Editorial Review

Since Bruce Hornsby first infiltrated the pop landscape in 1986 with the year's most socially conscious ballad, the Virginia native has proven himself to be a gifted singer-songwriter, piano player, and bandleader. All of those talents are much in evidence on this double CD of live material culled from his band's last two years on the road. A pianist with the chops to evoke everyone from KeithJarrett and McCoyTyner to FloydCramer and VinceGuaraldi, Hornsby takes a number of opportunities to stretch out here,including a solo introduction to his breakthrough hit, "The Way It Is," thatexplains why he almost ended up on the Windham Hill label. Not surprisingly, thelatter-day Grateful Dead sideman also gives his band plenty of instrumental slack, which can make lengthy workouts like "Spider Fingers" a bit daunting for pop listeners. But devotees of Hornsby's more straightforward material will still find much to love here, including haunting renditions of "The End of the Innocence" (written with Don Henley) and Hornsby's more recent "Fortunate Son" (not to be confused with the Creedence song). There's not much that could be called noise here, but Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (35)

To my fan
Apart chapter of this live songs, with a little erudite effort retrospective anti-academic repetitive pomadas, are at least six fine bonbons masterpieces:
Live and At Their Best
As most Hornsby fans know, Bruce and The Noisemakers are one incredible live show.They play and play and then, play some more.There is nothing like the live music of Hornsby & The Noisemakers.So, obviously, a live recording is heaven for the Hornsby fan, but I would say that it is heaven for anyone who loves a great and passionate jam.
Sounds like a good time...
I've never really been a big Hornsby fan. I was familiar with the singles and liked them, but he remained under my radar. But I kept catching him in performances on TV and thought, "This guy is an outstanding talent." So when I saw this one I figured this would be a great opportunity to hear him cut loose. Well, that's exactly what he does on this double set. A true Hornsby fan could give you a better breakdown of how this compares to his other work, but from a newcomer's standpoint, this is an excellent example of a multi-talented musician who doesn't limit himself to a sound; he blends rock and jazz into an amazing package. Not a five star for me as he occasionally overindulges on the free form jazz, but this is a nice listen. Crank it up a bit to really appreciate where Hornsby is willing to take his music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Adult Contemporary    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

The 38 tracks on the two-CD set, "The J. Geils Band Anthology," were arranged out of chronological order so the first 10 songs on the second disc could all be live recordings. Those songs give you a good sense of what the second set at a J. Geils show sounded like back in the days when the band was the most exciting blues-rock band in the land. On stage, the sextet would expand the boundaries of the blues to include everything from Stax and Motown to jackhammer rhythms and screaming solos, and that roadhouse party attitude carried over into a series of hit studio recordings. --Read more

Features

• Box set
• Live

Reviews (16)

Almost Perfect
This is almost a 5 star collection.Had they included the John Lee Hooker song "Serves you right to Suffer", which was a show stopper in each show, I could have given it a 5th star. Despite this, it is a must have for anyone who had the luck to see one of their live shows.
You don't like this...you got no soul
I remember when I got my first glimpse of the J. Geils Band.It was Don Kirshner's Rock Concert on ABC late one weekend night.Here it all was - rock 'n roll, blues, soul, charisma, energy and a flat-out dead-on sprint by a little band from Boston to absolutley (as they phrased it) blow your face out.I was speechless.
Wow! High Energy Blues and Rock
If you are looking for high energy, mega bpm rock and blues, you've found the right CD. J Geils was founded in 1967 and was driven by three personalities, Peter "Wolf" Blankfield (vocals), Magic Dick Salwitz (on harp), and Jerome "J" Geils (on guitar). Wolf wrote many of the songs, but it was the driving harmonica, the incredible beat, and the blueze material which made their success.
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Hard Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Popular Music    7. Rock    8. Rock & Roll    9. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered
• Live

Reviews (22)

Cream's Expiration Date
Back in the day, one of the easiest ways to start an argument was to pose the question, "Who is the best guitarist of them all, Hendrix or Clapton?"In confidence, even Clapton would probably admit that Hendrix was technically untouchable, and completely revolutionary in his approach.But Clapton, also a virtuoso, was nipping at his heels.
Second-best Cream album
While it's unfortunate that Cream had to break up, at least they went out with a bang and not with a Led Zeppelin-style fizzle. In fact, I'd have to say it's my second-favorite Cream album, behind only Wheels of Fire.
Cream says "Goodbye" and goes out on their own terms
Cream followed "Wheels of Fire," their 1968 double-album that had a studio disc and a live disc with more of the same, only less with "Goodbye."That was because this 1969 album offers three live tracks and three studio tracks.This does not quite work out to one live side and one studio side, because the three live tracks are all longer then the three studio tracks, so the first two are on side one and then the third is on side two with the studio tracks.The object lesson here is pretty clear: Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker enjoyed the freedom of playing on stage and letting Clapton go off into extended guitar solos that simply did not work in the studio.No wonder that the next two Cream albums were both live albums.Then again, the main irony here is that Cream had already broken up by the time "Goodbye" came out (that sort of explains the title, huh?).
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. British Blues    4. British Psychedelia    5. Hard Rock    6. Pop    7. Psychedelic    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Explicit Lyrics
• Live

Reviews (1)

Great Concerts !!!
I bought both of these live shows on the official BM website they are great. Excellent sound quality I would Highly Recommend!!! Also check out "Live In Detroit" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Hard Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Proto-Punk    6. Psychedelic    7. Rock    8. Rock & Roll    9. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

This is the seventh live Stones album and the second to appear in three years. Now, what do you want to bet the three men who've appeared on every one of them--Mick, Keith, and Charlie--couldn't name them without a cheat sheet? Chances are, they won't remember this one in five years. Culled from the Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (62)

Thankfully, no standards
I give this a three based on the tight performances and the fact that there are NO versions of "Start Me Up," "Brown Sugar," "Jumping Jack Flash," or "Honky Tonk Women."
Questions you should ask yourself before buying:
1.Do I like the Rolling Stones?
What Again?
Their 7th live album recording? How much money do these guys need? At this point when I heard it,redundency was a word that came to mind. Hey Mick, forget the hair plugs and don't bother w/ facelifts. Hang it up and let some new guys make a buck!!
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Hard Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock    6. Rock & Roll    7. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Live
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (8)

Dead Deliver in Classic Late-Period Show
I'm no Dead-at-all-costs fanatic, though I appreciate the band, Jerry's evident musicianship, and have a dozen or so live releases, most of the studio albums, and a bunch of the excellent reissue series of Jerry's solo live and studio work.
Grateful Dead's Best DVD Release to Date Yet
Smokin show.Smokin setlist.Smoking production by the GD staff, producing this DVD.Jerry was Mr. Smiley all night.Brent was at his absolute best, and Bob was his usual rock-star self.This one is an absolute treasure and must buy if you like the Grateful Dead

Great CD
This is the Grateful Dead at their finest.The setlist is awesome...they always rocked when they played Rich Stadium! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Country-Rock    3. Folk-Rock    4. Jam Bands    5. Pop    6. Psychedelic    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. United States of America   

Features

• Box set
• Live

Reviews (31)

Eric's Best Band
Being a long time Clapton fan, I can say with subjective certainty that the Tusla backup band, as heard on this retrospective, was the best that ever stood behind the man. In many cases, he stands in the background while the rhythym section just cooks- "Little Wing" and "Badge" serving as notable examples. Terry is superb both as a rhythym and lead guitarist...never again, not with Albert Lee, not even with Mark Knopfler, would the interplay be THIS smooth, THIS breathtaking, THIS raw. Oldaker is reminiscent of Levon Helm or Gene Parsons, and leads that band charging through numbers with his perfect touch. Dick Sims, on organ, sounds incredible, with his playing hovering between the background and foreground, much like Clarence White's guitar playing in the Byrds. It's there, and it's perfect in every case.Same for Radle- by this time, Radle had been Eric's longest standing bassist and knew Clapton's habbits. Listen to how spotlessly he counters them. And Elliman and Levy provide perfect harmony.
Eric's Best Band
Being a long time Clapton fan, I can say with subjective certainty that the Tusla backup band, as heard on this retrospective, was the best that ever stood behind the man. In many cases, he stands in the background while the rhythym section just cooks- "Little Wing" and "Badge" serving as notable examples. Terry is superb both as a rhythym and lead guitarist...never again, not with Albert Lee, not even with Mark Knopfler, would the interplay be THIS smooth, THIS breathtaking, THIS raw. Oldaker is reminiscent of Levon Helm or Gene Parsons, and leads that band charging through numbers with his perfect touch. Dick Sims, on organ, sounds incredible, with his playing hovering between the background and foreground, much like Clarence White's guitar playing in the Byrds. It's there, and it's perfect in every case.Same for Radle- by this time, Radle had been Eric's longest standing bassist and knew Clapton's habbits. Listen to how spotlessly he counters them. And Elliman and Levy provide perfect harmony.
If you really love EC
This collection shows Eric at his best and his worst.These were days fueled by a lot of alcohol...and on some songs it shows.But for the most part this is a great collection of some of his live work in that era.Some of the jams are wonderful, "Badge" and "Eyesight."He's simply magic with the guitar. However, some, like "Crossroads," sound like he doesn't know which of the twelve blues bars he's supposed to be singing in (that was an unintentional pun.)Juxtapose this with "24 Nights" - this collection is a gritty, loose sound, while the latter is more of a clean, polished performance (that was an intentional pun).I love EC and hope he continues to release his live vault...no matter which of his phases it come from. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Album Rock    3. Blues-Rock    4. Box Sets (Audio Only)    5. British Blues    6. Guitar    7. Hard Rock    8. Pop    9. Pop/Rock    10. Popular Music    11. Rock    12. Rock/Pop    13. Vocals   

Features

• Live
• Original recording remastered
• Import

Reviews (11)

Mott the Dog 210th year Anniversary Edition
At last; a proper release for this masterpiece of a live album in tribute to one of the great rock'n'roll bands of the mid-seventies . Mott the Hoople "Live" was originally released in 1974 , but because of time restraints, only part of two concerts were put out as the first vinyl bound release . This consisted of five songs from a concert of their week long residency at the Uris theatre Broadway May 1974, and three songs from their end of tour Christmas gigs 1973 , at London's Hammersmith Odeon, hardly satisfactory . As none of the songs ran in order , there were two songs midway through each side "Rose" and"Rest In Peace " which were used in the sets to give the members of the band a bit of a breather from all the leaping about, neither side had an opening number , and side one ended with a truncated version of the final encore, whilst side two closed with the end of the set proper, so although there were plenty of flashes of excitement , nothing like the full thing.
Interesting for Mott-o-philes
I've always liked the original release of this live album from Mott the Hoople, but this goes a bit farther, presenting the complete recordings from two different dates and venues.The new songs from the Broadway venue include:Born Late 58, One of the Boys, Hymn for the Dudes, Marionette, and a medley of Driving Sister / Crash Street Kids / Violence.The new songs from the Hammersmith gig include:Driving Sister, Sucker, Sweet Jane, Roll Away the Stone, All the Young Dudes, and Walking With a Mountain.If you are following me, there are some songs that appear in two versions:Driving Sister, Violence, Sucker, All the Young Dudes, and Walking with a Mountain.Good news: some of the new stuff is a delight to hear, particularlly Marionette and Hymn for the Dudes.Bad news:I can see why drummer Dale Griffin left some of these off the original release;Ian Hunter's singing is occasionally flat, and the band is somewhat sloppy compared to a live concert from today.But I suspect that this release is closer to the actual performance than a lot of live recordings done now (with endless studio overdubs). And these boys sure could ROCK!!! So if you want a powerful live document of Mott the Hoople, warts and all, circa 1974, this is for you!

Live Mott, wish I saw the concert(s)
Any classic rock fan, especially the fans who love "live" classic rock would enjoy this special release.The more you play it, the more you will like it.I also recommend Ian Hunter's "Welcome To The Club", another live release with Mick Ronson.You won't be disappointed with either release.Play it LOUD ! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. England    3. Glam Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Proto-Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock & Roll    9. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Live
• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (25)

Not on the level of Live Cream but still pretty good
Released in 1972, Live Cream Volume 2 was the second posthumous live album released after the supergroup announced their breakup in 1968. Apparently, the band was still missed as like their first live album, Live Cream, it would reach the Top 40 in the U.S. However, the difference between them is evident almost from the get go. While Live Cream showed the band at their magical jamming best, Volume 2 reins in the excitement as the live tracks stay close to the originals. That's not to say that it isn't a strong album as the excellent interplay between Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and Eric Clapton is still intact and the performances are still very strong. The opening track, "Deserted Cities of the Heart", is by far the most energetic song here as the band's performance sounds like a train that threatens to run off the tracks. Even though it clocks in at less than 5 minutes, the performance makes you look forward to the passion and experimentation that made the live disc of Wheels of Fire, Live Cream, and even the live songs on Goodbye so special. However, the band plays it straight for the next four tracks, particularly on "White Room" and "Politician."The album does redeem itself a little with Clapton's wah-wah solo on "Tales of Brave Ulysses" and the long closing jam on "Sunshine of Your Love." The closer "Steppin' Out" is not only Clapton's showcase but also the main reason to pick up the album. Easily one of their best live tracks, Clapton lets out a long bluesy solo for the first 4 minutes as Baker and Bruce change things up throughout. However, the best is yet to come. While Bruce takes a seat, Clapton lets out an a capella solo for around a minute before Baker slowly works his way in. As the track continues, Clapton's playing changes moods throughout while Baker's drumming provides the perfect accompaniment before reaching its dynamic end at the 13:38 mark. All told, while this is a fine live release, it's not quite on the level of their other live releases. However, if you can't enough of Cream, this won't disappoint you.

Subtract a star for Steppin' Out
Sorry, but it's true. Steppin' is a clever combination of long (nearly fourteen minutes) and boring (It loses steam about three minutes in). But once we get past that one minor gripe, this is actually a good album. They burn through Deserted Cities of the Heart, Tales of Brave Ulysses, Politician and Sunshine of Your Love like it's nobody's business and cut an enjoyable version of White Room (needs the cellos, though). Too bad Steppin' stretches for an eternity-and-a-half, the rest of the album is fine and highly recommended.

More playing live and improvisin' from Cream's glory days
What is the difference between "Live Cream, Volume 1" and "Live Cream, Volume 2"?My argument would be that this 1972 album is a bit more rock oriented than its predecessor, which tended more to the blue songs in the band's repertoire.The common denominator is that the power trio of Eric Clapton on guitar, Jack Bruce on bass, and Ginger Baker on drums approach their music with the same blend of improvisation and showmanship that jazz musicians bring to their live performances.Cream only put our four albums while the band was together, and they had already split up by the time that last one came out.But half the tracks on those last two albums were recorded live rather than in the studio and with these two posthumous live albums added to your library the live/studio division ends up being pretty much right down the middle.
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. British Blues    4. British Psychedelia    5. Hard Rock    6. Pop    7. Psychedelic    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

The eagerly awaited return of the Becker/Fagan axis was widely viewed as an anticlimax in concert, and the same faults that dogged these 1993/94 tour dates--predictable repertoire, play-it-safe arrangements--are reprised here. It's fine as a tour memento, but these dozen classics sound tired and lackluster next to their still-potent studio counterparts. Nice choice, though, as an Christmas present for the pony-tailed dad on junior's shopping list.Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (50)

Great renditions along a theme - Live Album
If you like Steely Dan and have heard the many songs played on the radio - this album is for you.Completed as a compilation of live concert recordings, the band enjoys the freedom that live settings allow.
The Best
In my opinion, this is the best of all Steely Dan's output. It features amazing versions of my favorite tunes by some of my favorite musicians helping out. If you like these guys, you'll love this CD.

Nice but short...
I think that they should have had Denny Dias and Jeff Baxter play at some of the shows to capture the early flavor of their sound versus revamping as many bands do due to playing it for years (there are tapes from radio concerts in the early 70s out there), some of the original session musicians from the later albums, and presented it on 2 CDs because a lot is missing from it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Jazz-Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Soft Rock   

Features

• Live

Reviews (21)

Introduced to Steppenwolf by a Nice Baptist Boy
I led a nice, sheltered life before I entered college in 1968.I was a classical music and classic rock fan who had not discovered the pleasures of groups like Steppenwolf.Infact, I turned my nose up at such such "degenerate" music.A boy I dated, who later became a baptist preacher, introduced me to this music.my first and most favorite purchase was "Steppenwolf Live!".I still love this music, even though I am now a 56-year-old grandmother and highschool social studies teacher.Infact, I am planning a unit on protest music using "Monster" and "Draft Resister" as examples, along with more modern examples.My students will write thier own protest songs as an assessment project at the end of the unit.

A mixed bad, good though
There was always something hokey about Steppenwolf.Their coolness was contrived, I don't think anyone in my neighborhood took them too seriously.Comparing Steppenwolf to let's say Jefferson Airplane would be like comparing The Monkees with The Beatles.But on the Steppenwolf Live album they acheived something a little bit above their usual guilty pleasure status.Yeah, it's not a true live album, blah, blah, blah, but whatever applause tracks they added later doesn't interfere (too much anyway) with the good cuts.I mean a lot of people bought Got Live if you want it by the Stones.There were several fake live albums in those days.But there are some good cuts here.Tighten up your Wig, Draft Resister, Power Play, Twisted, From Here to There Eventually and yes, the monster version of Monster.All of these to my ears sound much better than their big hits at the end of the disc, Magic Carpet Ride, The Pusher and Born to Be Wild.Get the original studio version on one of their dozens of greatest hits packages to hear the hits.As for the lyrics, well they are what you could call Blue Collar Activist or Radical 60's for Dummies.However I will say if you look at the words of Monster in the latter half of the suite, you might think it is from 2006... "And though (America's) past has its share of injustice/Kind was the spirit in many a way/ But its protectors and friends have been sleeping/Now it's a monster and will not obey."
Of course it sounds better live

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Subjects:  1. Acid Rock    2. Garage Rock    3. Hard Rock    4. Heavy Metal    5. Pop    6. Pop-Metal    7. Rock    8. Rock & Roll    9. Rock/Pop    10. V/a Compilations   

Features

• Live

Reviews (50)

Long time fan finds only disappointment
This geezer, who owns vinyl going back to My Generation, was disappointed. You can read all the glowing reviews here (I sure did) and be swayed. Or you can save your dough and go back to the Live at Leeds 14 track version, which includes many of the same songs, just in a more stirring performance. And, as a bonus, you get to skip the perfunctory Tommy stuff completely. It just ain't worth it. From the sadly missing horns in the overture to the strained vocals throughout, this Tommy is a hobbled version of the original.
WOW !!!!WHAT A GEM!!!!
When i first heard this cd i was shocked on how good the recording sounds. It really captures the band way back in 1970.I dont write many reviews but this is one of those cds that gets better and better even after that first listen and I can remember just thinking wow we are lucky to have this recording. Pete townshend guitar sound is amazing.This is one of those cds that brings you right to the front row. Thats the best way to describe it!I wish more bands had great recordings like this. And its a double cd!! i never realized how great the who was in 1970.

The Album Masterpiece and Amazing Concert for 600,000 people: Astonishing
The album that changed the course and career of this unbelievable band in their live performances. The only word for this album is only one and non more nor less than: astonishing.
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. British Invasion    3. Hard Rock    4. Mod    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Popular Music    8. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    9. Rock    10. Rock & Roll    11. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

This 1970 double LP proved to be about as good an approximation of the singular methodology of a Doors concert as was possible in the pre-video era. Alternately short and to the point (like the AM radio hits "Touch Me," "People Are Strange," and "Hello, I Love You," among those featured here) and long and meandering (like such open-ended excursions as "When the Music's Over" and "The Celebration of the Lizard"), Morrison and crew displayed the full slate of their estimable powers as both musicians and motivators--continuing to daringly break through whatever sonic and thematic doors they opened. Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (33)

Get 'In Concert' Instead
Do not buy this CD "Absolutely Live" by the Doors. Pay the extra few dollars more & get the double CD, "In Concert" instead. The reason, the "In Concert" double disk has the live albums "Absolutely Live," "Alive She Cried" & "Live At The Hollywood Bowl" all in one package with one exception: an unreleased live version of 'The End' (the main reason to get that double disk just for that song alone!). Get it & it'll be money worth spent.

Great, But Could Have Been Better
While this album is a lot better than the EP "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" it's obvious that they left a few songs out. They have only a few songs from actual albums (they don't even have Light My Fire) and then segments from Celebration of the Lizard. This is a fantastic album if you ignore the previous detail about the song choices; Morrison's vocals are outstanding. I recently saw Ray Manzarek and Robbie Krieger live with their new band Riders on the Storm and they still kick a$$.
Classic Live Material
"Absolutely Live" well chronicles The Doors ability as a live band through some of their most blues based songs, as well as long epics displaying Morrison's poetry and the crews overall instrumental talent. Although in some ways misrepresenting the group's efforts in the studio, there is no question that this is an exceptional set of live songs, all performed very well.
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Popular Music    4. Psychedelic    5. Rock    6. Rock & Roll    7. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Live
• Import

Reviews (11)

Regardless what other reviewers said...I like it
I found the later copy that has all 17 tracks on a single cd...was a British Import.