4 comments about Reunion.

1. The Hollies were and are one of my favourite groups. Allan Clarke's voice, the trademark of the group, really is still there. I don't usually care for live albums, but this is a delight and made wish I had been there for the recording. Yeah, some of the songs are not duplicates of the 1960s songs, but you get the idea they were just having fun. I am sure the fans felt the same way. Hey, times has passed. While they do not duplicate their early works to the letter, they are good to hear them doing them, loving them for giving us one more go around on the carousel!
   
   Especially great is to hear Alan chiming in on the CS&N "Teach Your Children" I just wish the album had more and more of their hits.
   
   Thanks for one more trip down memory lane.



2. I wish there were half stars for the review because I would give it 2 1/2 stars. Read the other reviews here for details about the origins of this concert CD. Although this concert was technicaly very well recorded the actual performance was just "OK". There are moments when the vocals are perfect and some when they are very shakey. The use of the keyboards in place of guitars is a bit disappointing especially on the intro to "Bus Stop". This CD is historical since you get to hear Graham Nash sing on songs that were recorded after he left the band like "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" and "The Air That I Breathe". It also gives you a chance to hear songs Graham might have brought into the band as they run through "Wasted On The Way" and "Teach Your Children". In the liner notes Graham mentions that though he enjoyed being out with his old friends, the tour also reminded him why he left the band in the first place. The Hollies were a great band but on this paticular day they sound a little tired. The bottom line is there is no energy to these performances.



3. This brief reunion of 4/5 of the Graham Nash-led 1960s Hollies lineup resulted in a U.S. #29 hit, "Stop in the Name of Love", that recaptured some of the old Hollies magic, and an album, "What Goes Around", that mostly didn't, due to a preponderance of weak material and a then-trendy synthesizer-heavy sound. The tour that followed echoes the comeback effort of the fictitious band in the film "This Is Spinal Tap"; gigs were cancelled or replaced with ones at lesser venues, such as this concert at Kings Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Musically, once dynamic guitar-driven tunes such as "Look Through Any Window" and "I Can't Let Go" sound rather limp and cheesy with the over-reliance on keyboards. The best moments here, therefore, include an acoustic version of "King Midas in Reverse" and a pair of CSN tunes, proof of The Hollies' superior vocal harmonies. While it is good to hear Nash sing his solo vocal bit in the ever-charming "Carrie-Anne", one misses his opening lead vocal on "On A Carousel"; here it is sung by Allan Clarke. Of the new material, the two best songs, "If The Lights Go Out" and "Take My Love and Run" are sorely missing; the former was played at this show, but is absent from this CD for reasons unknown, and the latter wasn't in the set list at all. Instead, we get two others; the mediocre "Someone Else's Eyes", which actually made the Billboard AOR chart, even though it was the B-side to the downright bad "Casualty", with its synth riff sounding too similar to Laura Branigan's "Gloria" for comfort. The nostalgia-fueled show ends with an extended version of The Hollies' biggest & best U.S. hit, "Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress)", featuring Tony Hicks delightfully working in some "Shakin' All Over" licks.
   For a band that always has claimed to be at its best on stage, it is tragic and ultimately damaging to The Hollies' reputation that the only live concerts commercially available are this one and the 1976 New Zealand show, neither of which were recorded during the band's peak years. Hollies fans can only hope that the live concert vault door will open wider one of these days.



4. This re-release is, essentially, the same album as "Archive Alive" released several years ago, but with additional tracks from the "What Goes Around" album that appeared on the bootleg version called "Hello Graham Nash" - "Casualty" and "Someone Else's Eyes." Archive Alive received criticism for not including these tracks. In addition to the inclusion of these two tracks, which are wonderful, there is more banter and conversation between tracks on this CD. The liner notes are the same as the "Archive Alive" release, but with different photos, some from the same shooting that resulted in the cover shot for the "What Goes Around" studio album. It's wonderful to hear Graham's harmonies on tracks that recorded after he left, such as "He Ain't Heavy" and "The Air that I Breathe" and to wonder how the studio versions might have differed had he stayed with the group, and to hear the Hollies do some of his CSN material. I bought my first Hollies record in 1965 ("I'm Alive") and who would have thought that I would still be buying their music 34 years later!! All in all, a great performance with Graham Nash during their short Fall 1983 US tour.

5 comments about Chicago XXVI -- The Live Album.

1. First of all, to all of you critics who only accept a band's original studio recordings, this IS live and this IS Chicago in 1999! You WILL hear different voices.
   
   What you will also hear is great and new harmony. You will hear new life to some of the most classic rock hits of what could have been an era gone by. You will hear a 13:29-minute-long melodic and creative blending of Make Me Smile / So Much To Say / Anxiety's Moment / West Virginia Fantasies / Colour My World / To Be Free / Now More Than Ever. You will hear guitar rifts with more of an edge than the original studio versions. You will hear clear and impressive horns. You will hear some of the most crisp guitar and vocals of any live cd. None of that "over there somewhere" sound as on so many live cds these days.
   
   And hey, what other Chicago live cd/album has Feelin' Stronger Every Day? Just You 'N' Me turns into a cool jazzy piece (with flute) that sounds much like Traffic. And for a special treat, you'll get Michael MacDonald (of Doobie Brothers fame) singing Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher.
   
   Here is the track list and song lengths:
   the blend (see above) 13:29
   I've Been Searchin' So Long 4:39
   Mongonucliosis 3:39
   Hard Habit To Break 5:16
   Call On Me 4:33
   Feelin' Stronger Every Day 4:24
   Just You 'N' Me 6:17
   Beginnings 6:17
   Hard To Say I'm Sorry / Get Away 5:38
   25 Or 6 To 4 5:53
   Back To You 3:41
   If I Should Ever Lose You 4:30
   Your Love Keeps Lifting Me 4:10
   
   How many other bands who started in the late 60s, endured with new hits into the 80s? How many bands survived the loss of their most recognizable singer?
   
   I have the often-repackaged 8-song live Chicago cd, and the 4-cd Carnegie Hall set, and the top-drawer Live In Japan (I paid $90 for it, and it is worth it). Chicago XXVI doesn't replace those last two productions, but it is definitely worth having for your listening pleasures!
   
   Chicago has brought their road show my way for several years, most recently with Earth, Wind & Fire. Wow, what a show! 3 1/2 hours of energy, as if these guys were still in their 20s! This summer they tour with America.
   
   My opinion is not that they have too many live cds. They need to release a very new one, with the energy that they rocked us with on '04, '05, and '06. Give us a track list stuffed with just the best stuff, including those mesmerizing long live renditions. My next $90 is ready!



2. I love this CD. I don't know about the studio tricks, though. I don't doubt that some in-studio editing happened on this, but when I saw them live at DTE Energy Theatre a few years back, they did not sound much different than this.
   
   Sorry folks - I love and miss Terry, Peter, and Danny (is that the three of them parachuting out of the plane in the cover picture? Maybe it is the three wind players? I know - I'm reaching!) - - - but, this present line-up is the best ever. None of the Original Seven can ever be replaced, but today's Chicago is made up of members that want to be in Chicago, that care about the legacy of Chicago but who also want to keep the sound relevant and current.
   
   In my Night and Day review, I state that the present era of Chicago began then. This is the era where they finally get it together after several personnal shake-ups. It represents the culmination of a search that began with CTA, and never really was completed, which is - What Is Chicago? I really feel like they have it altogether now. Sadly, the industry doesn't seem to care, but no matter . . .
   
   This era of Chicago will last until the industry and fan base does rediscover Chicago, as they did Tony Bennett a decade ago. Chicago will be "cool" again, before the remaining original members all retire (and I have hopes that Chicago as a band and concept will outlast any one member). But I predict another revival for Chicago within ten years.
   
   Buy this CD, listen and enjoy it. I disagree with Robert Lamm: This IS Chicago.
   
   Meanwhile - I look forward to seeing them one week from today, again at DTE!



3. This may sound crazy, but I think it's worth the price of the Cd just for the new studio cut "Back to You", which to me is one of my favorite Chicago songs. I also love the studio cut "If I Should Lose You."
   
   As a whole, I think the live album's pretty good. It captures the band's current lineup in concert, which is cool. But, nothing compares to a real Chicago concert, live and in person.
   
   I disagree with those who say the band can no longer play well live. To me, Chicago continues to be INCREDIBLE live. Few (if any) are the bands who could even be compared. They are one of the best concert bands, period.
   
   The only negative thing I could say about a Chicago concert nowadays is Keith's lead vocals. I think Keith is a great guitar player, and, yes, a decent singer. But it is wrong to let him sing multiple tracks live. He is no Jason, Bill, Robert, or Peter. He could be given maybe ONE song to sing. But to let him sing multiple songs that are classic hits- this is insane. No disrespect to Keith, but... let Jason, Bill, and Robert handle the leads.



4. I bought this right after I attended the concert at the Taste of Chicago 1999. I agreed with most of the selections made for the album (I might have even dropped one of the studio tracks for another live track). In my opinion, the best tracks are Mongonucleosis (a jam mixed with a little salsa -- it knocked the crowd out), Beginnings (it may never have sounded better), the Ballet, and 25 or 6 to 4 (Keith just knocked the crowd out with a killer guitar, with a horn riff going on behind him near the end of his solo). The studio tracks were OK, though I might have dropped either of the last 2 for another live track (I'm a Man flat out rocked in Chicago -- I would have included that). Since the tour with EWF appears to have helped sweep this one off the racks, I sure am glad I bought this early!



5. The last 2 years have seen Chicago team up with Earth Wind and Fire for one of the most unforgettable tours in recent memory. The DVD, "Live From The Greek Theatre" is an amazing snapshot of what both these bands represent, and what they can still accomplish live. A few years ago, Chicago released a mostly live CD of perfectly executed songs from a cataloque as deep as any band's.
   
   The album, Chicago 26, live, is now a hard to find CD. It contains some new studio recordings as well. If you enjoy the audio from the new EWF/Chicago DVD, this CD is the best legal way of owning a part of the show. In fact, this disc goes far in that you get an entire suite from Chicago II, "Ballet For A Girl In Buchanon", which was not in the EWF show. This is great for FM radio buffs, and for deep cut Chicago fans. The band plays their live stuff like most bands do studio.
   
   Jason Scheff continues to improve, and does a rousing "Call On Me" with Lee, Jimmy and Walter pushing the horn section with clarity and precision. Scheff is argued back and forth as the wrong replacement for Cetera, who took leave of his own free will. Scheff can also play smooth fluid and even funky bass guitar. Cetera was a strong bass player, but Scheff exemplifies the musicianship that Chicago has pioneered since 1967.
   
   "Hard Habit To Break" is a hard song to pull off minus Cetera. Bill Champlin is such a strong vocalist, he ends up taking Scheff along for the duration of the song which allows the listener to not worry about Cetera's absense. "Mongonucleousis" is a jam included in the EWF concert and originally is found on Chicago VII. The fact that this instrumental is here, shows the band's dedication to their loyal following. Plus, it's a kickin' song.
   
   "Feelin' Stronger" and "I've Been Searchin'" are well executed with Scheff feeling more at home then when he joined in 1986. The horns again are killer with Lee Lougnane pulling some huge notes down. Scheff may be most at home with "Just You N' Me", where his Cetera at age 19 sounding tenor fits this older gem with more dexterity than an aged Peter Cetera might do. Robert Lamm may have picked Jerry Scheff's son (former Elvis bass player) for this very reason-to have Chicago sound like Chicago for years to come.
   
   "Beginnings" is the only Lamm tune to find it's way on this collection and is every bit as impressive as their Carnagie Hall version which nearly fills an album side. This version is far more polished and shows more intelligent improvisation. "Hard To Say I'm Sorry/Get Away" is a great meld between Scheff and Champlin. This track features Champlin's harmony vocal originally, as well as Bill's soulful "Get Away" reprise. The horn jam at the end is totally fat and intense.
   
   "25 or 6 to 4" showcases the youthful guitar playing of Keith Howland who could be Chicago's best guitarist since the late Terry Kath. Howland is fluid, and he does some jazz fusion and classic rock style jamming. He doesn't over embellish or steal the show. Yet his presence is felt throughout.
   
   The last 3 tracks are new studio tunes that are the band's best new material since 1988, (except "Hear In My Heart from 1997). Scheff shines on "Back To You", a stripped down love song that showcases a less produced Chicago-but a more satisfying sound overall. The same kind of production is found on "If I Should Ever Lose You". The odd ball song on this disc, and soon to be a collector's item is the great Jackie Wilson tune, "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher", featuring former Doobie Michael McDonald on lead vocal backed by a funked up Chicago. A wierd combination that bears fruit and shows how diverse and humble this band is.
   
   All and all a very satisfying work. What is strange is how unavailable this CD is. With Chicago on tour with EWF, the band should re-release this gem as it's a great sample of the DVD and makes a great post concert souveneir. If you can find this disc, and you love Chicago, buy it!

5 comments about Live.

1. THIS IS A FANTACTIC LIVE ALBUM !!!! A MUST HAVE FOR ALL ROXY FANS AND A
   GREAT INTRODUCTION FOR NEW FANS. I'VE BEEN A ROXY FAN SINCE 1973 AND HAVE
   MANY OF THE ORIGINAL VINYL ALBUMS. THIS ALBUM JUST "BLOWS ME AWAY" !!!!
   BEST CUT...EXTENDED VERSION OF "SONG FOR EUROPE". TRUST ME YOU'LL LOVE
   THIS LIVE SET !!!!



2. The best thing about this cd is that I am on three of the songs!!!
   A Song For Europe, Love Is The Drug and Editions Of You.
   You can hear me. I am the one clapping and cheering.



3. Roxy's comeback was a triumph - even given the lack of new material, given the great musicianship, the energy to put on a fantastical show, and the cool vibes all around. This disc is from the same tour of the DVD, but the songs are not taken from the same performances and there are songs not on the DVD. A must have for Roxy fans and amongst the very best live albums ever made.



4. Roxy Music confirm that they are an excellent live band. For long-time fans who know that a new studio album is not likely, this is the next best thing.

   The sound quality is not as flawless as it could have been, hence one star removed.

   Could they have made this a three-CD set? Given their calatogue of great material, yes. I'm not sure, though, if they performed more than these songs on the tour.




5. The music of Roxy Music can be separated to 2 eras: the first 5 studio albums (1972-75) that brought us something fresh, new and interesting, and the music from the 80's that is more Brian Ferry solo - shmaltz, elevator music, just choose for yourselves. Lets call it "The Avalon era". In between there was a bad album from 1979 by the name of "Manifesto".
   Last live album of the band, that was also the band's last one, "Heart still beating", from the 80's, took many fans to cardiologists, cause it was so B-A-D (kids, don't try it at home!). So I had many reasons not to expect much. But After reading that most of the material is taken from the 70's, I decided to give it a chance.
   So... "Live" is not "Heart still beating", and also better than a few live albums from the Manifesto tour ("Concerto", "Live concerts"). But it's inferior to the old live album of the band, "Viva!", and to "Valentine" and "Vintage", 2 live albums of the early band, (that were released only lately) that include video clips (with Eno, Eddy Jobson, John Wetton and so). "Live" sounds too syntetic for more than once, by trying to bring us the original studio sound like in Re Make/Re Model, Out of the blue and others (ah, they brought us the motorcycle from "Virginia", but forgot the car from "Love is the drug"!). It's hard to understand it, because during the 70's, the band changed, improvised and improved the studio versions of many songs."Chance meeting" that was mixed together with "Both ends burning" in "Viva!" is a good example. Last part and the most dramatic one, in "If there is something" was done in "Viva!" much better than in the original first album. "Street life" (listen to Jobson's great violin solo!) and "Virginia" were done great in "Vintage" and "Valentine"; "Do the Strand" best version is in "Concerto". Jobson, in his time did not try to copy Eno, and brought us a new sound that for more than once was better than Eno's.
   So why did they try to copy the old solos now?
   Also I'm not satisfied with the sound. Roxy is a band of great individuals, but, sometimes they're lost here among the good technicians (on stage and in studio), that joined the band for the tour. After listening to the BBC 2 broadcasting of the show from Glasgow, I suspect that many mixes, too many, were done in the studio. But don't get me wrong. the album is a good one and if you are Roxy's fan, you'll love it,despite of its weaknesses.

5 comments about Live Bullet.

1. I was at the second (and original) night of this concert. Bob had been on tour opening for BTO and said he owed Detroit a party for supporting him over the years. Tickets were only $4.50 for main floor seating. My girlfriend and I ended up against the stage.
   
   This was the best concert I've been to other than the Goose Lake Festival. The energy was just incredible. The band was perfect. If there was ever a dictionary definition of a live concert this was it. The only thing better was the times I saw Seger at the Birmingham Hideout.



2. This was what I grew up with. Seger was amazing. It was in the time of of rock at it's best. Lynard Sknyrd (spelling), 38 special, Jeff Beck, back when there was just rock, Allman Bro's, list goes on..........



3. If I had a nickel for each time I played this album front to back, I'd be a rich man. I've got a lot of music, of every genre, but this never leaves my cd player. When I want to rock, I mean really rock, this is what I play. It is amazing how few people know about this album and how good it is. Bob has a new album coming out in August. Early reviews are it is vintage Seger. I finally saw him live in 1996, after waiting almost 20 years to see him. What a show. Rumor is he may tour on limited schedule. Hope I can hook up.



4. First off let me say that I LOVE this recording! For 28 years I have just dug this thing to death ... its real rock and roll ... but I have to agree with "doublehighc" (below) that there is something strange about this remastering. Yes, it is clearer, but there is an odd sometimes unsettling quality to it that pops up now and then.
   
   Note this particular version (one of those mini LP things ... no plastic case) came out October 5, 1999 and that there was another remaster of Live Bullet released on December 7, 1999. Perhaps that was a correction? There are no negative comments concerning remastering under the 12-7 release?
   
   Regardless, I highly recommend this album ... even with the mastering quirk this thing kick booty!



5. Imagine getting off work, jump in the Road Runner with your buds (both figurative and literal) Southbound I-75 to Cobo...
   You've got to push it cause you worked till 6:00!

   Park and walk toward Cobo, the crowd growing larger and larger with every step you take. You pass thru the ticket gate and enter the smoke-drenched outer arena. Stand in line for beer, walk around scoping out the babes.

   The crowd begins filing into the inner arena...
   the lights go out, see the shadows moving into place up on the stage, the band tunes up, the spotlight on the emcee introducing the band, stage lights come on...everyone is in place.
   You are you are about to witness a performance that will DEFINE the term "concert experience" for decades to come!
   The opening guitar chords, the percussion and bass line kicks in... the arena came alive...it was breathing, pulsating, crushing

   Close your eyes and listen to the opening ~15 seconds of Nutbush City Limits and you will be transported back in time.

5 comments about Moody Blues: Lovely to See You: Live from the Greek.

1. Version: U.S.A
   Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
   MPEG-4 AVC BD-50 / High Profile 4.1 / 1080i / 29.970fps
   Running time: 1:45:53
   Movie size: 24,58 GB
   Disc size: 32,28 GB
   Average video bit rate: 20.99 Mbps
   
   DTS-HD Master Audio English 5328 kbps 5.1 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 5328kbps (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 1536kbps)
   Dolby Digital Audio English 640 kbps 5.1 / 48kHz / 640kbps
   LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 2304kbps
   
   Number of chapters: 21
   Subtitles: None
   
   #Band Interview (SD - 18 minutes)



2. This is the kind of filming made by amateurs or people who do not know anything about music. The Moody Blues (without founding members Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas) perform all their great songs in a 2005 show. The problem is elsewhere: without any purpose, the camera is moving almost all the time and can not concentrate on a single thing. The editing is excessive as well: each shot last just about five seconds (see for instance the intro for "Isn't life strange?", with about ten shots from various angles only for the opening flute solo). It is impossible to concentrate on a singer or a chord progression. I can not imagine a worst scenario for such a good performance spoiled by too much technique and useless visual effects. Undoubtly a very good performance by the Moodies; but a very bad filming creates a mess.



3. This is a great blu ray disc!!! Like having your very own Moodies concert in you own living room, It's just like being there at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles!!!a great 20 song concert,with a nice interview with the boys in the band as a bonus!!! Much cheaper than even one convert ticket!!! Very recommended!!! A+



4. 
   This is one Great Blu-ray Concert Video!!!
   I love The Moody Blues. So if you own a Blu-Ray player
   you should buy it today.



5. The last time I saw the Moody Blues in concert was 1986. While they are older, they still can rock with the best of them. This Blu-Ray is one for every fan to own. In 1986 they still had Ray Thomas playing the flute, but he retired from the band and is now replaced by Norda Mullen who does an excellent job.
   
   The song selection is great, "Lovely to See You", "Tuesday Afternoon","Lean on Me", "The Voice","I know you're out there somewhere", "Isn't Life Strange", "Ride my See Saw", "Question", "The Story In Your Eyes", "I'm Just A Singer", "Steppin' In A Slide Zone", "Talking Out Of Turn", "Higher and Higher", "The Actor", "Nights In White Satin" and a few other lesser known songs. There are twenty songs in all.
   
   The sound is just great, and the Blu-Ray has PCM, Dolby 5.1 and DTS-HD 5.1 encodings on it. The video is 1080i wide-screen 1.78:1. The video of the band moves from member to member throughout the songs, with multiple angles throughout the whole presentation. The only disappointment is an overall lack of extras on the disk. The only thing there is a feature on the remaining three members.

5 comments about Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars.

1. "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture Soundtrack" is a recording of the final live performance by David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' era band. Bowie had fully embraced the glam sound and his live performances carried an unnervingly high level of energy, and with a group more than capable of matching his intensity featuring guitarist Mick Ronson, this performance captured is enormously powerful.
   
   Before I note anything else, it's important to mention that the sonic improvement of this reissue over all the other ones is staggering-- this has always been a great show that was not great to listen to, but through some arcane wizardry, it's been restored to really pristine sound-- it could have been recorded last month instead of over 30 years ago.
   
   The music itself is about intensity and energy-- from the opening strains of a fierce and explosive "Watch that Man" to the closing "Rock n Roll Suicide". Along the way, Bowie manages distorted hard rock energy ("Ziggy Stardust", taken up in volume from the studio recording), sensitive and moody ("My Death"), and excitable ("Suffragette City") and a blazing take on "The Width of a Circle" with a seemingly endless bout of pyrotechnics from Ronson. This is an artist and a band in full flight, and it is an invaluable recording.
   
   I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in Bowie's glam era, even if you've the previous issue of this recording. The sonic improvements are worth the cost alone. Highly recommended.



2. Great CD
   
   Possibly one of the best Live recordings ever.
   
   Both discs are fantastic.
   
   Worth the money



3. Unfortunately, Tony Visconti had very little to work with when remixing this album. In particular, the ever-impressive piano parts sound muffled, as if only a faraway microphone covered by a pillow was picking up the sound. The liner notes explain the sound problems to an extent, but it still seems like a crime that this historic concert was recorded so badly.
   
   Despite the technical problems, this album has many highlights, including a veeeeeery long Width of a Circle and the most moving rendition I've heard of My Death.
   
   If you don't mind some DIY rough edges, you will find plenty to enjoy in the manic playing of the Spiders From Mars, and, of course, Bowie retiring Ziggy onstage is of no small significance.



4. If you are putting off buying this because you have heard previous versions (on vinyl or CD), wait no longer. This release features incredible sound in comparison to earlier versions. Thanks to Tony Visconti for cleaning things up so nicely.

   This disc is worth having for The wild-Eyed Boy From Freecloud/All the Young Dudes Medley alone.

   A must for any Bowie fan! Only the continued absence of The Jean Genie featuring Jeff Beck keeps this from being a perfect Five.




5. This new mix of Bowie's legendary "farewell" concert in 1973 is in every way an improvement on the Rykodisc release. I originally owned the album on a two-record vinyl LP set, and for the first time, it sounds like a concert rather than a live recording. The balance between the ambient noise of the crowd and the performance is much more realistic, the bass and piano have more punch, the guitar is jackhammer solid, and Bowie's vocals sound better than ever.

   In contrast to previous audio releases on vinyl and CD, this contains the soundtrack as presented in the film. The original 2-disc vinyl release, and subsequent CD reissues, not only have a mix that's markedly different from what you hear in the movie, but some of the performances are different. For example:

   In the older issues, on "Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud" Bowie hits a spectacular high note on the last word ("free") and holds it for several seconds as the band segues into "All the Young Dudes". It's a spine tingling moment, one of the high points of the recording... but it's not here --- and it's not in the movie. Bowie sings an ordinary low note at the transition.

   I saw the movie in a theater and again on VHS and laserdisc, and recently watched the new DVD release. I'd forgotten how strong these differences were! Some of them can be attributed to the difference in the mix, but others must have been taken from a previous performance.

   This new mix is a dramatic improvement in every way; but I'm going to hang on to my old Ryko CD; I miss that high note. It
   really makes a difference!

5 comments about Dick's Picks, Vol. 6: Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT, 10/14/83.

1. If you want to hear just how bad the Grateful Dead could Suck - the first track of this set is a great place to start. It takes two full (and totally flubbed) verses for Garcia to even start sounding coherent. However - once Garcia becomes concious, they start really cooking! (It's an amazing study in contrast.) If you're totally zoned out the 2nd set to this is a good way to go wandering, but overall it's blustery and never really gets going. If you're a fan of "Ragged, but Right" Grateful Dead Music - then this is your show! Steve Urbauer Stephen Urbauer



2. This is probably the weakest release of the series, but, in true GD fashion, still worth getting. Disc 2 is where its all at; with an hour of utterly spellbinding music. The first set is more or less a trainwreck, showcasing the worst Dead vocals I think I've ever heard, although the playing could be nice at times. But the second set is a different story, with a Scarlet>Fire>Estimated>Eyes sequence that will knock you silly...post-drums is solid...but you seriously need to hear that second disc.



3. If a newbie wanted to discover the Grateful Dead, Volume 6 is NOT the way to get started IMO. Sure, there are some musical highlights that might make some diehards take notice (most of disc 2 & "Althea" from disc 1 in particular), but honestly there's not much here to win over a first-timer or casual fan. The performance isn't bad per se, but the sound mix is inconsistent & some songs sounded like they were due for a break from the setlist.
   
   Perhaps one day this volume of Dick's Picks will find your way into your home when all is said & done....but until then, I'd recommend something along the lines of Volume 10, or possibly Vol. 15 or 18....



4. Very nice archive live recording of a gig the band played at the Hartford Civic Center.It was assembled by tape archivist Dick Latvala.I've never really been THAT big of a Dead fan,but I've always enjoyed Jerry Garcia's(R.I.P.) guitar playing.The tunes I liked the best on this 3-CD release are "Althea","Fire On The Mountain",and the rocking "The Other One".The lengthy tracks "Eyes Of The World" and "Scarlet Begonias" are very well played as is Mickey Hart's drum solo at the start of disc three.Other notable cuts are "Alabama Getaway","C.C.Rider","Keep your Day Job" and the encore "U.S.Blues".The original 'jam band' is hard at work as one can truly experience here.Would make a swell gift for any Deadhead that doesn't already own a copy.



5. I bought this for the Scarlet>Fire and that's all that I found of value. Disc 1 is lazy and sloppy and Disc 3 isn't much better. Disc 2 is outstanding, but everything else can be found elsewhere and in better versions. I wouldn't buy it again.

5 comments about Live! Fillmore West 1969.

1. This is the first Country Joe and the Fish album I ever heard. Before this, I only knew a couple songs from the band and I really had no idea they could totally jam away the way they do here. While I think the sound of the album overall is pretty weak, we DO have to understand this music was recorded in 1969. Still, a remastering job wouldn't hurt. Something to fix up the muddy sound.
   
   The first song is called "Introduction/Rock and Soul Music/Love" and is quite a great way to open a live set. The first two minutes feature guitar jamming. It shows what you can expect. Then lyrics about rainbows come in next. The song switches gears after this and seemingly turns into Steppenwolf. If that's not the lead singer of Steppenwolf during the vocal melody, he has a copycat. Then comes a brief keyboard jam along with some pretty good drumming behind the vocal melody.
   
   "Here I Go Again" isn't related to the Whitesnake song, haha. Supposedly a religious song, the vocal melody is absolutely gorgeous. It sounds like an old-fashioned country love song. It's a really beautiful melody. It sounds like it was designed for people to slow dance to it. Nice piano playing too.
   
   "It's So Nice to Have Your Love" is next. The vocals sound like Al Stewart, almost exactly. That's cool with me. Love the atmospheric piano solo. The vocal melody is brilliantly emotional. The guitar solos are quite powerful as well, filled with so much emotion. I had no idea Country Joe and the Fish was able to give the listener so many pleasant feelings.
   
   The first eight minutes of "Flying High" is nothing but an extended guitar jam. It reminds me of something from the Quicksilver Messenger Service album "Happy Trails". VERY good stuff. Also reminds me of the Allman Brothers a little bit. A bluesy vocal melody and heavy bass guitar finish up the song. A very melodic song overall.
   
   "Doctor of Electricity" is next. Man, what a cool song title! An adventurous and mysterious keyboard bit opens up the song. Wow, pretty cool. Too bad it only lasts roughly 75 seconds. A guitar jam soon follows after a short vocal melody. Those cool keyboards make another appearance. They stick around for the rest of the 9-minute song, and some more guitar work comes along for the ride.
   
   "Donovan's Reef Jam" is the ultimate live jam. I mean, REALLY incredible stuff. An energetically fantastic guitar jam opens up this 38-minute monster before a jazzy vocal melody comes in. That lasts for a few minutes. The jam maintains a jazzy feel through some excellent guitar work and the cool rhythm section. Here comes some harmonica 8 minutes in. Good stuff. A brief vocal melody returns 12 minutes in. After the vocals are over, the song turns into a bluesy jam for a while. Some harmonica playing returns, along with more of those ultra-cool keyboards. I love the sound of the keyboards these guys have. All these instruments are taking place while still jamming of course (quite heavily, might I add!)
   
   The jam seems to slow down temporarily around the 21-minute mark. By this point, the guitar is dominating, and continues to do so for the next several minutes. The jam slows down drastically around the 27-minute mark. Near the 30-minute mark, the jam becomes incredibly gorgeous and melodic. The guitar playing is suddenly beyond belief along with the keyboards. A very emotional piece of writing there. I love the rest of the song. Then it's finally over. Whoa, what an exhausting listen! But keep with it and you'll be rewarded.
   
   While Country Joe and the Fish aren't remembered today as much as they should be, you can buy this album and own one heck of a great live jamming performance. You won't regret it.



2. Cool 60's music. It's a little far out and that's the way I like it.The song selection could have been a little better but it's still cool. The best band from that time was Airplane. They were the coolest little hippie band of the 60's ever!



3. The dead arent that good....I like them I own their first 10 cds or so (the arista stuff sucked) and I trade live shows so I know the jams and what not....but the dead just dont have the energy that CJ and the fish had. But it sickens me to think people buy this just for Jerry.....Country Joe rules and his folkie-voice does too. haha...Um the best fish is non-studio live stuff, sorry amazon,(Country Joe allows trading similar to the dead) but If you know any live show traders get their woodstock set or anything, but woodstock was absolutely on fire, then you doubters will understand the mighty Fish. Seriously Folks, they were massively underrated and nearly forgotten by the mainstream except fixin to die rag which has almost become a gimick......hmmm. Theres more out there especially in the san fran 60s scene than just the dead...do some research lazy potheads. haha



4. Due to the presence of all the guest players on this vintage "farewell to the original lineup" CJ & Fish show, the music--especially on the closing "Donovan's Reef" jam--comes incredibly close to sounding like The Dead or The Airplane during one of their long improvisational flights. The Country Joe sound is still evident, although it had changed from the early days of "Electric Music" from the purer acid-rock of that time to add elements of soul/funk/boogie to the mix. There are some great moments here, but like almost all SF jam albums of the period there are are dull moments when the super-group of jammers are slightly off or feeling their way. Highlights include "It's So Nice To Have Your Love", the end of "Flying High", the climax of "Donovan's Reef" and Jack Casady's bass playing throughout. I've always liked Country Joe's voice, it has a humble quality and an appealing timbre. However, as good as this release is it would perhaps be even better to release their complete Monterey Pop performance, which captured them playing the best songs off of their first two albums.



5. This was a great band, individually and collectively. It's a shame that the relationships have not been maintained over the years. Ce la vie! The really great thing about this album is the jamming aspect. Always known for the lyrical and political aspects of their music, the Fish could jam it up like the best of them. Indeed Barry Melton in his new life still does. But what performances have we on this jewel of a disc. I suspect that many of the people who bought this album did so because of the appearance of Dead members Garcia and Hart or even Casady and Kaukkonen and good luck to them because they will have been exposed to some killer playing on the disc. Barry Melton is on top form throughout and plays his heart out. My only regret is that there is not more of these shows or other live Fish performances around. If anyone out there is listening...WE WANT MORE! A highly recommended alum which should grace the shelves of any afficionado of West Coast Music.

2 comments about Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture.

1. "Of all the shows on this tour, this particular show will remain with us the longest, because not only is it the last show of the tour, but it's the last show that we'll ever do. Thank you."---Ziggy Stardust, 3 July 1973.
   
   Available for years only as a bootleg, this digitally-remastered soundtrack to Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars - The Motion Picture captures the spectacle of a live performance by David Bowie as his alter-ego, Ziggy Stardust, in his farewell show at London's Hammersmith Odeon in 1973. The tour began in 1972, and featured the "Spiders from Mars:" Mick Ronson on guitar, Trevor Bolder on bass, and Mick Woodmansey on drums. A live album of the performance was originally abandoned due to poor audio quality. Bowie and producer Tony Visconti then remixed the recording in 1981 for a 1992 Rykodisc release, and Visconti remixed it again to improve the sound quality for this 2003 EMI release. Bowie's vocals and Ronson's guitar riffs are crisp and clear. (Unfortunately, due to a royalty dispute, the new recording omits "The Jean Genie/Love Me Do/Round and Round" encore with Jeff Beck.) The soundtrack features songs from both Ziggy Stardust and Spot, as well as a few earlier Bowie classics ("Changes," "All The Young Dudes," and "Space Oddity"). The complete setlist includes:
   
   Disc: 1
   1. Intro (incorporating Beethoven's Ninth Symphony) 1:06
   2. Hang On To Yourself 2:55
   3. Ziggy Stardust 3:19
   4. Watch That Man 4:14
   5. Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud 3:15
   6. All The Young Dudes 1:38
   7. Oh! You Pretty Things 1:46
   8. Moonage Daydream 6:25
   9. Changes 3:36
   10. Space Oddity 5:05
   11. My Death 7:23
   
   
   Disc: 2
   1. Intro (incorporating William Tell Overture) 1:02
   2. Cracked Actor 3:03
   3. Time 5:31
   4. The Width Of A Circle 15:45
   5. Let's Spend The Night Together 3:02
   6. Suffragette City 4:32
   7. White Light/White Heat 4:01
   8. Farewell Speech 0:39
   9. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide 5:19
   
   G. Merritt



2. "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture Soundtrack" is a recording of the final live performance by David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' era band. Bowie had fully embraced the glam sound and his live performances carried an unnervingly high level of energy, and with a group more than capable of matching his intensity featuring guitarist Mick Ronson, this performance captured is enormously powerful.
   
   Before I note anything else, it's important to mention that the sonic improvement of this reissue over all the other ones is staggering-- this has always been a great show that was not great to listen to, but through some arcane wizardry, it's been restored to really pristine sound-- it could have been recorded last month instead of over 30 years ago.
   
   The music itself is about intensity and energy-- from the opening strains of a fierce and explosive "Watch that Man" to the closing "Rock n Roll Suicide". Along the way, Bowie manages distorted hard rock energy ("Ziggy Stardust", taken up in volume from the studio recording), sensitive and moody ("My Death"), and excitable ("Suffragette City") and a blazing take on "The Width of a Circle" with a seemingly endless bout of pyrotechnics from Ronson. This is an artist and a band in full flight, and it is an invaluable recording.
   
   I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in Bowie's glam era, even if you've the previous issue of this recording. The sonic improvements are worth the cost alone. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Live in Stockholm 1970.

1. 1970...a transition period for rock 'n' roll, with the end of The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix along with the emergence of a new genre, hard rock/heavy metal. One of the most important bands in this new category is Deep Purple, and this live album shows Deep Purple at their most hardest and heaviest! This live recording was made while the band was on tour behind their latest album, 'In Rock'. While they were still two years away from reaching superstardom with 'Machine Head' and 'Made In Japan', this live album shows that Deep Purple MK II knew exactly what they were doing right from the beginning. Kicking off with an exciting, 11-minute version of "Speed King", the interplay between Blackmore, Lord, and Gillan is awesome and never boring. "Into The Fire" is up next, and while this was played frequently between 1970 and 1971, there are very few existing live recordings that have been officially released. This version of "Into The Fire" is as loud and as heavy as ever, a very good performance. Next up is a 19-minute version of "Child In Time", which may be even better then the 'Made In Japan' version, featuring some excellent soloing by Ritchie. "Wring That Neck" follows, it is almost a half hour in length of jamming and soloing by Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore. Deep Purple's version of "Paint It Black" opens the second disc, and gives Ian Paice (who plays phenomenally throughout the whole disc) a solo spot. "Mandrake Root" again gives Blackmore and Lord solo spots with the theme played during Blackmore's solo later being used as the solo spot on "Space Truckin'". The concert closes out with a blistering, 7-minute version of "Black Night", thus ending one of the greatest concerts ever recorded. So if your into Deep Purple and like live recordings, then this is definitely for you!



2. This is definitely one for collectors. Early classic line up before the hits came along. Buy it and have a great time.



3. First, let's make it clear that yes, this has been released before under the name "Scandinavian Nights." Yes, it's the same material. But this remastered release has much better sound quality and puts the tracks in their proper concert order. It also has extensive liner notes, pictures, ticket stubs, posters, etc.
   
   Now, the music itself. This recording is from the Deep Purple In Rock era. The concert is about two and a half hours total, which is ridiculous for seven songs. Four of the songs are based more on Ian Gillan's vocals (Speed King, Into the Fire, Child in Time, Black Night) and the other three (Paint It Black, Wring that Neck, Mandrake Root) are a lot of good instrumental jamming. Wring that Neck and Mandrake Root are half an hour EACH, and Child in Time is almost twenty minutes.
   
   The best word to describe this concert is INTENSE. Right from the first chord in the Speed King intro, you know you're in for a wild ride, and Deep Purple don't disappoint. Child in Time, Speed King, and Black Night are all longer, louder, and more energetic than the Made in Japan versions, and it's neat to see a live take of Into the Fire. Gillan does a lot more screaming than on MiJ, but he pulls it off very well. Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord tear it up the whole time.
   
   There are several differences between this and Made in Japan. First, and most obviously, this is pre-Machine Head and consequently doesn't have the hits from that album. If you want Smoke on the Water and the like, go get Made in Japan. Second, the tracks are a lot longer than any other live Purple recording. Only two songs (Into the Fire and Black Night, which is the encore) are under ten minutes. Third, this was before the tensions in the band appeared, and so everyone is looser, more energetic, and consequently we have a much more intense show.
   
   If you're new to Purple, get MiJ first. If you're a fan, you owe it to yourself to get this. It surpasses Made in Japan in some ways. Listen to it and you'll hear what I mean.



4. This is deep purple (mk2) in concert with the tapes rolling in Sweden late 1970 promoting the IN ROCK album. Just seven songs in about two and a half hours. Amazing stuff! This isn't jazz rock, but ROCK JAZZ, there's a big difference.
   
   This concert has been released before, but the sound quality isn't as good as the original release on the connoisseur label. There are so many great live tapes of Deep Purple out there (mainly unavailable on compact disc), but this one is still worth hearing.



5. this has been released in 1995 by Conoisseur as a double cd set "Scandinavian Nights live in Stockholm 1970". the cd signifies the same set like another one. if you bought another one pls keep away your fingers from this one. this is only a re-released from the older one.
   
   Jonas suisa