Customer Reviews

Alive & Wired (Dig)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Killer double CD with 30 songs. Though it would be nearly impossible to capture all of the energy Rhett and the boys generate during a live performance, this collection comes pretty damn close. These are great, great songs by a great, great band. My only disappointment with this collection? The omission of "Book of Poems," probably my favorite Old 97's song ever. Would've like to have seen "Victoria" on here, too, but on the band's website Ken Bethea says it was omitted "because we didn't get a great version and it's on that sampler that came out with Satellite Rides." Even with those two omissions, this is still a CD you'll be playing over and over and over again.

As I stood, sweating, at the front of the mob on a hot Saturday night in June in Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas, I remember thinking, "how in the world can they create a live CD recorded in this tin shack that does any justice to what it's really like to experience them live?" But as I sit here listening it play through my laptop and $15 computer speakers, I'm hearing it. I'm hearing the energy of the Old 97's. And I'm hearing my favorite word I always use to describe their music: rollicking. It is carefree and joyous. I think what I like best, surprisingly, is hearing all the imperfections; the missed intros, flubbed words, and occasional clangy chords all make it endearing and real, not amatuerish. My 5 and 3-year old sons and I will enjoy long hours of air-banding to this one.

I was a little warry of the live CD thing at first, because I thought there was no way in hell that some sound guys could capture the excitement and spontinaity of an Old 97's live show, but they did a very good job. When I listen to the CDs it transports me back to the shows I saw in the spring and summer, and what a great time I had. The Old 97's are by far the best live band out there right now, and the songs never fail to put a smile on my face!

So thank-you Old 97's for releasing such an awesome set. My ears and memory thank you as well.

They don't play it, they are it.....Not only are the songs so instantly hummably catchy, don't look past the amazing lyrics of Rhett Miller. In a world with Bon Joki being superstars, it's time for these guys to grab the ring they so richly deserve.. FOOKIN' WONDERFUL CD...GET IT, LOVE IT.

an honest & accurate variety of songs that spans their 10+ year career. maybe ppl who don't like the selection of songs prefers one old 97's style to another -- there are a few. some songs are more country twang-ish, while others are more mainstream and poppish. greatest attribute of this CD: next to no audience noise. greatest attribute of old 97's: they are AMAZING live.
-K

While the mix is lacking, the overall feel of an Old 97's live show is very much intact. Taking that into consideration (the band is pound for pound the most entertaining pure music performance in rock today)and given the overall excellence of the music itself, this is an album worth owning.

I think everyone agrees that the band is a hot live act and I think this CD will be a wonderful introduction for anyone not familiar with the band. But, the mix is true to what you get live and what you get on most live albums. I hear Ken's guitar at a reasonable level throughout the CD and disagree that he should be featured. Yeah they could have bumped one or two solos up, but hey, often at a live show the soundman forgets that bump. What you get on this CD is all their best songs (sadly no "Victoria"), fan favorites and deep cuts played with the kind of beautiful slop that would make the Stones proud. Now if you want some sheen and an overly mixed live album then check out Frampton Comes Alive or KISS Alive II.

This is a great CD, and as a huge Old 97's fan, I'm thrilled to have it. However, it sounds like a good bootleg, not an officially released album. The DVD released earlier in the year is way more representative of the feeling of an actual show.

Love the Old 97s. Anyone who has seen their shows knows this is the go to album for them. I'm sorry but the studio cuts just don't do them justice. Too perfect. This album gives you their true live performances, flaws and all.. but the ENERGY! Have a couple beers, learn the lyrics and have one hell of a time at their shows.

Old 97's fans should like this live performance, at least I do. It is nice to hear how they sound live. Of course, it is better to be there in person.