Across A Wire: Live In New York City [Live]

Counting Crows | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 14, 1998)
• Original Release Date: July 14, 1998
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000008USI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (142 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,492 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

COUNTING CROWS Across A Wire (Rare 1998 limited edition Taiwanese 2-CD album set featuring 9-tracks recorded live at Chelsea Studios New York August 12th 1997 plus 12-tracks recorded live at Hammerstein Ballroom New York November 6th 1997 presented in fold-out digipak picture sleeve + unique wrap-around obi-strip)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but I don't like the concept..., June 19, 2000

By 

J. DEATS (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Across A Wire: Live In New York City (Audio CD)

What you get here is two cds from completely different takes on the Counting Crows music. Both recorded during the tour for the bands second album "Recovering the Satellites"

Disc 1 is from their VH1 StoryTellers performance, it's an excellent CD, with great acoustic versions of the some of the Counting Crows best songs. Only problem is they edited out all the stories (big mistake!)

Disc 2 - This is most of the concert Counting Crows plays on MTV Live at the 10 Spot, completely unlike the other CD, this CD contains all "electric" music, and is ment to portray the Counting Crows ability to play heavy, only problem is the recording quality isn't so great, they purposely didn't mix it to give it that "bootleg" feel, but in truth it needs something. Some of the songs come out good, "Angels of the Silences" for example sounds great when performed with this level of distortion and energy, but a lot of the songs are missing the empty space emotional element that makes them great.

The concept here was to show the diversity of the counting Crows style, unfortunately this is more of marketing ploy than anything else. Since this albums release Adam Druitz has said he wasn't very happy with this album and has since released two limited edition live CDs on the bands web site:

"By The Time We Got to WoodStock" "Face the Promised Land"

If you can find either of these you'll be in for a real treat, and you'll hear just how good this band is live.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING---EXCELLENT, December 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Across A Wire: Live In New York City (Audio CD)

Adam Duritz and the rest of the CC's are simply amazing as live performers. If you have not seen or heard them live, I highly recommend doing so, as it will make the rest of their recordings come alive. The Crows are able to produce an entirely new sound for each of their songs so that, while they are still playing the same old songs, they almost sound "new." If you like the passion with which Adam sings on their regular CD's, you'll LOVE him live. He causes the listener to vicariously experience the music, so that they walk away with a completely new interpretation for every verse, chorus, and overall song (perhaps maybe only an appreciation for their music, that formerly could not be established by listening only to their records). Personally, I was sort of so-so about the Crows before I saw or heard them live. When I went to their concert they instantly became my favorite band; every song became more real to me, and I can now better interpret the rest of their music. I highly recommend this live CD because it makes the rest of their music SO much better.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Contrast illustrates depth, conjures up images of greatness, July 23, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Atlanta,GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Across A Wire: Live In New York City (Audio CD)

An interesting twist the Crows have taken on this double CD. Including many of the same songs on both discs all but insures that many of the more passive music fans will decide against purchasing this collection. Alas, that is not the focus of the musicians behind this moving production. In what is essentially a gift to fans, the Counting Crows have created an album that captures the full range of their capabilities. Adam Duritz never abandons the trust he seems to have established with his listeners on the many modified versions of the band's most popular songs. Although the music on the tracks changes significantly on the acoustic first CD, the spirit behind the songs doesn't. "Mr. Jones" still possesses the emotion packed into the electric version, and "Have You Seen Me Lately" is suddenly altered from its pointed tone to an introspective ballad. Needless to say, the first CD is truly memorable. On disc 2, if you have never been to a Count! ing Crows concert, you are given a taste of the energy which the Crows bring with them to the stage. The rapport between musician and fan is obvious on this CD. The adrenaline and emotion expended on "Murder of One" and "The Rain King" are testaments to the dedication this band puts into their work. Allow yourself to listen to the alterations in the songs with an open mind, and realize that only honest musicians with a vested interest in providing their absolute best for their followers would make such changes.

As you anticipate their 3rd studio album, enjoy the growth and evolution of the Counting Crows illustrated on this project.