Awake: The Best of Live (Deluxe Version - CD/DVD) [LIVE]

Live

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 2, 2004)
• Original Release Date: November 2, 2004
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B00064AF78
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,592 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Ed Kowalczyk and his band mates guitarist Chad Taylor, bassist Patrick Dahlheimer, and drummer Chad Gracey, first performed together over 17 years ago at their middle school talent show in York, PA. Now at the tender age of 32, with over 20 million albums sold, LIVE continue to be a major musical force. Their success includes two #1 albums on the Billboard Top 200 album chart (Throwing Copper and Secret Samadhi).

Product Description
"Awake, The Best of LIVE", a deluxe 19-song compilation CD spanning the entire 13-year recording history of the acclaimed rock band from York, Pennsylvania. The package also includes a DVD containing 22 music videos going back to the band's 1991 debut.

The CD compilation includes, "We Deal in Dreams," a previously-unreleased track from LIVE's 1994 Throwing Copper sessions. Also, includes a spirited cover of the Johnny Cash classic " I Walk The Line."

The lavish packaging includes a 14-panel four-color fold-out booklet of photos spanning the band’s career, as well as extensive liner notes and commentary on each album by LIVE lead singer Ed Kowalczyk.

The BONUS DVD boasts a comprehensive representation of LIVE's history on video. It includes 22 videos along with a 30 minute interview commentary from Kowalczyk. Videos included are: "Pain Lies on the Riverside" "Pain Lies On The Riverside (live performance)" "Operation Spirit" "Operation Spirit" (live performance) "Selling the Drama" "I Alone" "Lightning Crashes" "White, Discussion" "Lakini's Juice" "Freaks" "Turn My Head" (from director Jake Scott) "Turn My Head" (from director Mary Lambert) "The Dolphin's Cry" "Run to the Water" "They Stood Up For Love" "Overcome" "Simple Creed" "Like a Soldier" "Heaven" "Heaven" (concept version)

The DVD also contains two never-before-seen videos: "Ghost," and "Run Away" (with Shelby Lynne).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great buy for both old and new fans., December 26, 2004

By	The Wickerman (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

With many greatest hits albums, you just have a collection of songs from albums you already own (provided you're a big fan), and there's not much reason to buy it unless you're new to the band. However, Live's new greatest hits package holds something for everyone.

At over 70 minutes in length, the album contains tracks from all 6 of Live's studio releases, including nearly half of "Throwing Copper". The song selection is excellent, and I don't think that anything important was left out (I would have put "Simple Creed" on there instead of "Nobody Knows", but that's it). But wait, there's more. In addition to this fine collection of old favorites, we get new stuff as well, including a new version of the rare track "Dealing Dreams" (now entitled "We Deal in Dreams"), an alternate version of "Run Away", featuring guest vocals from Shelby Lynne, and a cover of Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line". And, if all of that weren't enough, you also get a bonus DVD, with all of the band's music videos.

This is a damn fine buy, whether you're already into Live or not. Highly recommended.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for old and new fans alike, November 2, 2004

By	Robert Tanory (Baton Rouge, LA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Live is my favorite band, and after having bought all of their studio albums, seen all their videos, and heard most of their b-side songs, I couldn't resist buying this CD/DVD as well. I'm so glad I did - there is a level of depth to this package that is hard to find elsewhere.

The CD takes you on a trip from their earliest years to the present, and listening to them mature as a band is a remarkable experience. The DVD includes a 30-minute interview with Ed, who explains what some of the songs mean to him, why he wrote some of them, how the songs or videos came to be, etc. The DVD also starts from their earliest videos and progresses to the present.

I've had a chance to hear "We Deal in Dreams" before and it has always been one of my favorite b-sides from Live, but the version on the CD is different from anything else I've heard before. I really liked it and I hope Live gets a lot of positive feedback on this song, as I hope they release some of their other b-sides.

All in all, there's a lot to enjoy on this album. If you've never bought a Live album before, this is a great place to start! If you're a long-time fan like me, it is a great compliment to the rest of the Live collection. Now if Live will just schedule another tour date in New Orleans....

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Live is a phenomenon, December 31, 2005

By	C. Costas - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Awake shows that Live is still awake and ready to make wonderful music. This album is excellent; a must for all Live's fans. Awake includes songs from all albums putting Live's history in the context of a music album. To me, Live's second release "Throwing Copper" is a phenomenon; I don't think that a human being will ever be able to make such a unique rock album that combines sophisticated lyrics, catchy melodies, powerful sound and beautiful voice. The Distance To Here and Secret Samadhi come hand in hand as Live's second best, albeit the obvious difference in terms of how they sound. Birds of Pray is much better than V, and Mental Jewelry has some very good songs. If this album was not acoustic but of heavy sound like Throwing Copper it would be fantastic. V is experimental. When I first listened to it, I almost cried. However, four years later I must admit that there are some songs that I really enjoy: Deep enough, Transmit your love, Forever may not be long enough, Overcome and Hero of love.

Live is one of the most underrated bands ever. Apart from the excellent sound, lyrics and voice that are identified in their songs, Live is unique for its complexity and variation. There are other good bands out there but most suffer from the lack of variation.

Based on some songs that have been leaked, Live's upcoming album sounds more like Birds of Pray, but still is different and catchy; enjoy on the 21st of March.