5 comments about Live Killers.

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



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 I usually judge my appreciation of live albums in two ways: 1) is it a significant historical document and 2) are the live versions better than the old studio songs?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



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



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



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

5 comments about Aftermath (UK).

1. This is one of the best Rolling Stone records. It was also their frst masterpiece. If you already own the U.S. version of this album, buy it anyway. The extended version of "Out of time" and additional tracks "What to do" and "Take it or leave it" are worth the buy. This album demonstrates a transition of The Stones to a unique English style that infusses blues,folk,pop,progressive and dark themes, which paved the way for modern music.



2. The Stones, right before the change, of Between The Buttons and Their Satanic...where they struggled for their sound and identity, to regain it, with such future classics as Jumpin' Jack Flash, Street Fighting Man, Gimme Shelter etc, til the beginning of their downfall with Exile (3 great songs, and it makes all them stupid critic's lists).
   
   This was the first album where the Stones wrote all their material, and what gems are contained here! They were never snottier, or more sexist! (hooray!) Mother's Little Helper is of course a classic; how more obnoxious can you get than with an opening line like "what a drag it is getting old"? Good drug song.
   
   Stupid Girl! Ah, what a great song about a stuck-up, narcissistic woman.
   An underrated classic, just like this album. Nobody seems to know how great this LP is, it's like an appendage to a greatest hits collection, to make your classic Stones collection complete.
   Great lines here: "she purrs like a pussycat; then she turns around and hisses back" (must've been about a Scorpio chick!)
   The whole song has such wonderful venomous lyrics!
   
   Lady Jane -- a love song following that? nah, this is sarcasm at its best I feel. This is probably the most sonically stunning song on this superb remaster (sure sounds a lot better than my old German CD version). The interlude is positively beautiful.
   
   Other highlights are Doncha Bother Me, the horny Going Home (Mick's building up steam there, determined, he's gonna be back, oh YEAH. Great bluesy number); Out Of Time (another great sexist song; the message: you're too late, b---h! your loss, clearly ["my poor DISCARDED baby"]); I Am Waiting (the saddest song here -- "stand of coming years, escalation fears, you will find out" -- sadder than the truth behind Mother's Little Helper); What To Do (super-catchy number); and of course, the piece de resistance of sexism, Under My Thumb.
   
   What a classic song! While Social Distortion did a brilliant couple (okay, FOUR) cover versions with incredible venom, there's no need here; she's clearly just a "squirmy dog" who "does just what she's told" and, best of all this so-called conquerer of men who once had our protagonist down -- "the way she talks when she's spoken to" --YEAH!!!! Also, "her eyes are just kept to herself". This may be the greatest song ever!
   For any guy who's been done wrong, this is YOUR song!
   In fact, it's the way to BE!
   It's like "Heart Of Stone", yknow?, except HERE the Stones MEAN it!
   
   A vicious album; yet not angry in delivery: The Stones know who's boss. (60's rock stars!)
   
   My fave Stones album easily, after this I'd say --well first you need at least "Hot Rocks" or something, a best-of, covering the 60's. Then this, and then, well, the merits of Got Live If You Want It is widely debated, but I think it's great, just give me the old stereo mix with just Mick's vocals and handclaps in the right channel, and the band in the left, and you've got the next best album.
   
   I don't care less what they're doing now, they've been miserable for the most part after the 60s, although especially after It's Only Rock n Roll (and the incredible live period with Mick Taylor, their best guitarist ever, forget Richards next to HIM!). Plus, after Tattoo You, nothing by them is any good.
   
   Their peak, really. From the best year in popular rock and roll music, 1966, coincidentally when the bands influenced by the Stones were legion.
   
   Your best choice after a greatest hits for one of their 60s albums, much better than those that preceded it, or came after.



3. This remastered album has lost much of the edge of the original. A classic that has been rendered ordinary



4. I really enjoy this collection of Rolling Stones songs. I have the belief the band was at their very best in the late 60's during the pop and psychedelic blues rock/country rock period of their career (and just before) and starting with Let It Bleed, they went downhill (a little).
   
   This album has nothing but one catchy pop hook after another, and I couldn't be happier. It also has pretty and delicate songs such as "Lady Jane" and "I Am Waiting", which are songs that are sure to please those who love "Ruby Tuesday" and "As Tears Go By". The long version of "Out of Time" is much appreciated as well. A classic.
   
   "Mother's Little Helper" is still one of the Stones very best pop songs. Love it. I really like the entire album. The only problem is that the disc doesn't work with every CD player. I have a Sony CD player that's about 15 years old, and the disc refuses to work. I don't know what to do about that. It appears to work with every other CD player I have though. Be careful about this.



5. This album is not the hybrid SACD version as listed on the website. Just the DSD remastered CD. Customer Service could not ensure the product was correct before it was shipped. The Customer Service centers are not in the same location as the fulfillment centers.
   For these reasons, they are unable to check the physical details of an
   item for you. They did however say they would accept a return no problem.

5 comments about Asylum Album Box Set (9CD).

1. This Box houses the first six Eagles Albums {"Eagles" through to "The Long Run"} with the two disc: "Eagles Live" and a single: "Please Come Home For Christmas/Funky New Year". It is a Limited Edition Set at 20,000 produced. There are no extras included herein, no outtakes, no demos, no newly discovered live tracks. These are reproduced versions of the Albums {and Gatefolds} in paper sleeves.
   
   For folks that only own Greatests Hits Collections, this is the proper way to fill in all the gaps between 1972-1980. This Set is indeed a bit "Pricey" when compared to buying these CD's separately, but with a bit of shopping knowledge, this can be found for a reasonably price. I purchased mine at a Record Collectors Show, brand new in the shrink rap for $60.00.
   
   These CD's sound great, and are packaged as LP reproductions, {Mini Sleeves} with all the Original Graphics intact {Smaller, wear glasses!} As I have never been a fan of CD Hardcases that break so easily, for me this is the way to keep this Music together in one spot, and in the correct format.
   
   If you want to take pokes at the Band for their Music, their Dramas, Their Political Beliefs or their Haircuts...That is indeed your business.
   But for me, the Peak of Country/Rock and or Folk/Rock or even California/Rock, is right here on these Albums. The Eagles didn't kill the "Dream" that started in 1965 with the first record by The Byrds, they lived that dream like nobody else could. Just check out History between 1972-1980, so much changed during those years, just about everything changed within that brief time span, as did The Eagles.
   Great Band, Great Production, Great Packaging, Great Price? Yes, if you shop around.
   Four Stars !!!



2. You're probably already an Eagles fan if you're reading this. This review is about the construction of this boxed set edition, not the music. If amazon allowed half stars I'd give it a 3.5.
   
   It's a good looking collection, with each CD sleeve duplicating the original vinyl album in great detail. The gatefold album covers are well made, but the inner and outer sleeves of the other discs are far too fragile. I'm sure they will start tearing, even though I take immaculate care of my music collection. Also, the textured white cover of _On the Border_ sits in between the dark _Desperado_ and textured dark _One of These Nights_, and the covers are rubbing off on each other.
   
   The other drawback is that the text is mostly illegible because of the small size and the variety of fonts. But that's always an issue with these "vinyl replica" type CD sleeves.
   
   I had put off buying the Eagles on CD for a long time, so since I found this set at a good price I'm glad I finally have it. Just be aware that you'll need to be very careful with it.
   
   (For quality comparison, the Doors box set from 1999 and Queen's The Crown Jewels box set have very nice, well made miniature album sleeves.)



3. excellent set of cds.......all they made and then some other versions. very enjoyable. if you like the eagles you will love this



4. The people who should pick this up are the ones who want to get the Eagles catalog remastered in one shot and want the original style packaging. The songs are classics and there's a lot of stuff that you won't get on the greatest hits package (although "Very Best of" manages to cover a lot).
   
   But for a very limited edition that has a higher pricetag, Don, Glenn, Joe and Tim should have autographed each set (because it is their devoted fans likely buying the set), even if it meant raising the price on the set even higher.
   
   I also think that the entire set should've been a CD/DVD collection, as a lot of rare footage exists from this era as well, some of which has been shown on VH1 Classic. I just think it's far more fun to just watch the archive footage with its flaws than the flawless "Hell Freezes Over" concert.
   
   The "bonus" CD should've had the "Get You In The Mood" B-side from "Take It Easy" that they have never put out on CD.
   
   The only other thing I can think of is that "Eagles Live" should include more songs as the original 2 LP release had time constraints. Hopefully one day they can do a proper "Eagles Live" box set to cover the original Eagles with Leadon/Meisner as well as the Felder/Walsh/Schmidt lineup, because a lot of great songs they'd done live were left off.
   
   I think that because they have been putting out more repackages than new material (they really don't need to put anything out to justify touring), I don't see it appealing to anyone who already has all their CDs to begin with.
   
   Bottom line: The Eagles have repackaged themselves one too many times (the DVD-Audio version of "Hotel California" probably the only repackage worth its weight) , yet they have a lot of live material in the vaults that are far worth exploring than yet another repackage of what we've all heard many times over as well as concerts they've recorded for TV and have on film.
   
   But DO watch out for the Eagles "Farewell I" DVD to be released sometime in June 2005 and shown on network TV.



5. By now most of us have the all of the albums, even the remastered ones on this box set. Many of us (not me) bought the Very Best of the Eagles collection last year, not to mention the last box set, or "Hell Freezes Over", or Eagles Live...
   
   Or the previous two greatest hits cds. It goes on and on, and so far no sight of their long awaited "new" studio album.
   
   So why are Glenn, Don, Joe and Timmy hitting us with still another remastered, repackaged set of the same old songs? And why are people still willing to pay the big bucks their albums always run???
   
   "How Long", a marvellous, country-rocking Frey-Souther composition, was an early Eagles live staple. How come it has never seen the light of day on a recording? There's no reason why they couldn't include it on this set, except maybe that Henley and Frey would still prefer to besmirch the contributions of Leadon and Meisner (and Felder too).
   
   Don't you think it is high time to release that (not-so) new studio album, and give us new music, Henley??? You talk about CORPORATE GREED, DON, so what do you call this over [...] dollar turkey?
   
   Glenn, are you listening too?
   
   Either get those creative juices flowing again, boys, or cut the prices or the [...] You are millionaires so many times over it isn't funny.
   
   Unless Bernie and Randy are benefiting from this, don't bother. Or get yourself a Chris Hillman,(who has a wonderful new album coming out very soon) Herb Pedersen, Bernie Leadon, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, or even a Burrito Deluxe cd. At least these musicians are keeping the honored tradition of California Country Rock alive. Glenn Frey and Don Henley sure ain't.

5 comments about The Capitol Albums Vol. 2 (Brick).

1. Other reviews are ok to read. Some are BS though.
   What quality issues are brought up are from people who grew up in the age of the CD and should try listening to a 45 (single) or a 33 (album) sometime while eating your Big Mac, then type.
   And another thing - that complaint about the stereo version had a miscue and the mono didn't - was the way it was released in the US years ago. Get over it. Capitol execs know what's going on, the others at Capitol just stopped squeezing pimples a few years ago.
   NOW - it's Beatles 101 class for you youngin's - FYI - and so there's no misunderstanding, I'm 'Classic_Rocker' - the reviewer and editor from years past when online meant sitting at the teletype 100 miles away from 'the computer'.
   There isn't much more to release other than (some of) the US version instrumentals from A Hard Day's Night and Help! (and some of those can be found if you look hard enough at instrumental material available on CD) and a few strays.
   What's intersting is that few people actually understand that Capitol had The Beatles back in the studio to lay down new vocal tracks of many UK versions, but that didn't happen past 1965.
   AND even fewer people know that back when Tollie, Vee-Jay and Swan had the rights to release singles in the US (She Loves You, Love Me Do, etc), it was Capitol's rerecording of vocal tracks that created 4 versions of Love Me Do (and now we have those!) - the original (with sit-in drummer Andy White and Ringo playing with himself - off the UK album Past Masters), the secondary album version (with Ringo at the drums - off the UK album issue), then Capitol's two versions of mono and stereo with new vocals that we in the US are hearing for the first time on CD because they were US album only issued back then!
   Even Capitol screwed the US when the 'Red' album was issued on CD - the US Tollie version was reissued, not the Capitol version.
   What don't we have in stereo or reissued as a Capitol version to date (as a single or album only cut)?
   US Year 1963 - Misery.
   US Year 1964 - A Hard Day's Night, Can't Buy Me Love, I Should Have Known Better, There's A Place, Act Naturally, Day Tripper, Drive My Car, If I Needed Someone, I'm Down, Nowhere Man, We Can Work It Out, What Goes On.
   Yes, we have these songs but what I'm saying is - there are different versions originally issued in the US back then.
   So theres your missing album, not to mention the US issues of A Hard Day's Night and Help!
   And by the way, now we at least have the Help! version we grew up with (that begins with the chase music aka incidental music) that was also deleted from the 'Red" album reissue.
   And the next rocket scientist is about to say I'm missing something - what about the german versions of She Loves You and I Want To Hold Your Hand.
   Yes, you're right, but who cares.
   And don't bring up the different versions of Across The Universe. Buy the Anthology CD sets and you're covered (Wildlife version, especially).



2. It's the Beatles....nuff said! it's the Beatles doing what they do best. Pop rock with every imaginable hook they could write. And nobody did it better. the original album cover sleeves make it even more fun and having each song available in stereo and mono versions is even cooler! Pick it up!



3. Okay, we're ready for Vol. 3 now, please! I eagerly await the next four albums, "Yesterday And Today", "Revolver", "Sgt. Pepper" and "Magical Mystery Tour". Is Capitol stalling because of EMI's imminent release of the remastered British albums? I hope not. I'd like to see Capitol finish the series all the way through "Abbey Road". And for good measure, throw in "The Beatles Story" and the UA version of "A Hard Day's Night" while you're at it. If anyone in the marketing department at Capitol is reading this, I implore you to release "Yesterday And Today" with the original butcher cover. It's been more than 40 years since that album's release and I don't think anyone today would find it in poor taste. So come on! Let's get the next four out!



4. I've read commentary on what might or should be included in the next release in the series, The Capitol Albums Vol 3. Since this series is meant to recreate on CD, the original tracks both in mono and stereo, that capitol released in the U.S. from 1964 through 1967, the only logical choices are Yesterday and Today, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour. All subsequent Beatle albums were released on their Apple label. They should not be included and I trust will not be included in this capitol series. Just a note: A Hard Days Night (the UA version) was released by Capitol in the late 70s' or very early 80s' as was their entire catalogue (including the Apple releases) until EMI decided to release only the European versions in the late 1980s' But only contained stereo mixes in those releases.



5. As you can see, Capitol released the second set of Beatles albums onto CD for the first time in the US configurations. This will represent the four LPs that were originally released during 1965: "The Early Beatles", "Help! Original Soundtrack", "Beatles VI" and "Rubber Soul".
   
   The highlight of this set is definitely the US "Rubber Soul", which actually has a more folksy feel than the UK counterpart. Incredibly, I find it more preferable to the UK one as I find songs like "Drive My Car" kind of out of place in comparison to other material on the US version.
   
   Don't get me wrong, I love "Drive My Car", but since I first heard it on the "Yesterday and Today" compilation in the 70s, I have always thought of it as a 1966 tune, more appropriate for "Revolver" than a 1965 tune on "Rubber Soul". Time has allowed me to get used to the UK version of "Rubber Soul" (We've only had 19 years to listen to this version in the US.), but the US version is one of the best "compilations" of mid-60s Beatles music ever to come out if you don't want to consider it The Beatles actual vision.
   
   As far as the other discs go, they are actually very weak in comparison to other earlier and later material, and with good reason. With constant touring, The Beatles well had basically dried up for a time. So all of the material from the UK "Beatles For Sale" and US "Beatles '65" and "Beatles VI" LPs are slightly more weak. That's just being nitpicky as they always seemed to put out great stuff.
   
   People quibble about the US version of "Help!". I may be in the minority, but I enjoy those Ken Thorne instrumentals. I hope that Capitol sees fit to release the United Artist "A Hard Day's Night" soundtrack with its instrumentals intact as well. It makes it seem like a movie soundtrack than just a collection of songs like the UK "Help!" is.
   
   I definitely prefer the UK "Please Please Me" to the US "The Early Beatles", but what can you do? Capitol got the rights back to the early songs and duly released a belated collection that everyone had purchased a zillion times over on Vee-Jay, so I am glad it is here for that reason alone.
   
   Another MUST BUY!

5 comments about A Bigger Bang.

1. Good stuff. Should have been a 40 minute 10 track album though - some cool songs get bogged down by the filler stuff. All the same, it's a good album. Also must add it has the best album sleeve art since god knows when! about time!



2. Mick and the boys can still get ut up. This has some great vintage Stone vibes!



3. Waited a while before I reviewed this CD. Recently I loaded it into my Ipod and have been rocking out to it regularly.
   
   First of all, I find it to be great fun. Okay so it's not the best Rolling Stones effort, and no comparison to the greats like Exile on Main St. But there are some rockin' little tunes here, and certainly enough to rationalize the purchase.
   Of course my favorites are the ones that most reviewers list as the weakest and least favorites.
   Streets of Love (had to be written with Jerry Hall in mind and heart) & Sweet Neo Con. (Politically charged and my sentiments to a "T") Second favorites are Rain Fall Down & Laugh I nearly Died.
   
   They may be looking like little old men who have been around the bush and back a million times, but they still rock and roll like nobodies business.
   
   I would have given this 5 stars, but it just doesn't stand up to some of their older and better masterpieces.



4. Ah yes, the Stones 2005 release. Loved them at the Xcel in St. Paul.
   
   First: I am a huge Stones fan. I awaited this release with baited breath.
   
   Next: three years on, there is no need to fool around with giving this record more then two (three at the absolute outside, considering carefully the portfolio against which it is to be measured) stars.
   
   Let's face it. There are some pretty embarassing moments on this record that no Rolling Stones fan should have to endure. Rough Justice is a pretty fun, Ronny influenced song, but what's with the stupid chicken and cocks lyrics kicking it off--it calls into question the (ahem) songwriters' judgement, and puts a big damper on what otherwise is a pretty good song. And "Streets of Love" is simply stupid and unlistenable, suitable only for a soap opera, one of very few Rolling Stones songs to merit such a label. I used to think "Blinded by Love" was bad....
   
   And what about jello and tits in "Oh no"? Another perfectly good song ruined by a few poorly chosen lyrics.
   
   Three years is about the historical max for a gap between good Stones records. 1997's "Bridges to Babylon"--despite several weak tracks--the last record to have been released within the three year timeframe--has stood the test of time as a solid Stones record. "Saint of Me", "Thief in the Night", and "Juiced" join a venerable rock 'n' roll pantheon.
   
   Eight years is simply too long. If this is all the boys can muster up, then the simple truth is they should just quit pretending to create new music and rely on the timeless standards. (Incidentally, why wasn't a song like Bablylon's "Thief" or "Saint" included on the mostly excellent "Shine A Light" film? I mean, has there been nothing since 1983's "She Was Hot" worth recording? (And "She Was Hot" is one of the hottest tracks on a pretty good live record/film).
   
   I will say that there are some good songs on "Bigger Bang". "Let Me Down Slow" is a fine paeaen to the life of earlier days, and "Dangerous Beauty" is an effective send up of the Abu Ghraib crowd. But, if that's all you've got, release an EP already.



5. TO THE STONES , ----Don't let us (FANS) wait years and years for another album. This music is simply fun and exciting (GOOD), so keep going "ROLLING STONES". DON'T STOP..........DON'T WASTE YOUR TALENT.......MAKE ANOTHER ALBUM , " FAST" . You guy's are to good not to make more albums. (p.s.) MICK, your voice sounds great on this album......keep it going.

5 comments about Early Days & Latter Days: Vol. 1 & 2.

1. Early Days, Later Days includes almost all the must haves from the impressive catalogue of this Iconic Band. The powerful, bluesy wail and incessant and inventive riffs just sweep one into a world of powerful emotion and life well-lived. Perhaps the only addition to this tomb that may have made it even more essential to Zep beginners would be Ramble On; Heartbreaker; Livin' Lovin' Maid; and Misty Mountain Hop. However, given the legnth and grandeur of their hits- I am hard pressed to see what Jimmy Page would have left out of this jam packed 23 song compilation. This 2 CD set also includes a video of Kashmir, which complements nicely the Communication Breakdown Video in Early Days. An amazing tour de force- or better yet, a force of nature. Short of their much more expensive box set- this is the perfect compilation of Zep songs at a nice price. Enjoy!!



2. Good colection of songs from the greatest band that ever lived. This is a prety good selection of songs although there alot of Zeppelins best songs that are missing. Still it is worth the money.



3. You know, I'm not at all sure what I think of Led Zeppelin. On the one hand, they've got the musicianship (except for Robert Plant. Screw him), they put out a couple real classics: III and Houses of the Holy come to mind, and they certainly know how to put together a big sweeping massive epic. On the other hand, they certainly had their faults - lack of a great songwriter; inconsistency; the fact that their last two albums sucked wang... yeah.
   Now, there are some really great songs here, but lack of balance is its issue. A whopping five tracks are taken from the hit-packed but massively overrated ZOSO/IV, and while they picked the five best (and indeed, the only five worth listening to), they REALLY underrate my two favorite Zeppelin albums. I'm sorry, but a Led Zeppelin compilation without "Over the Hills and Far Away" and "The Rain Song" (my two favorite Zeppelin songs) is missing a lot. And then in their place? "Communications Breakdown" (that's right, I hate that song. Eat me)? "Nobody's Fault but Mine"? (Cool drumming there, though). "All of My Love"? (Love the synthesizer solo, hate the rest). "In the Evening"? (total worthless arena-rock in the style of Journey). That ain't gonna fly. Hell, while I'll admit that "Houses of the Holy" is a lot of fun, I'd rather hear something like "Tangerine" or "That's the Way" or "Gallows Pole" or "Ramble On". I know that this was just supposed to give everyone the best-known cuts, but hey, most Zep fans I know like "Tangerine" a lot. But yeah, I'll admit you can't squeeze every random fan favorite on a collection, which probably screws my bid for "The Rain Song". But "Over the Hills" and "Ramble On" are radio staples. If an artist records songs that are radio staples some thirty-whatever years after their recording, it's generally advisable you throw 'em on greatest-hits albums. Unless they suck (i.e. "Communciations Breakdown" - yes, Jimmy, I understand you can play guitar really really fast), in which case it is advisable you run away from them as far as possible.
   But hey, there are a lot of GREAT radio staples on here, most of them leaning towards the big bad hulking collossal epic side of things. You ever hear "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You"? "Dazed and Confused"? "Since I've Been Loving You"? That one about the device that gets you to the second level of a building and an afterlife of eternal happiness, you know, "Escalator to Nirvana" or whatever? "When the Levee Breaks"? "No Quarter"? "Kashmir"? "Achilles Last Stand"? Those are rock classics! I mean, even I, Mr. Casual Zeppelin Fan, love the hell out of each and every one of 'em. And I'm glad they included "Ten Years Gone" instead of "The Wanton Song" - I know that "Wanton" is a bigtime radio favorite, but it's a smelly piece of crap that's even worse than "Communications WWE SMACKdown, Which I Don't Watch Because Only Idiots Watch Wresting". "Wanton" indeed! Now, "Ten Years Gone", on the other hand, is the only Zeppelin song that can bring me close to tears. From a group that I don't hugely love and is usually as subtle as a bulldozer! It's a friggin' guitar ORCHESTRA! How cool is that? Much cooler than "The Wanton Soup Song", that's for sure.
   And then some of their genre experiments rule too, like the funky "Trampled Underfoot". The only problem with it is that it was ripped off of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition". Yeah, very smart, guys. For one, Stevie Wonder is in a whole different league than Zeppelin, up there with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis. For another, "Superstition" is one of my favorite songs ever. For a third, I can't believe they didn't think nobody would notice them ripping it off, because it just became a hit three, four years before Physical Graffiti came out. Yeah, that bugs me about Led Zeppelin: they blatantly rewrite so many tunes and claim them as theirs (see "Whole Lotta Love", which nevertheless RULES in its awesomeness - other than the stupid sex part, anyway. See what I mean? No subtlety. That and simulated canoodling does not sound good at all. That and Robert Plant's voice sucks, and he moans a lot on that song. But the guitar solo and main riff are just piledriving power). Anyway, back to genre experiments. They pull another one off with soft-rock on "What Is and What Should Never Be" (which is hypnotic! I love it!) and Celtic folk on "The Battle of Evermore". Oh yeah, and some of their famous rockers are a real power surge: "Good Times Bad Times", "Immigrant Song", "Black Dog", "Rock and Roll". I think the Who do the same thing better, but at the same point, all four of those have great riffs, and "Rock and Roll" is (to me) the best song on Led Zeppelin IV - better than the two epics, "When the Levee Breaks" and "Stepladder to Valhalla" (God, still can't come up with the name!), which is saying a lot.
   By the way, Robert Plant must've been a really weird teenager. Look at his two main lyrical themes: Sex, and Sword 'n'Sorcery. He'd probably go down to the Renaissance Festival dressed up as Aragorn or Sir Galahad or something like that (I'd know because I dress up for the Renaissance Festival every year because I'm a nerd) and chase after the scantily-clad Elven women, don't you think? Robert Plant, the horny nerd with the bad voice. I don't like his lyrics much, either. But whatever.
   Oh yeah, and they forgot "Hey Hey What Can I Do", a spectacular little folk-pop song. I adore it. I'm not sure why, but I adore it.



4. How in the world do you include "Heartbreaker" and not follow it with "Living Loving Maid"? Insane. Even radio stations play them together. I never hear the first played without the other! This is why I will not be buying this set.



5. i bought this when it first came out. it was my first zeppelin cd and i never looked back.the point is any hardcore fan is already gonna have all these tracks. this set was designed for the beginner or casual fan who is tring to get into zeppelin or just wants the a decent anthology of the hits. either way its a great set with plenty of good songs and i recommend it completely

No comments about Sticky Fingers.

5 comments about Rubber Soul.

1. "Rubber Soul" is a great album. It consists of catchy, unpretentious British Invasion pop songs and you really don't think it would be that good but it is. The only song I dislike is "Drive My Car," but everything else can be listened to over and over. Slower, more contemplative songs like "Nowhere Man" and "Norwegian Wood," sweet love songs like "In My Life" and "Michelle," jangly pop "If I Needed Someone," and more aggressive numbers like "Run for Your Life." This album is just plain solid all the way through.



2. Though they continued to tour through 1966, by late 1965 the Fab Four considered themselves primarily studio musicians, and the two great mid-period albums "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver", even in their abbreviated Capitol versions, reflect this. Gone are the simpler, crowd-pleasing rave-ups that had driven teenaged girls crazy just a short time earlier, replaced by meticulous studio craftsmanship. In its original Parlophone form (the CD reviewed here), "Rubber Soul", from December, 1965, contains fourteen originals, ranging from Paul McCartney's cheery "Drive My Car", to John Lennon's much more complex "Norwegian Wood" (about a brief tryst, a landmark song in the Beatle canon, as it deals with much more adult subject matter than the group had ever addressed before), to George Harrison's rather sour "Think For Yourself"; again, far removed from Beatlemania. Best-known are McCartney's oft-covered "Michelle", a signature love song, and Lennon's "In My Life", which has grown even more poignant since his untimely demise. The four lads from Liverpool had been the best-known pop group in the world for quite awhile. Now they settled down to crafting music.



3. I was amazed to find a couple of songs on here that I didn't remember. This has a lot of my favorites. If you are a Beatle fan, I would definately recommend 'Rubber Soul'.



4. My favorite Beatles album, actually. Others were more experimental, influential, and innovative, but Rubber Soul is really the bee's knees, musically speaking. Chronologically speaking, it captures the Fab Four at a crossroads, bridging the gap between their tenure as the world's smartest teen pop band and rock `n' roll's preeminent celebrity mad scientists. As such, it captures the best of both worlds: The songs are smartly crafted pop classics with perfect melodies, but they're also bold and original. The lyrics are subtly poetic, the instrumentation is rich and complex, and even the most innocuous tracks burble with exciting new ideas.
   
   "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" is a sepia-toned miracle, full of folk and mystery and parallel-universe pop melodies. It also has some of the best use of a sitar on a Beatles record. "In My Life" is a tearjerker that can really jerk tears, a haunting work that's full of memory and melancholy. "Drive My Car" is really fun and really groovy, and the guitar solo is wonderfully, unbelievably, quintessentially 60s.
   
   But the real draw of this album is the underappreciated gems. Rubber Soul is full of `em. Take "You Won't See Me," for example. It would have been the highlight of just about any other 60s group's career- it's an absolutely flawless pop song, from harmonies to lyrics to chord progressions. It's cool, it's wistful, it's catchy, it's dynamic, and it's fun. Perfect, I tell ya! "I'm Looking Through" is absolutely gorgeous, and "Wait" has one of the most bewitching choruses in history. I even like the much-maligned "Run For Your Life," because it creates a genuine sense of menace and aggression. Marvelous!
   
   To top it off, the cover art is hipper than anything else in existence. Be hip and buy Rubber Soul. Bon Appétit.



5. A lot has been written and spoken about "Rubber soul" It is basically The Beatles coming of age release. Their work takes on a more reflected and personal identity. They sound more mature in their singing, playing and songwriting. At no time though does this CD sound heavy handed or preachy. Some of the pop sheen is still present, but their melodies and subject matter have a very passionate feel to them. They were still writing in a "singles" (45's) mode and so most everything on the CD sounds like it could have been a hit single in 1965. For that matter probably could be a hit record these days too. Really the only true throwaway song on here is Ringo's "What goes on?" Everything else brims with worthy craftsmanship. Imagine how good this album would have been had they included "Day tripper" & "We can work it out" instead of issuing them as a double A side single.

5 comments about Flashpoint.

1. If you follow my writing, you know that King Diamond is one of my favorites. I also really like Bon Jovi and Exodus. I also have respect for Blondie and Britney Spears. Mr. Jagger was amongst the music my parents listened to before I was around. I can only say that they listened to some really great stuff. Granted, this record is a collection of Mr. Jagger's greatest hits, but we can guess from this record that the "Rolling Stones" are a GREAT icon of the 60s. 'Start Me Up' is a nice swinging song that starts the record. 'Sad...' keeps the energetic flow of the record going. 'Miss You' is not my favorite, but it is alright. 'Rock and a Hard Place' has an unforgettable sound to it. 'Ruby Tuesday' has a nice gentle sound to it, and is one of my favorites on the record. 'Can't Always Get What You Want' is a memorable song (as well as a painful reality.). 'Factory Girl' has a great energetic tone to it. 'Can't Be Seen' is not my favorite, but it's alright. 'Red Rooster' is different, but alright. 'Paint It Black' is a real high point. (On a side note, it was used at the end of Al Pacino's movie "Devil's Advocate.") 'Sympathy For the Devil' is of course a rocking classic. 'Brown Sugar' has a great sound to it. 'Jumpin Jack Flash' is of course another energetic high point. 'Can't Get No Satisfaction' wasn't my favorite, but it is of course a classic. The record finishes well with 'High Wire' and 'Drive.' While this music was really before my time, I have to admit it is a great record, and that my parents listened to some really great music.



2. "Flashpoint" is a live album that was taken from the band's massive "Steel Wheels" tour at the end of the 80's. The tour was the Stones return to the concert stage after a several year hiatus. The Stones have put out many live albums over the years, and I think this one is a decent effort. There is a lot of repetition from other live albums, but some rarities like "Factory Girl", can be found here too. The band is in fine form through the whole thing with plenty of patented Richards / Wood riffing. Jagger sounds.....well .....like Jagger all the way through, and I believe this was the last tour that Bill Wyman played before leaving the band. All in all this may not be the best Stones live album, but I enjoy it the occasional times I pull it out.



3. How did Richard R. Carlton miss this detail? I was just listening to this with my headphones on and discovered the production team decided to have a little fun with the listeners. Pull out your copy of Get Your Ya Ya's Out! Listen to the audience just prior to Sympathy for the Devil and you will hear this goofy chick imploring Jagger with "Paint it Black... Paint it Black... Paint it Black you devil!" She really sounds pretty stupid. Now, put on Flashpoint and listen very carefully to the crowd noise after Ruby Tuesday. At the 3:19 mark, just before Jagger says "Listen to THAT". The casual listener believes he's telling his band mates to listen to the great crowd response to the tune just played. But, to the careful and knowledgeable listener, he's really directing your attention to the fact that they've mixed in the voice of that same goofy girl in the crowd noise. That's pretty hilarious isn't it? "Paint it black... paint it black... paint it black you devil!" I love funny little details like this. I wonder if they've put that on ALL the live releases? Now I'm going to have to buy them all dang it!
   
   Ok, so on with the review: THis is a VERY generous helping of the Rolling Stones playing much of their catalog live and playing it very well I might add. There's been plenty of tune-by-tune analysis by others so I'll just give you the hi-points of why I like this release so much and point out a couple of small annoyances. From a musically knowledgeable, semi-pro musician's perspective (that would be your's truly) Flashpoint is a very good live recording. The band is extremely tight, yet flexible enough to allow those one-of-a-kind moments that make each performance unique to become manifest. The musicianship is surprising good. I knew these guys could play but they are better than I'd given them credit for - and I'm one of those jazz-snob types who tends to "dis" most rock musician's abilities - boy was I stupid.
   
   There are no stinker tunes on Flashpoint, it's all very good stuff. The only criticisms I can muster is that in places it sounds all too grandiose, like a big production number (Jumpin' Jack Flash, Satisfaction). There are a couple of places where Chuck Leavell resorts to using that cheesy sounding Oberheim piano/strings setting that was prevelant in the 80's but really, the use of synth is kept to a minimum thank merciful God! Synthesizers are an abomination to what is supposed to be raunchy rock and blues music. Finally Wyman's bass line on Paint it Black gives the song a little too much of that Bulgarian folk dance sort of sound. If I were watching this live I might expect a bunch of guys with bushy handle-bar moustaches and furry hats to come out and start dancing that step where you sort of throw your boot-shorn legs with puffy trousers out front one after the other and start tossing one another around acrobatically. Leavell's use of the synth while playing that very Arabesque pattern in the Dorian mode (scale) certainly helps this little "Kausak fantasia" along. And yes, I do know that Paint it Black was actually inspired while messing around with a sort of Hebrew folk dance sounding thing during a studio rehearsal. Anyway, these really aren't big problems. If someone as persnickity and obnoxiously opinionated about music as myself can overlook 'em, you will too. Despite those little annoyances, this is an incredibly good live album. FINALLY we get a live version of Sympathy for the Devil that is worthy of public release, it is AWESOME.
   
   The Stones pretty much tear it up on every single tune, no fooling, though at times the tempo is a bit too fast - very typical of live performances, every band I've ever played in has this tendency. It's the "drummer can't contain his excitement phenomena" and all bands have this problem (except for those Industrial bands w/o drummers who use synthesized *wretch* percussion I guess). This is pretty much a greatest hits live (vol 1) release. There's lots of favorites and they are all played astonishingly well. I really love the fact that they included Factory Girl. It sounds great though the live production seems a touch over produced (very grandiose sounding in places)
   
   The stand out track is of course Little Red Rooster, because it features that blistering solo by Eric Clapton. It's interesting to compare this to the version from The Rolling Stones Now! released in 1965. Wood's slide guitar stays amazingly true to Brian Jones' slide work from all those years ago (compare the two slide performances at the "Hound's begin to howl" line.
   
   The audience is very much "into it" as well and is actually part of the entertainment. The "Can't Always Get What You Want" sing-along is superb.
   
   Flashpoint also seems to be available at a very reasonable price for a CD with 17 great songs and a very nice little booklet of pictures from the tour.
   
   So far, I own four live recordings by the Rolling Stones. Here's how I rank them as far as what appeals to me:
   
   1. Stripped (harder to cover mistakes in an unplugged set so it's #1)
   2. Flashpoint
   3. Get Your Ya Ya's Out! See my review, GYYYO is very over-rated.
   4. Got Live (if you want it)
   
   So that's it. I highly recommend Flashpoint, it's a wonderful greatest hits live package. My opinion rules because I know what I'm talking about. Buy this.



4. I mean, c'mon. The Stones and fans talk about how important the 1969 tour was, new guitar player, new live sound, new quiet audience. They were right, sure. But the 1989-90 tour was far more important. They basically got up and played song after song they never played before or at least not in many years. They never sounded that good live. They never stayed in tune thru the whole show before. Sympathy/Devil with the piano and congas just like the studio version. Where's all the songs from these shows???? Where's Undercover, 2000 Light Years From Home, Salt of the Earth? At least they included Factory Girl, good move. I'm glad I taped the Atlantic City show off the air. Much better than this.....



5. I've left this sit on the shelf for years.
   What a mistake, but better now then never.
   A must for your Stone catalogue.

5 comments about Live at Wembley Stadium.

1. Queen's Live at Wembley '86 was originally released in June of 1992.
   The album was recorded on Queen's final tour with its classic lineup at the now demolished old Wembley Stadium in London on July 12, 1986 (the band sold out two nights and could have done a few more Wembley gigs but was not available so it ended at Knebworth Park (which deserves a release for pure historical value)).
   Regardless, this is a pretty damn fine show featuring a good mix of (then) new songs (The pulsing opener "One Vision", a killer "A Kind of Magic", a stunning "Who Wants to Live Forever" and a great but short "Friends Will Be Friends") and classic ones ("Tie Your Mother Down", "In the Lap of the Gods (Revisited)", a short "Seven Seas of Rhye", "Tear it Up (with a teaser of Liar)", "Under Pressure", "Another One Bites the Dust", the pulsing "I Want to Break Free", "Now I'm Here", the acoustic "Love of My Life" and "Is This the World We Created", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Hammer to Fall", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "Radio Ga Ga", "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions") despite some obvious vocal overdubs (as this came out on video in the late 1980s in Europe) on "One Vision", "A Kind of Magic", "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "We Are the Champions".
   Also, there was a little jam called "Impromptu" which showcased Freddie's dynamic vocal range and Brian May's 9 minute guitar solo called "Brighton Rock Solo".
   Also, the band decided to incorporate several 50's-era tunes into one medley ("You're So Square (Baby I Don't Care)", "Hello Mary Lou" (although Led Zeppelin did it better on How the West Was Won) and "Tutti Fruitti" (which was extended on this remastered version of Live at Wembley) and also the 40s song Big Spender which was part of the first encore. Certainly it is a slicker package than Live Killers and better than Live Magic but not as great as Queen On Fire Live at the Bowl (recorded in 1982 and released in 2004) nor Queen Rock Montreal (recorded in 1981 and released in 2007).
   The Live at Wembley '86 album reached #52 on the US charts in 1992 but would eventually go Platinum with a million copies sold in the US over time.
   In August of 2003, to coincide with the DVD release of this show, Hollywood Records in the US and Canada re-released Live at Wembley '86 with a new title Live at Wembley Stadium with FOUR BONUS TRACKS including killer versions of "A Kind of Magic", "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" from the first Wembley performance July 11, 1986 (which was better than the versions on the regular album and also overdub free) and "Tavasi Szel Vizet Arast" which was recorded at Nepstadion in Budapest, Hungary on July 30, 1986.
   This live album is recommended!



2. Incredible recording sound quality ! I love the background sound, cheering throughout the concert. When you're down and out, don't miss the second CD, it will restore your energy !



3. Queen has officially released five live CD's (Live killers, Fire at the bowl, Rocks Montreal, Live magic & Wembley) This one was released originally only in Europe and took some time before it ever saw an official release in the USA. The members of Queen have given varied and conflicting reasons why they never returned to the USA for a concert tour, but that's beside the point. This CD sounds good and some of their performances border on spectacular, but the songs presented here are for the most part weak. They were promoting their "A kind of magic" CD which curiously they only performed four songs from that offering. No big deal. I consider that album their absolute worse and incredibly boring CD of their catalog.
   You can tell the audiences at Wembley were certainly enthusiastic and very much appreciated their performance. The problem I have with this CD is the song selection. The tunes from "A kind of magic" are sub-par at best, but they sound edgier here. The oldies melody is a complete waste of time. With their wealth of past material to choose from why do something ridiculous like that? and did we really need yet another extended guitar solo from Brian May included again?
   This is not their best concert performance. Of all five live CD's; their best performance can be found on "Fire at the bowl" but you'll have to put up with the lame songs from "Hot Space"
   I'm sure their fans in Europe really clamored for this concert were Queen could do no wrong, but here in the USA this was unnecessary.



4. This is the greatest concert of Queen!!! All the songs are great and Freddie rocks!!!



5. This was an amazing performance by Queen, and sadly the bands second last. It starts out with One Vision, and includes some of my favorite Queenhits of all time such as the rock opera masterpiece In The Lap Of The Gods, Seven Seas Of Rhye, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Now I'm Here. They also do a smashing rendition of Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Radio Gaga, Under Pressure and I Want To Break Free, and Is This The World We Created, among others.
   Also included some tongue in cheek renditions of some old 50's hits like (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care, Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart), and Tutti Frutti.
   I wish the band had actually sung Brighton Rock, instead of making it just a guitar instrumental. I know Brian May is one of the best guitarists ever, but Brighton Rock is actually one of my favorite songs, and that's whatI wanted to hear , not just the background guitar music to the song.
   Peronally, I don't think it is quite as good as Live Killers.
   Nonetheless it was a fantastic concert, by one of the best bands ever.