5 comments about Light Fuse, Get Away.

1. New Widespread Panic fan here. I've been listening to this daily for the last 3 weeks and think it's incredible. I listened to 1 WP cd probably 10 years ago and didn't really care for their sound at the time but gave them another try last year and very glad I did. This is my favorite release so far. Favorites (tough thing to do) : Gimme, Pigeons, Love Tractor. Of course Porch Song, Space Wrangler are great but I was already hooked on those before I got this CD. I think this is great sampling of their sound and highly recommend it.



2. I purchased this CD about 6 months ago and in that time i have probably listened to it over 150 times. I had been lightly exposed to panic during my high school days, but when I attened college I made a good friend who was a huge fan of panic. he introduced me to them in detail and since them I have fallen in love with them and especially the late great guitarist Michael Houser. HOuser had a very unique style that had a ligerning effect due to the delay which he always used in his rig.I have read reviews here that say that john herman's keybaords are sub-par in my opinion this is far from the truth. Herman I beleive has a wonderful style using organs and keyboards much in the way of former GRateful Dead keyboardist Brent Mydland. The highlights of these disks in my opinion are Space Wrangler, Impossible and Greta. The jam at the end of Space Wrangler is the best example of Houser's ability to blow your mind with his unique style and just make you want to boogie. the intro to impossible is head shaking hard rocking music that just sets up for another great tune. In my opnion if you are interested in this cd buy it before another panic cd to have some feel for the majesty of thier live shows.



3. When I hear the word jam band, the two groups which first come to mind are Phish and the Grateful Dead. While the Dead exist in a league of their own, I own Phish Live Albums and this Panic album, and I quite easily pick the latter over the former. This Panic cd simply has the soul and energy that I find Phish lacks, and the music is accessible while being unique and engrossing. Wanna dive into the jam band scene? Start with this Panic cd. You won't be dissappointed.



4. Widespread does it again!! They release another live album that is so crunchy, you forget it is the same as the many other live cd's they have that play the same songs, just like Dave!!! Even though I have every 'spread concert, excuse me, show they've played in the past four years in my twiggy new I-pod, I would totally pay 25 bucks to get the same songs, but on another cd. These Georgia boys do it again, but not really again because its the same as everything else, but again in a way worth spending 25 bucks. Keep on Truckin' 'spread, like Trey or the Dead, don't worry about being too monotonous, you're too crunchy for that.



5. Excellent representation of their live shows. It rocks! A definite must-have for any panic fan. Buy this one before any of the the others (if it's your first purchase), it has great songs from many of their albums.

1 comments about The Weird Tapes, Vol. 7: Dave Brock, The Demos.

1. Let me start off by saying that this series is for hardcore collectors. If you're new to Hawkwind start off with Doremi Fasol or Space Ritual. With that said, this is a very good CD. Most of them are demo quality and it's interesting to hear alternate versions of cuts that made it to the Sonic Attack album (1981). I think I like the demo version of Speed of Light (Transdimenional Man) better than the album cut. Other notable tracks include "Winter of Discontent" and "Looking In the Future"

   Unfortunately, this album gets a point knocked off because the TRACKS ARE NOT IN THE ORDER OF THE LISTINGS - NOT EVEN CLOSE!! On some of the lesser known demos, good luck trying to match the song with the title.

   Despite this, I highly recommend Vol 7 to fans and collectors...I'm happy it's available, even if the track listings are screwed up.

2 comments about Uncaged.

1. I shudder when I think of Beat Club performances. All except maybe a very few, were mimed and just featured tracks lifted from albums with some overdubs to make them sound "live". So if you want to see T Rex on a small stage miming to album tracks, then go ahead. Otherwise get Bolan on video elsewhere and buy Spaceball to hear solo acoustic Bolan.



2. With few T. Rex DVD's available, this "Enhanced CD" with cd Rom capabilities is a great edition. It gives Bolan fans an opportunity to see T.Rex as well as hear them Live. Though the material was taped for German TV in the early 70's, and isn't of todays quality and contains some overdubs, it's great to see & hear, especially Buick MacKane. I've seen hundreds of the top rock bands & musicians live, but the magic of T. Rex was something special. Gone, but not forgotten.

5 comments about Bursting Out: Jethro Tull Live.

1. Good to see this has been remastered and given a proper reissue.
   
   I actually have the original one-disc release of this CD, which I originally bought to replace my LP. On that edition, not only were a few songs dropped to keep it down to one disc (an all-too-common practice back in the day), but the edits were *utterly* artless. There are literally jarring jump cuts between some of the tracks.
   
   I hope it was also remixed so that the double-tracking Anderson did with his vocals is a little less obvious. I mean, just how did he manage to sing harmony AND lead at the same time in concert? And hey, while I'm at it, did they restore Anderson's naughty words during his witty repartee? Mine were actually bleeped. BLEEPED! HAH!
   
   But I digress. If you are a Tull fan, of course you need this release... Probably already have it... and are reading this review to find something to take issue with.
   
   If you are a new Tull fan, you should have this set, as opposed to any of the countless budget comps out there. It really is a classic lineup and a representative sample of their classic music.
   
   Casual Tull fans, however, will not find much here in the minor live variations to recommend above the studio efforts (sit down, Tullhead, I'm talking to the casual fan). You'd probably be happier with "Living In The Past."
   
   I consider myself a Tull fan -- but apparently not a rabid one -- Since I myself am still trying to decide whether I should bother to shell out for a THIRD TIME for this release. Maybe I'll wait for a 24-carat gold edition with extra tracks and a bonus limited edition weather balloon.



2. Highly recommended. The guitar work & drumming are excellent and it covers most of Tull's major hits including a nice concise version of Thick as a Brick.



3. It's a shame that 3 songs were cut to get this album on one CD. Some of Ian Anderson's banter is also missing, such as his reference to "young American boys" in the audience.

   But this is still the best live rock album since "Live at Leeds" (maybe better). It has an excellent acoustic set near the start of the concert. Near the middle is a 12 minute version of "Thick As A Brick"; the best version of this song that I've heard. "Hunting Girl" has some excellent guitar work by Martin Barre and bass by John Glasscock. "Aqualung" and "Locomotive Breath" make a fitting wrap up. Notice how Barriemore Barlow's percussion sounds like steam on the latter song. All of the other songs range from solid to excellent.

   The good news is that Amazon's UK site will offer a remastered version in February 2004. And it has 2 CDs!




4. This live is superb with a good choice of songs ( from the songs from the wood, heavy horses, aqualung ... years ) It will avalaible in november with the remastered version ( very good ) with at the same periode "stormwatch" and "A".



5. The unavailablity, of course. As a Tull diehard I have been looking for this album for a long time. Thanks to the joys of shopping on Amazon all these goldies for us not-so-oldies are now so readily available.
   This has got to be their BEST live album. Great sound...so different from the studio albums. It is like listening to new songs but you know them so well!
   Excellent flute work....this album has one of my favorite renditions of Bouree. You've gotta hear it!

2 comments about Atomhenge 76.

1. Two CD's,a total of 84 minutes of a certain Hawkwind tour,thought by many to have been lost forever into obscurity.Must admit,this is so much more enjoyable than what I had originally expected.Not a perfect sounding recording,but in my humble opinion,that's what makes it so much fun.Sort of like a fan had taped the gig,saved the cassette all these years,then recently found it in excellent condition and then mastering it on 2-CD's.Very nice!Some tunes are on here I've never heard live versions of,like "Paradox","Chronoglide Skyway","Wind Of Change","Back On The Streets" and "Kerb Crawler".Not to mention the unreleased cut,"Time For Sale" which REALLY sort of caught me off guard.This was co-founder Nik Turner's last tour with the band before being sacked for the first time.As most of you know,he returned between 1982-84.Some great Hawkwind staples are present,such as "Brainstorm","Uncle Sam's On Mars" and "Sonic Attack".This truly incredible gig took place in October,1976 at the Hammersmith Odeon.Love these archive recordings!Nifty 14-page mini-program like booklet with exclusive artwork,photos,etc.A shorter version of this release is available on the Griffin label,titled 'Thrilling Hawkwind Adventures'(see my review).



2. As a huge fan of the Hawkwind of the mid 70s, I awaited this release eagerly: the idea of hearing tracks from 'Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music'(one of Hawkwind's most underrated records) in a live context was more than a little exciting.
   Boy was I disappointed. The sound quality of this recording is of the standard of a poor bootleg - if you're expecting something like the quality of the live cuts on 'PXR5' for example, you'll be pretty upset.
   There is still room for a definitive live release from this period featuring such masters of the universe as Turner, Calvert, Brock and House together, but I'm afraid this is not it. Avoid.

1 comments about Instant Live: Murat Centre - Indianapolis, IN, 7/25/03.

1. Good combination of Derek Trucks and Warren Hayes on guitars, doing some new versions off of 'Hitting The Note". Good version of "Rockin' Horse" which I love, as well as interesting versions of old 'Wasted Words", "Southbound", "Come and Go Blues". Cover of "Same Thing" with horns, and topping off with lengthy finales of "Instumental Illness" and "Revival". Thanks guys

3 comments about Night Ranger - Rock in Japan: Greatest Hits Live.

1. I love this Cd! Only thing i wish was different was that "sentimental street" was not just Kelly with the piano. Don't get me wrong this sounds excellent on this Cd but i like the "7 Wishes" video version a little better cuz of the guitars by Watson ang Gillis. Sing me away is my favorite song and glad they put this on the Cd! Get it everyone!



2. I could not believe how incredible this live cd sounded the first time I heard it. It is incredible! Just look at the track listing! This is one of those cd's that you have to crank, or you won't get the full effect. If you are curious about Night Ranger, or are just looking for a great cd to listen to, here it is! Highlights are: Touch of Madness (rocks!), Sing Me Away, and the acoustic set consisting of Sentimental Street and Goodbye.



3. Great album! The sound is crisp and clear with no distortion or feedback, like in a lot of live albums. It sounds so good, you'd swear the band was live in your living room, or you were up on stage with 'em! The selection of songs is superior to their old "Greatest Hits" album, since it includes some of their more recent hits. I considered giving this 4 stars simply because I loathe guitar solos on live albums. However, after several listens to the album, I realized that the solos fit well into the context of the concert. They are also mercifully short! Nice to listen to some good, catchy, guitar-driven rock for a change, instead of the drivel being produced today. These kids today don't know what they're missing! If you miss the thumping, fist-in-the-air rock of the 80's, you'll love this album. I highly recommend it (if you can find a copy!)

5 comments about Classics Live!, Vol. 2.

1. Nothing big but just a live album with great performances of classic songs. Best version of 'Back In the Saddle' they have released and solid versions of the rest.



2. Heard that most if not all the eight(8) cuts on this CD was recorded live at a reunion gig that took place on New Year's Eve,1984. 'Classics Live! Vol.2' is decent,but certainly nothing to flip out over. The sound quality is,well good FOR a live recording as such. Tunes that lured me into keeping this disc handy for repeated spins were "Back In The Saddle", "Walk This Way", "Draw The Line" and "Toys In The Attic" (this song has always had special meaning to me). Worth checking out.



3. This is the better of the series, but that isn't saying much, considering poor playing, poor production, and poor track selection on "Classics Live 1." A couple of the usual suspects are here ("Back in the Saddle," "Walk This Way"), but the interesting stuff is Joe Perry's "Let the Music Do The Talking" and the first Tyler-Perry collaboration (and one of Aerosmith's best songs to date) "Movin' Out." But even so, "Classics Live 2" is almost as dull as the first. Overall: 4 out of 10.



4. Other than the cheesy mid-80's synthesized drum sound, this live album is ok. Most of this album was recorded during the "Back In The Saddle" tour. While it's definately better than the mostly lacklustre 'Live Bootleg', I think the original 'Classics Live' or 'A Little South of Sanity' are a lot better. That terrible drum sound really ruins this record in my opinion.



5. Classics Live 2 is 1000% better then its prediccesor Classics Live. Classics Live had the same callaber of songs but the performance came off as forced and streanus and tierd. But here you have all the key members of Aerosmith Steven, Joe, Brad, Tom , and Joey on all the songs. And all the songs are rock and roll classics not to mention Aerosmith standards. Joe Perry tore the joint down with every killer riff and face melting guitar solo. Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, and Joey Kramers rythm section is tighter then ever, and Stevens voice is almost flawless, almost as good as it is today! On Classics Live 1 Steven sounded, well not very good lets say for lack of better words, but here he pulls off all the high notes and still makes time to talk to the audience and play with the words. This is really a great live record that doesnt get as much credit as it should. Dont spend your money on part one unless you are a die hard fan like me. Just go For this one, because this is worth it for 'Let The Music Do The Talking' alone.

5 comments about King Biscuit Flower Hour.

1. The guys can play that's for sure and tho Tommy Bolin isn't Ritchie Blackmore he makes some nice contributions to this album. Ian Paice and Jon Lord do what they do very well. However the singing is atrocious and detracts from whatever interest the instrumentation might engender. Dave Coverdale is out of tune and straining exactly as many times as he is singing well. A 50% rating of "good" is not. But the worst is Glenn Hughes whose R&B cliches and screachingly high pitched vocals get on my last nerve. That pseudo funk/r&b direction Hughes favors did not work in my opinion for the band. For example Hughes for reasons known only to himself inserts a cover of Georgia in the middle of Smoke On The Water and then proceeds to oversing it as only he (and Michael Bolton) can. That alone my friends was enough of a WTF?!? moment for me to pitch this cd in the resell pile. What a tasteless bozo, no wonder Ritchie Blackmore left after the lackluster Stormbringer album.



2. if one can be clever, he is able to get this cd with 4,5 - 5 stars. if one can be fool, he cannot make any differences between Deep Purple & Britney Spears, and he said the songs are boring!
   This cd is a godsend for all Deep Purple fans especially who remember Tommy Bolin (RIP) at that time. DP played in american soil during the US tour 1976 and the show was taped by King biscuit flower hour Radio with excellent quality.
   The songs are heavy like Burn, Stormbringer, Lady Luck, Smoke, Highway star, The Grind. Tommy Bolin showed the audiences, how he could play very pretty that night in Long Beach Arena CAlif 1976. How strong he was! how clever he had replaced Ritchie Blackmore on his large shoes! if you're listening to this cd carefully, you can find the magical performances! if you re not listening carefully, you will find nothing!
   
   DP dramatician O Jo



3. let's give credit to where it is deserved, ok?
   enough of these childish bolin bashing.
   tommy bolin is not ritchie blackmore, anymore than trevor rabin is steve howe. thus, to expect a lead guitarist of such individual calibre as bolin to simply imitate blackmore would both be an insult to tommy , and ritchie.
   if you listen carefully to this album without expecting ritchie to come jumping off the stage with his gattling gun solo, you will find that there is a lot of tasty guitar from Mr. Bolin.
   granted , the cat squeal of glenn hughes is a bit irritating, but he was trying to upstage david coverdale.
   still, the band plays as a band. tight, with ian paice and jon lord at the helm, holding up the ship like 2 great captain driving this deep purple through one storm of a live gig.
   drugs, booze or whatnot; those garbage that continuously suck
   the talented life blood of these hard-working but unfortunately weak-willed artists;
   and hopefully future artists will learn from this, never to mix junk with music. to sum it all, if you are still so pig-headed about sleeping with ritchie blackmore and his strat, then you are going to be hating this entirely different purple music with bolin. however, if you keep an open mind and judge an orange for an orange,(not an apple for an orange),then this is the juiciest orange you can get out of a bunch of purple people.
   get it? 'nuff said.



4. Same songs on every other live album, but poor sound. Save your $$$ & get Nobody's Perfect.



5. This is Deep Purple Mock IV (I don't use the word mach; I use the word mock as in mockery). The first disc and a half comes from a concert in January 1976. The last 4 tracks are from February 1976. A couple of the songs get repeated, like Smoke on the Water. The first disc is 62 minutes and the second is 58 minutes. The sound quality is adequate.

   The group consists of original members Jon Lord and Ian Paice with Glenn Hughes on bass/vocals, David Coverdale on vocals and Tommy Bolin on guitar. Lord, Paice and Coverdale would go to form Whitesnake, which was basically Coverdale's band.

   The band does not sound like it had played together long. Bolin seems especially out of place. The band plays better on the newer songs, but really fumbles around with the classic songs. Coverdale doesn't even get the words right on the January version of Smoke on the Water. Later, in the February version, we sings the song correctly. Lord and Paice are solid throughout, but the other three don't mesh.

   There is only one really good song, Getting Tighter. A couple of songs are OK in parts, like the middle of Love Child and the last half of This Time Around. There is a 22 minute version of Lazy, but it is nowhere as good as the jams the real Deep Purple used to do.

   I do not appreciate Coverdale's vocals. He does a lot of screaming, but without the class of someone like Ian Gillan. He tries to imitate Gillan in some parts and fails. He tries to steal from Robert Plant, but comes off flat. And he does a bad imitation of Stevie Wonder. Most of the time, he comes off acting juvenile.

   I am surprised at how bad Tommy Bolin is on this album. Bolin was always great with other bands or with his solo work. He has a 10 minute solo that is just snippets of guitar cliches with long gaps inbetween. His guitar work during most of the songs is uninspiring. He does get in a few good licks in Getting Tighter and This Time Around. His inconsistancy was probably due to his drug problems. He died later in the year from a drug overdose.

   The best Deep Purple live album is the old 2 CD Live and Rare (not to be confused with the New Live and Rare). Next comes Made In Japan and In Concert. Live at Knebworth has some good parts. Nobody's Perfect is pretty bad, about on a par with this album.

   A side note: I once saw Whitesnake as the warm up band for someone else. I didn't know anything about the band, and thought they were pretty band. But, then the keyboard player and drummer went into this fantastic jam. Then I find out they were Lord and Paice.

No comments about 25th Anniversary: Live in Amsterdam.