5 comments about Live.

1. In the space of a year and a half, the UFO franchise was launched with 2 studios and 1 live album. And it is remarkable that the band survived their early mediocrity to become legends of hard rock, albeit frequently unrecognized during their Schenker period heyday. The band was directionless at the dawn of the seventies and those early albums are very difficult to compare to their notable works with Michael Schenker or even the Paul Chapman period of 1979-1983. To say that early UFO sucked might be a bit harsh but even die hard fans would be loath to acknowledge `UFO 1', `Flying' and probably the direst of the trio `Live' released at first in Japan only sometime in 1972. It is hard to believe that a band of UFO's admittedly fledgling status had an audience so far away, but so says the band and UFO historians. `Live' is mercifully short but many of the songs are extended cuts taken from the debut with only "Prince Kajuku" from album 2. "Who Do You Love" was awful on the debut and it is excruciating on this live record. "Kajuku" is probably the best song because it doesn't force Mick Bolton to improvise as much, because he isn't very good. Again for the UFO completist only.



2. I might be weird but I think everything after this album from UFO sucks, I just love there first 3 albums. They have such a raw kinda Hawkwind sound but with more of a blues feel to it.



3. UFO, as a band, has gone through more changes than my underwear. I am a UFO fanatic, but recognize only the Michael Schenker era as the "real" UFO. This Live CD is one of three pre-Schenker CD's, and it is very amateurish. "Prince Kajuku/The Coming of Prince Kajuku" is the only attempt at anything complicated musically. "C'mon Everybody" is a decent rocker but a very basic "music 101" song. The rest of the songs barely even qualify as songs. The sound quality is good for this context. It is live and of old technology, but clean and bluesy. Mogg and the rest of the band blends well, but if I didn't know better, I'd never recognize this band as UFO. I have never had a guitar lesson, and I guarantee that I can play as well as Mick Bolton. If you are limited on dollars and want to experiment with UFO for the first time, buy any one of the first four Schenker era CD's. The man can play faster than you can think, and his melodies are unmatched. Long live Mikey!



4. Back about 100 years ago, I heard UFO for the first time. This was back in the early days of FM radio in the US, when the DJ's could play pretty much whatever they wanted. Anyway, the local FM station kept playing Rock Bottom and Doctor, Doctor. I purchased the album (Phenomenon) and loved every song on it. I went in search of other UFO albums, and the record store told me the one before Phenomenon was a live album. I bought it (this one)immediately and literally flew home to check it out. While my initial impression was not as good, over the next few days it began to really grow on me. A VERY energetic live performance, with excellent playing by all involved. Mogg's voice is superb and the three musicians shine. Many people seem to be unable to get past the Schenker-era, either pre or post. That's a shame, because UFO is a great band, with or without Schenker. The live album is the pinnacle of their pre-Schenker career, with the vastly underrated Flying also worth exploring. Check this one out for a young band blazing away on stage. Also noteworthy for being one of the first hard rock live albums to be recorded in Japan. As a bonus, the CD has live photos that weren't in my vinyl version.



5. For anyone thinking about buying this, you should know that it's not Michael Schenker on guitar, it's original guitarist Mick Bolton. That said, it's not quite as good as Phenomenon, but not that bad either. This is a band still trying to find their sound, doing mostly covers, and sticking to their roots. Mick Bolton's guitar playing is no match for Schenker's, but it's still pretty good. Includes covers of Eddie Cochran's "C'mon Everybody", Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love", and Paul Butterfield's "Loving Cup." "Follow You Home" is a huge ripoff of the Kinks, repeating the riff off of "You Really Got Me" a hundred times. Not bad performances, but the material is pretty simple in structure but played with plenty of energy. Recommended for those who are interested in the roots of the early British heavy metal acts.

1 comments about Live in Paris.

1. I can imagine the type of thoughts folks have when looking at this version of Live in Paris just released last week. "It doesn't have Wyatt on it"; Modern mixing destroys the authentic sound" and yada yada yada.

   What folks often forget (as I did in the beginning) is that along about 1972, just before and during the release of TSM 6, the band was softening their overtly brash sound and opting for a less harsh and abrasive sound. I believe this versions takes it one step further and cleans up some of the technilogical meanderings from the 1972 master tape recordings of this concert set and makes it presentable if a very positive way!

   The inclusion of John Marshall (The Bands prefered Drummer after Wyatt split), captures the band in a special moment in time. He is incredible!

   Commercially, things were in a flux for the band until the release of TSM seven. This captures the band as their are moving and gathering steam in the public eye (In europe anyway). They adjusted to personnel changes positively as it was an almost continuous event back in 1972. The recording is capturing a rare moment in the Soft Machine time capsule. This is a collectors piece and if you are not really familar with the band, it just might be better to start with their legacy album TSM3. Then come back and check out Noisette and THEN buy this record/CD. Great spin!

2 comments about Pulse.

1. This box set is a must have for any Pink Floyd fan. It's a bit pricey but you get your money's worth since it's a Japanese import with all the good trimmings to boot. High quality remastered version of a classic PF live concert (it goes well with "Delicate Sound Of Thunder"). They're better off being a trio. Live with it, people! Enough of the rantings! If you're not happy with it, don't buy!



2. When was the last time since Pink Floyd made a decent, original album? Mr. Gilmour and his band think we are boredom-proof. The technical precision of their performances is good as ever, but since Roger Waters left, it's all the same: technically perfect performances, but without any solid contribution to the mystic of the band. The lyrics of the new songs really suck and a re an insult to the depht achieved in previous years. I think that if they don't have anything new to say, there are better off silent. The graphic artwort of the albums can be superb, but that doesn't improve the band's musical content. It is the same legacy of Mr. Waters in a different fancy package. What's next? Pink Floyd unplugged?

5 comments about Night Shift.

1. NIGHT SHIFT is tied with FOOL FOR THE CITY and FOGHAT LIVE for the honor of being the best album that Foghat ever did. It's not loaded with hits, but the songs are all great, even if only "Drivin' Wheel" ever got played on radio. Get NIGHT SHIFT, FOOL FOR THE CITY, FOGHAT LIVE, ENERGIZED, ROCK AND ROLL OUTLAWS, AKA ROCK AND ROLL, and STONE BLUE first- preferably all at once.



2. It does not contain any of the Foghat tunes that are overplayed on the radio.

   It is nice to here some non mainstream Foghat.

   Not that Foghat is mainstream. Many people who listen to some 70s stations are unfamiliar with Foghat do know the over played songs they just for the most part do not know that it is Foghat.

   Well, this is real rock for real rockers.

   A treat to listen to once in a while.

   If you are looking for some good old fashioned bluesy rock I highly recommend this. Dig it out if you own it. Play it loud and share it with your neighbors. A great gift for a real rocker. If they own it already they have probably forgotten about it. I do not know why but Foghat was a great band that is often neglected, forgotten, or just overlooked for some reason. The one thing I do know is getting out the Foghat always improves my mood. Even if I am in a good mood to start out with as Foghat was a real rock band for real rockers.




3. Night Shift is the first Foghat disc I used to know - 20 years ago or so! THE album to own. Foghat at their very very best, above all the title track, one of the favorite rockers that has been released in the good ol' 70's. God, where all have gone the wonder (musical) years?



4. NIGHT SHIFT is a great Rock And Roll album. Combining Southern Rock, Blues Rock, & Boogie Rock, and playing them with a Hard Rock crunch, Foghat came up with a great signature sound. NIGHT SHIFT features some excellent songs; "Drivin' Wheel" is a great uptempo rocker, "Don't Run Me Down" shows a nice tempo change from a midtempo verse to a fast and frantic chorus, and is another great song. "Burnin' The Midnight Oil" is a great straight-ahead Hard-Edged Rock And Roll song, while "Night Shift" is a fantastic Hard Boogie song with a great sense of groove. "Hot Shot Love" is a good Rock song with some nice dynamics, and their cover of "Take Me To The River" is actually a bit reminiscent of their version of "I Just Wanna Make Love To You." The album closes out with a solid Blues Rock song in "I'll Be Standing By." There's not even one bad song on the album. If you don't own any Foghat CD's, this is a good one to start with, along with FOOL FOR THE CITY.



5. This is another great Foghat album. It's more bluesy and a little darker (less upbeat and bright) than previous albums, yet more rocking than the first two albums. Lots of slide guitar, like earlier albums. Also sliding bass guitar, which is a bit unusual in the world of rock and roll. I absolutely LOVE the slide guitar of Foghat - that and their blues-based sound is probably what makes me so fond of them.

   Listen to "Driving Wheel" and the title cut "Night Shift". Also the ballady "I'll Be Standing By" is very nice too. This is one of my favorite Foghat albums - maybe my very favorite!

No comments about The Magic Shoemaker Live.

5 comments about Cleared for Take Off.

1. I absolutely love Jefferson Airplane and collect most of their recordings. While the songs on here are good, the recording is very poor. The sound quality is awful. I will most likely never listen to this again and will probably sell or donate it. Very disappointing.



2. My two cents worth on this CD are that this is a great set of songs from when Jefferson Airplane were very energetic and more Marty Balin led,and also that the sound really isn't bad at all(just check out the samples here...they are very representative).
   
   I found this to be one of the better "import" live JA releases. Just get this and "Last Flight" and you've got all the good ones!



3. Hi Airplaners:
   
   As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" I put together this information for you and hope it gives you the best source of making a judgement about the recording. If you don't already have the music, please don't be turned off by the change of sound quality. Many times in order to acquire previously unreleased music you can't always have it sound like George Martin was part of the project.
   
   "Cleared For Take Off " Acrobat (U.K.) ACMCD 4001 CD released 11/6/03 (Taken from the Winterland, San Francisco, California performances of 3/10-3/12/67). The sound quality changes throughout the CD and the pops come at no extra charge. Although the CD wasn't put together with the greatest respect to the band or fan (Some songs fade-out and have wrong titles), those that don't own the material will be interested. There should have been one version of everything played during the three nights. The CD doesn't include "And I Like It", "Let Me In", "Fat Angel", or the jam. No information was given in the liner notes about the dates used for the songs so I have included that for you. "3/5 Of A Mile In To Seconds" 3/11/67, "Don't Let Me Down" 3/10/67, "Don't Slip Away" 3/10/67, "She Has Funny Cars" 3/12/67, "Let's Get Together" (Fades-out) 3/11/67, "High Flying Bird" 3/12/67, "It's No Secret" 3/12/67, "Come Back Baby" (Listed as "Jorma's Blues") 3/12/67, "Plastic Fantastic Lover"(Intro cut) 3/11/67, "Runnin' Round This World"(Listed as "Running Round The World") 3/11/67, "Somebody To Love" (W/"Leave You Alone" which was not listed) 3/10/67, "The Other Side Of This Life" 3/11/67, "Thing" (Fades-out) 3/11/67, "Tobacco Road" 3/10/67, "Today" 3/11/67, "White Rabbit" 3/12/67, "Bringing Me Down" (Listed as "You're Bring Me Down") 3/11/67, and "My Best Friend" (Listed as "You're My Best Friend").
   
   Thanks and be well,
   Craig Fenton
   Author "Take Me To A Circus Tent"



4. This release may look and sound like a bootleg, but that's part of its appeal, particularly for listeners who have admired this band from the beginning. Compensating for the erratic audio quality (not great, yet not abysmal either) are spirited performances by Jorma Kaukonen (guitar) and Marty Balin (vocals) that Airplane fans will not want to miss. The set list doesn't vary much in comparison to other live discs by the band, but this is still a historic document from the days when The Music Mattered!



5. I am a major JA fan...I am NOT a big fan of recordings such as this...the sound quality is poor...very middy sounding...lacking low end and the high end is thin and hissy. It does improve alittle as it progresses along. It leaves you a bit fatigued at the end...after assaulting your ears. You can barely hear what Jack Casady is doing on his bass...Keep in mind this was recorded during summer 1967...Grace had just joined the band a few months prior.
   
   I think they could have put alittle better effort into the remastering of this recording.
   
   If you want to hear great live recordings...stick to BLESS ITS POINTED LITTLE HEAD and THIRTY SECONDS OVER WINTERLAND..
   
   I would guess this was recorded off somebodys pocket tape recorder from the audience....would hate to think this came off the soundboard..

5 comments about Metallic K.O..

1. Performance art at its most decadent, the 2-CD set chronicles the destruction of The Stooges and the fall of Iggy (Pop) Stooge from personal demons.
   
   Bolstered with additional material, this infamous live "bootleg" from more than 30 years ago was initially only available as an import album.
   
   The two concerts chronicled - October 1973 and the band's final gig in February 1974 - is a sonic implosion due to any number of issues. The end is near, as a crazed Iggy implores the raucous crowd to throw more ice, eggs, beer bottles and jelly beans. The band limps along with muzak, sounding the closing chords for a wild ride that had gone so wrong.
   
   This is all too real....and dangerous when breaking glass is the soundscape.



2. The band is killing it and Iggy's between song banter is hilarious. This kinda stuff just doesn't happen at shows anymore.
   
   Unless, of course, it's a Mighty High show. Check out Mighty High...In Drug City.



3. It's fun to hear the Spinal Tap moments where he baits the crowd (once), but this was a so-so night for Iggy and Co. After slogging through a half a dozen similar CD's, it's clear that these guys got a lot of help in the studio.People who like the legendary rep of this disc would do better to just buy the tee shirt.



4. This is basically a legitimized bootleg album so the sound quality isn't the best. It is however, a landmark in Rock 'n' Roll/Punk history. The Ig did in fact issue a public challenge to a local M/C club, but it was the Scorpions and not the Angels. Turns out that one of the Scorpions jumped on stage at the Rock 'n' Roll Farm the week before and punched Iggy in the face, but enough of that. This is history, if you're a collector and a punk, get this 'cause you'll dig it. Cut it a little slack and remember the times (and the old Michigan Palace...what a great place to see a show that was). This isn't a listen to all the time type of recording, it's a historical document that needs to be appreciated for what it is. If you are the type that can't do this, this one's not for you. If you're from Detroit and you don't have it...I think it may be a felony. All others check local laws before ordering.



5. I have only been listening to the Stooges for maybe 4 or 5 months. I first purchased Raw Power and then The Stooges and Funhouse. This band is great and I was looking for more to listen to so I turned to this. When I first heard this yesterday, I was blown away. Though the mix is God awful, the energy and power that made the studio albums so great is definatly present in this. If you LOVE the Stooges and Iggy Pop and you are looking for more, I recommend this, but only if you REALLY want more. If your not that into the Stooges than this is NOT for you. O and if you only like The Stooges and Funhouse and don't like Raw Power (because the music is a little different), then you probably won't like this.
   
   And Iggy's comments are funny.

2 comments about Virtually.

1. I love Soft Machine. This live recording from 1971 is one of the last gigs with Robert Wyatt in the band, and it is a beauty. It is especially interesting to me because this CD has the only live recording(s) of Teeth (SM4), All White (SM5 and Pigling Bland (I believe SM5), Kings and Queens (SM4, 5 or 6). plus several songs that were never recorded in the studio [ Neo-Caliban Grides, Eammon Andrews]. The playing in general shows The Soft Machine at the top of their game.
   Robert does more of his vocal improv on this recording than on Noisette. He does this in two sections: one is a really very different scat style for him and really plays well into the mood of the recording.
   
   But the most notable piece for me on this CD is actually the opening cut of Hugh Hopper's Facelift.
   The previous reviewer is correct on how Robert's departure from the band made them less extraordinary, however I personally do not think they ever sounded like the typical fusion band of the 1970's era. Heck, they created it in a way! They have always maintained the Soft Machine signature sound. This is the quartet version of the band; I personally like Cuneiform's making of Noisette better because there were 7 band members with the addition of the horn & reed players and the septet was Ratledge's dream band. But they are different records. Both are superb spins!



2. This CD is without a doubt the best live album ever released featuring The "original" 4-man line-up of The Softs. Collectors and afficienados know all too well that the available live recorded output from this legendary unit - while seemingly endless - suffers greatly from everything from bad hall acoustics to poor instrument miking onstage. Even the "live" version of "Facelift" included on their stunning release "Third" is actually a pieced together (hence the name) amalgamation from two different shows. THIS CD contains the live material that should have been used on "Third" to make the live side equal to the brilliant studio compostions contained therein. And last but not least, this CD features the multi-talented Mr Wyatt on drums - always the Heart and Soul of this truely great and innovative band. And unlike the live side on "Third", Roberts drums are beautifully recorded as are the other instruments. Elton Deans saxello sounds like a sax *not* a hamster being set on fire. Once they lost Wyatt and aquired Marshall on drums they becasme just another fusion band albeit one with *great* melodies. . .

1 comments about Past Times with Good Company.

1. The live album captures the spirit of the band at its best: Colourful and vivid. Beautiful orchestrations, great vocals, and amazing atmosphere. The band shines on all tracks but my favorite is the title track played at the two versions. If you must find a fault on this live is that they should be using some 15 horns instead of synths but you cannot have everything in life! I beleive that with this release and Fires At midnight the band is really expanding, writing and playing beautiful music, and (i think that all of us Ritchie fans agree) my favourite guitar player is cleary shining again playing music in a way he only knows instead of repetitions of a great past (for whom the bell tolls?). Do yourself a favor. Go by the album. Ps the greek version of Home Again (i am Greek) has wonderful lyrics and singing but the accent is somewhat greekamerican - anyway we are honoured by such an act of the band!

1 comments about Atlantis.

1. This is actually two discs and was originally released as "Donovan Rising Again" and was recorded live from several concerts from 1982 to 1986, but it was put together so beautifully that you'd never know. Initially this series of songs was released as "Donovan Rising" and was a single disc which has been released under several different names and on several different labels. But no matter what label, no matter what cover, no matter what they call it, this is still one fine recording. Listening to these CDs you can almost imagine Donovan as that eighteen-year-old teenager who burst upon the scene with "Catch the Wind" back in 1965. He sounds as young on these songs as he did then.
   
   And you can tell that whoever put this together really cared, really understood Don's music, really went for quality of not only sound, but performance as well. Boy, what I wouldn't have given to be able to spend the hundreds of hours pouring through all the songs and performances, being there through all of that must have been glorious.
   
   Below, I've listed the song breakdown on the two discs. All the songs were written by Donovan, except where I've noted.
   
   Disc 1
   
   1. "Jennifer Juniper" - 2:00
   2. "Catch The Wind" - 3:41
   3. "Josie" - 3:24
   4. "Hurdy Gurdy Man" - 6:04
   5. "Sunshine Superman" - 3:53
   6. "Colours" - 2:51
   7. "There Is a Mountain" - 3:06
   8. "Mellow Yellow" - 3:24
   9. "Sadness" - 2:49
   10. "Universal Soldier" (Buffy Sainte-Marie) - 2:44
   11. "Cosmic Wheels" - 3:42
   12. "Isle of Islay" - 2:27
   13. "Trucking Your Blues Away" (Blind Boy Fuller) - 2:22
   14. "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" - 2:17
   15. "Love Will Find a Way" - 2:44
   16. "The Pee Song" - 1:43
   
   Disc 2
   
   1. "Sailing Homeward" - 3:27
   2. "Mr. Flute Man" - 2:11
   3. "Laleña" - 3:13
   4. "Young Girl Blues" - 5:05
   5. "Young But Growing" (traditional; arranged by Donovan) - 3:42
   6. "Stealing" (traditional; arranged by Donovan) - 4:17
   7. "Season of the Witch" - 3:39
   8. "Atlantis" - 3:05
   9. "Colours" - 2:21
   10. "To Susan On The West Coast Waiting" - 1:39
   11. "Catch the Wind" - 2:40
   12. "Make Up Your Mind to Be Happy" - 5:27
   13. "Happiness Runs" - 5:33
   
   Donovan's recording of "Catch the Wind" here sends chills up your spine. His rendition of "Hurdy Gurdy Man" with George Harrison's missing verse is equally chilling. The acoustic versions of "Sunshine Superman" and "Cosmic Wheels" are stunning. The version of "Young Girl Blues" takes me right back to the "Mellow Yellow" period. It has always been one of my favorite songs. I could go on, keep gushing about this fine live record, but I'll stop now. Oh wait! I forget to tell you that this is a must own Donovan disc for anybody who is even remotely interested in his music. You gotta get this one, you really do!