains the "almost" perfect choice of songs, the sound is very good.
   A must have if you are a fan of the band or a classic rock music lover !



3. Having seen Grand Funk 5 times from 1970-75 which of course is the time of all the live recordings of them, I can tell you that this is the tale end of a great live band. Grand Funk was always known as a live band and they had many problems selling their studio albums for that reason. Having seen the down and raunchy to the "we are getting tired of doing this" concerts, it is a great story and I still listen with wonder to the live recordings reliving the idea that I was deaf for 3 days after the concert in the Boston Gardens in 71-72 (hard to remember which year)and my friend Ronnie who after the third song laid down on the chairs (we were on the floor about 50 feet fromt he stage) closed her eyes and never got up again until the last song when I think she was able to handle the whole thing again. The last time I saw them was at the Hampton Roads Colisium in Hampton Virginia in 75 and was the culmination again of fan distress when one of the fans reached up and pulled the cord from Marks guitar as he was flying across the stage (again I was down front)caught up in Inside Looking Out and all the while shaking his head at the fan pleading for him not to pull it out, but he did anyway and of course prophetically that was the end of a great era. Greatest Live Rock band ever.



4. If you are a GFR fan,this re-master is a must have! Don't mess about,just buy it. It sounds great in my truck CD system, but man, it's too cool to listen to the whole CD when I have the time to kill around the house,late at night.I have the old version AND this re-master version,and I must say,the difference is unreal.
   
   These guys were THE band that Zep would not follow onstage. These fellows played for 2,500 people at the Filmore East,then 32,000 at Madison Square Garden,then 50,000+ at Shea Stadium,selling out faster than the Beatles.
   The LIVE album and this one give you insight as to why.
   
   Excellent buy...



5. If I could travel back in time going to this concert would be on my top 5 "to do list"!!

5 comments about Live in Australia.

1. Being a die hard Elton fan is sometimes not easy. I've titled this review to compare two major thoughts I always have while listening to this cd. I can never quite make up my mind where this is a truly passionate delivery from Elton or just completely overblown effort. Let me explain. There's no doubt that Elton pours his heart out on this release. He was in the midst of a tabloid scandal in Britain, his latest studio album didn't do so well(Leather Jackets) and was also at the height of his drug abuse. Not to mention a voice problem that led to surgery. On this release, his voice has no enjoyable quality: it's ragged, strained and monotone. It's a shame because staging a show this large just can't be canceled. So on with the show despite the singer's troubled vocal chords.
   
   But the orchestrations of these songs are simply superb. James Newton-Howard embellishes the most appealing moments from these early tracks (Paul Buckmaster did the original arrangements on the early '70 tracks). There are some standout performances here to: I Need You To Turn To and The Greatest Discovery, in particular due to their delicate lyrics which benefit from the understated arrangements here. On the other hand, Take Me To The Pilot, in which Elton appears to struggle through, is so overdone, it's no wonder his vocals were showing signs of problems. He can barely get through it without sounding out of breath.
   
   Many of these songs are taken from the classic years ('70-'76). Some real notable songs from Elton's Geffen years ('81-'86) were omitted due to record label contract issues (Elton returned to MCA for this 1987 release after 6 years with Geffen). But the listener missed out on some key tracks such as the brillant Cold As Christmas from '83's Too Low For Zero and Slow Rivers, one of the few highlights from '86's Leather Jackets.
   
   All in all, if you can get past his voice here, you will enjoy the cd overall. It's such a shame that his voice wasn't better for such a high profile ocassion.
   
   Best Tracks: 60 Years On, I Need You To Turn To, Madman Across The Water.



2. Elton's Geffen Records contract had run its course and his old home, MCA, made him an offer he couldn't refuse. MCA also wanted to bring Elton back into prominence, to regain the respect and sales he'd accumulated in the 70's. How better to do that, then, than to revisit those early songs in a live context? Better yet, Elton enlisted the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and James Newton Howard to create a televised extravaganza with eyes towards a live album. The set list leaned heavily towards the early years (nearly half the "Elton John" album is here) and tapping some underrated songs like "Tonight" from "Blue Moves" and "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player's" "Have Mercy On The Criminal."
   
   The orchestration is magnificent, utilizing the original Paul Buckmaster and James Newton Howard arrangements, and on CD they are absolutely majestic. Elton made one of his last forays into costume drama, showing up in full Mozart gear and powdered wig. "Live In Australia" even paved the way for "Candle In The Wind" to finally become an American hit, hitting number 6 in 1987. It is a gorgeous album, lush in sound and giving justification to all claims of the brilliance of Elton and Bernie's songwriting.
   
   Only one problem: Elton's voice was almost shot. He was mere weeks away from major, voice threatening throat surgery and the roughness on his vocal chords shows. He can't sustain the highs and his falsetto is gone. On some of the songs, he makes up for it admirably. In fact, he sounds really good on the songs where range isn't a major requirement (like the dramatic "The King Must Die" or "Take Me To The Pilot"), but the ballads occasionally show the frayed spots (like "Tonight," where the orchestration is very Gershwinesque, or "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word"). Had it not been for those moments where Elton's voice betrays him, this could have been a five-star definitive work, on a par with "Procol Harum Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra." While "Live In Australia" is still pretty darn good, the definitive live Elton remains the remastered "Here and There."



3. The music of Elton John and the lyrics of Taupin are showcased in this album of lush orchestral rock. The choice of songs has some of the best loved as well as some of the most underrated songs of the John/Taupin classic years.
   All the songs are powerful, evoking emotions that are encouraged by the full rich sound of the orchestration. The resulting album starts off with less well known songs such as 'The Greatest Discovery' and builds to the signature tunes of 'Candle in the Wind' and 'Your Song'.
   For younger fans, this is a definitive look at Elton at the peak of his career. For the older fans this is a wonderful look back at the classic years, using pivotal songs, not necessarily the most popular.
   For those lucky enough to see Elton John live, this album is a treasured memory. Great live sound, combined with technically superb stagecraft.



4. I am a huge Elton John fan. Just saw his Captian and the Kid tour in February. Fantastic! Best 2 1/2 hour show I have ever seen. Just as good as the Fleetwood Mac 2003 Say You Will tour. Anyway, let's all just keep hoping and praying that Universal / Chronicles Music group will put out a Deluxe 2-disc set of Elton John's Live In Australia album, the complete show, including the 90 minute opening set of Elton's band without the Melbourne Symphony (check out the video of the show).
   
   This quote "Remastered" version is no more than a re-issue by Island Records. It has no more output or better sound than my original Live In Australia issued by BMG back in 1986. Don't waste your money if you are looking for improved sound. It does have a nicer booklet and new liner notes, but that's all.
   
   The same thing happened to me when I purchased the 2001 Island version of Elton John's Greatest Hits 1976-1986. I figured the newer version surely would sound better than the old 1992 original version. WRONG. They were exactly the same.
   
   Now you know.



5. I can listen to this CD over and over and over without getting tired of it. I just absolutely love the orchestra backing up ELton's raspy singing voice, the combination is magical to me. I am not as fond of the music coming from Elton John in the last decade or two as I was in his earlier days, and this album to me is ELton singing the best of the best. I also especially like that at least half of the songs are not his most known songs and so they have not been played on the radio ad nauseum (even though I play them in my car ad nauseum!)

5 comments about No Quarter: Jimmy Page & Robert Plant Unledded.

1. I like Led Zep a lot, also, I like Robert Plant as a solo artist.
   I was surprised by the Coverdale Page album,I like it a lot.
   I had big expectation for this one, Page and Plant again together...
   It was a big deception. I don,t like the new songs, "No Quarter" is horrible, what a disaster ! I'll give my cd to somebody who, I hope, will like it.



2. robert plant and jimmy page unledded no quarter cd with a great backing band featuring african instruments and a eastern favour to many led zeppelin classics this album is needed in any zeppelin fans collection just for the version of kashmir classic
   robert's voice may sound a bit croaky he still rocks and page hasn't lost his talent both playing with their full alblities
   i love this cd a new light to led zeppelin songs and you thought robert plant and jimmy page would never play together again
   well they did and it was superb



3. At the beginning I was worried, what if Page's guitar or Plant's voice dissapoints me.
   However it was not necessary. Although the first number "Nobody's Fault But Mine" slightly confuses me, but the sound was getting better and better
   Most of numbers originally from Zeppelin are all my favorites, Five of them are from the 3rd album, I am very glad that as a 3rd album lover.
   "Gallows Pole" and "Four Sticks" were even better than the original. I didn't feel it was nice the string section in "Since I've Been Loving You".
   
   Anyway overall, this album has good balance of the sound. Zeppelin was a great band but also I was feeling the balance of the sound was unusual as a Rock Band. Usually the vocalist is a leading part in the rock band, but in Zeppelin each member is so great that Plant's vocal sounded like just one of them. Sometimes as if a back chorus. I always wondered it should be called great features or weakness of them.
   But here, Plant acts as a leading roll and Page's guitar supports him.
   
   So "No Quarter" means the vocalist is not a quarter here?



4. As usual, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have turned out a winner. This album has nothing superflous. Every track is fantastic, from the addictive 'Nobody's Fault But Mine' to sad and beautiful 'That's the Way'. There are the clear eastern influences found in much Led Zepplin, and, and as always the lyrics are poetry in themselves - take:
   "And yesterday I saw you standing by the river,
   And weren't those tears that filled your eyes,
   And all the fish that lay in dirty water dying,
   Had they got you hypnotized?
   
   And yesterday I saw you kissing tiny flowers,
   But all that lives is born to die.
   And so I say to you that nothing really matters,
   And all you do is stand and cry.
   
   I don't know what to say about it,
   When all you ears have turned away,
   But now's the time to look and look again at what you see,
   Is that the way it ought to stay?"
   
   It can be listened to over and over again - No song becomes tired or repetitive despite many many hearings. It's a valuable addition to any collection of rock music.



5. After Live Aid, the Atlantic Records birthday concert, and some other live brief appearances, I was excited to see this effort during the "unplugged" era....I was hoping Plant and Page would tour and tour they did. For fans who were not old enough to see Led Zep in concert, this had to be the closest I would ever get. Although I saw the Firm and solo shows by Plant, and only recently did Plant start to go back to Led Zep tunes, nothing compared to the Plant/Page tour that followed the release of this cd. Fine selection of songs fit real well with all of the backing musicians.

5 comments about Coma Divine.

1. Like many others, I am not always keen on "live" albums. They are often poorly recorded, drawn out, and seemingly released merely to add to the record company's bottom line. While two of those points may be partially true with Coma Divine, no fan can complain about the quality of the recording.
   Though its hard to add anything to reviewer R Gorham's comments, I will at least get in his amen corner. Like Gorham, I own the Snapper music remaster of this CD and like him I think the recording is superior. Though some of the songs are a little drawn-out (something you want if you are actually at the concert), Coma Divine should thrill long-time fans of Porcupine Tree. Those new to the band can hear their roots in hard rock/psychedelia right here.
   PT is often compared to Pink Floyd. That's fair enough but that doesn't mean its a clone. It is however the brainchild of multi-talented musical polymath Steven Wilson. On Coma Divine, those talents become apparent to any music-lover who listens and just one hearing should squelch any doubts you may have about the depth of those talents.
   My favorites here are Waiting Phase One and Phase Two, The Sky Moves Sideways, and Radioactive Toy, the song that could be an anthem for both the current Iranian "president" and the current dictator of North Korea.
   In short, Coma Divine is a strong and memorable performance and a worthwhile vehicle for showcasing a future supergroup while it was yet in its adolescence. My advice is to get this now while it is still available. If your musical tastes lie outside the confines of what you are fed on the radio, then Porcupine Tree may be the band for you.



2. THE BAND: Steve Wilson (guitars, vocals), Richard Barbieri (keyboards) Colin Edwin (bass), Chris Maitland (drums & percussion).
   
   THE DISC: (1997) Originally released in '97 (containing 10 tracks), this elegant digitally remastered foldout digi-pak was re-released in 2004 by Snapper Music. 2 discs containing 14 total tracks (53+ minutes on disc-1, 47+ minutes on disc-2). Included with the discs is a 6-page booklet containing band pictures, song titles & times. Recorded live in Rome in March 1997.
   
   COMMENTS: The new & improved remastered version of "Coma Divine" is brilliant. New cover artwork and crisp remixed sound makes this totally worthwhile. While England's Porcupine Tree is always beautifully crafted music from the maestro Steve Wilson, this recording is where the band puts it all together on one stage. PT reaches so many different kinds of listeners (or at least they should)... catchy pop, hard rock, retro psychedelic (1970's style in the vein of Pink Floyd), electronic, etc. Wilson's strong writing and guitar wizardry can't help but take you on a mesmerizing journey every time you listen. I enjoy PT's willingness to be different and experiment. 14 tracks are featured on "Coma" - great live rendentions include "Signify", "Waiting - Phase I & II", the 13 minute "Radioactive Toy", "Up The Downstair", "Moonloop" and the 12+ minute "The Sky Moves Sideways", et all. The audience seems fairly small and very enthusiastic (and respectful at the same time)... in some songs you can hear a pin drop. Songs from "The Sky Moves Sideways" album dominate the track list on "Coma Divine". You'll also find a few tunes from "Signify" and a few from earlier releases. Due to this being a 1997 release, you'll find no songs from recent classics "Stupid Dream (1999), "Lightbulb Sun" (2000), or "In Absentia" (2002). Can't wait for a live album from PT featuring tracks from these awesome albums. If you're a fan of Porcupine Tree - you MUST own this release (5 stars).



3. Live albums seem to be only for the die hard fans of particular bands. When you're unsure of the particular content of their material, what basis for contrast do you have, right? I feel that's wrong, and upon visiting JB's I picked up a rather tasty 2 CD pack titled Coma Divine by one of England's best psychedelic alternatives, Porcupine Tree.
   Relatively unheard of down here in Oz, Porcupine Tree can be summed up in a short amount of words. Pink Floyd of the 21st century.
   Their variety of instruments, additional synthesisers and sound effect's shows why Steven Wilson (Front man and heart + soul of the band) is a musical wizard.
   It shows in this album. Recorded live in Rome before a modest crowd, the band plays songs you can find on recent albums (Signify, On the Sunday of life...) as well as improvised instrumentals.
   This entire album is just one large psychedelic vacation taking you on a philosophical journey about technology and social consciousness. In one word this album - inspiring.



4. I already owned the single-disc version sold on the Delirium label, but I saw this in a record store and couldn't resist (along with the dual-disc 'Signify').
   
   Yes, its a digi-pak, but its still got the plastic snap-on base, glued onto a duo-fold cardboard frame. It includes more (and better) artwork than the old Delirium release (this two-disc set is a Snapper release).
   
   Anyone wowed by PinkFloyd's Ummagumma Live album should listen to this superb recreation of these classic PT cuts (wow, PT's been around long enough to have classics already). All performances are flawless. This is real headphone music, and its a great introduction to older PT material for those not already familiar with the band (though I am remiss that they didn't perform the song 'Sever' on this set).
   
   For those who already own the single-disc version, maybe you should hold off unless you want the dual disc as a collector's item. It might be worth it if you want to upgrade to a remastered copy. Otherwise, there is only an additional 25 minutes on this two-disc set compared to the 76 minute long single disc. Unless you're burning to hear the extra tracks live, the single disc is still a good album. I find the sonics of both the single-disc and the two-disc set to be about the same, which is to say, excellent.



5. This is a great album representing the early stages of Porcupine Tree's music. Flawless playing from the whole band, especially some excellent drumming. Like the first reviewer, I haven't heard the original recording so I can't comment on the remastering. Although I will say that the sound quality is crystal clear and very full, so unless the original was already excellent this must be a great remastering job. I'm not sure which tracks are bonus tracks and I can't be bothered to look it up, but both discs are great beginning to end.
   
   Many people seem to have been introduced to PT through In Absentia, myself included. Although In Absentia is a great album, I do not agree with the previous reviewer who says that this is early work and cannot compare. It's true that this album cannot compare ONLY because these songs are a completely different style of music, and because this is a live recording and In Absentia (obviously) is not. But as far as quality, I really can't say that this material is any less great than In Absentia. In Absentia is more conventional in the sense that the songs are mostly average length and structured while many of the songs on here have longer periods of seemingly free form jamming and instrumentation. Assuming that you like this style of music just as much as the style on In Absentia (which I do), I don't think you will find this to be any less enjoyable than that album.
   
   Overall a great live recording and a pretty good place to start for those introducing themselves to the early PT material.

5 comments about Backstage and Dangerous: The Private Rehearsal.

1. You hear the REAL Doors. A little rough. Perhaps, not for everyone; a "must' for dedicated Doors fans. Price was good, as was shipping and handling. Hope there are more of the live concerts coming. A+



2. This cd was created for the diehard Doors fan, if you are causal Doors fan or wanting to hear the Doors at their peak as a live act, you are better off with Live In Detroit or any of the other Bright Midnight releases. This is actually as the title of the cd suggests, a private Rehearsal from the most enduring band from the 60's, this cd is not bad if you listen to it in the spirit it was released, it neither adds nor detracts from Jim Morrison's legend but it is weakest of the Bright Midnight releases and would recommend this cd only if are a completeist or a die hard Doors fans that has a desire to own everything that has been released offically, which is why I own it.



3. this set list was pretty good u can hear the doors practice and rehears there songs if u are a fan of the doors this is reallly good to have



4. This 2-disc live performance is nothing more than the Doors during a rehearsal for the Aquarius Theatre (Hollywood, 1969). Without a doubt, this release is strictly FOR DIEHARD FANS ONLY. Having said that, the Doors put forth an electric performance of "Gloria" on Disc One. This version is one of the BEST ever recorded by the band! It completely smokes other live versions released in the past! You also get the benefit of some beautifully improvised vulgarities, which add to this version's jacked-up mojo!!
   
   In addition, "I Will Never Be Untrue" is a live tune that never appeared on a studio release - it is a slow, bluesy number that is well-suited to Morrison's voice. "Build Me A Woman," another non-studio song, is, once again, pumped up with even more vulgarities - it has the feel of a band having fun while rehearsing, which is precisely the terrain this live release covers. It is NOT for the casual fan...Take it for what it is...



5. I am not sure if the previous reviewer was looking for a greatest hits type cd. This live session is for REAL fans only. They don't play a single hit. It was recorded the day after the other two Aquarius shows (with no audience). The band sounds loose and is in a good mood. It is Jim that definitely does not want to be there. He really just says what he feels and sticks it to the record company that is paying for this session (there is a track called "there are 1000's of dollars riding on this day"). It is very funny and I just love it. Again, they don't play any of their hits... so if that is what you are looking for look elsewhere. If you are a die-hard fan looking for a unique recording of one of your favorite bands, buy this cd. Very good sound quality as well.

5 comments about Acoustica.

1. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY PRODUCT AND IT HAS BEEN A MONTH - I AM A VERY UNHAPPY CUSTOMER!!!!!!



2. This is an outstanding CD! Wished I'd orderded the DVD to have the visual of this amazing performance.



3. This is a must have album for any Scorpions fan. It includes a couple of their lesser known gems along with some excellent covers! Klaus Meine has never sounded better.



4. this cd is of great quality as to be expected by the scorpions. the acoustic versions of their classic songs are all too brilliant.i will say though that i didnt like the versions of always somewhere and still loving you,much preferring the originals.my last word will be to say that the cover songs are of great standard,dust in the wind,especially.just make a point of listening to the version of queens love of my life and the cars drive,how fantastic.....baz



5. This album is absolutely fantastic. Choice of songs and the performance - out of this world!