Customer Reviews

Alive in America

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Ths songs performed by Jack Bruce Band and his line up are great, but the quality of the recording and general live gig are boring and seem like plugged out without that electric typical feel for Jack Bruce. Though his excellent album of 1980 "Ive always wanted" and 1997 release "Live at old grey" might suggest that it is interesting performance I'd rather recommend to be prudent with that CD and not to expect an overwhelming live. Of the similar date are 2 bootlegs with Jack Bruce "Live at bottom line" and "Live in NYC" and they are much much better. I keep "Vol.9" in my collection only because JB is great.

Although by no means essential, this CD fills in a small gap in your Jack Bruce collection. Quite frankly, live Jack can be a mixed bag anytime, and this is one of the most consistent live recordings of Jack available. This is not a CD to begin investigating Jack Bruce's career, but rather a suppliment to the I've Always Wanted to Do This album done around 1980. If you have a preference for your Scottish bass players in a live setting, you will find this amongst his best.

The rather hollow sounding mix that permeates this early 1980s recording is shameful considering Jack Bruce's deserved reputation as the bass master. It's a stuggle to get past the poor sound, which is a shame because in a few spots, this allstar band really clicks.

Mr. Bruce assembled what, on paper anyway, should be a great cast with Clem Clempson playing guitars, Billy Cobham pounding drums, and David Sancious gliding across the keyboards. Yet this quartet often sounds tentative, even restrained, when they should be going for the kill. Hence, White Room sounds pale, Clem Clemson's Blues Solo seems perfunctory, and Train Time is just plain grating. Post War, which I really like on Harmony Row, wears out its welcome here at nearly 11 minutes.

There are certainly some moments to savor, and the band clicks in Escape to the Royal Wood (On Ice) and Morning Story.

Still, I expect only diehard Jack Bruce fans (and I consider myself to be one) should opt to add this recording to their home catalogs.

The "Concert Classics" series encompasses live recordings that are taken from the soundboard and have not been remixed. The CD's are not bootlegs, but are issued under a license agreement.

The Jack Bruce and Friends lineup consists of Bruce (bass, vocals), drummer Billy Cobham, guitarist Clem Clempson and keyboardist David Sancious, who were touring to support their 1980 release, I've Always Wanted to Do This.

Four of the 13 tracks are from the album, with Bruce delivering a classic Cream number - White Room - and the band in full flight on a hot cover of the Booker T. Jones/William Bell song, Born Under a Bad Sign. The mix is rough in parts, but it must be expected due to the nature of the release.

An oftentimes overlooked part of Bruce's distinguished career because the "supergroup" lasted just one album and tour, this release is an excellent way to hear the music do the talking.