Customer Reviews

The Best of Foreigner Live

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I've always thought you could tell a truly talented band by their live albums. Strip away the 'studio magic' and what you're left with is raw music. With this album, Foreigner definitely proved their point--that they are one of the greatest classic rock bands ever.
This album is absolutely amazing. In fact, it's near flawless. From the excellent guitar and bass playing to the rhythmic drums, from Lou Gramm's outstanding voice to the saxophone that plays and dances gracefully over the guitars, from the rockin' classics (like Cold as Ice) to the beautiful ballads, this album is incredible.
This is a must have for any Foreigner fan. In fact, any fan of classic rock should own it. Many of the songs actually sound better live, which proves the band's capability.
My favorite part of this album was the version of "Fool For You Anyway." As Mick Jones played a catchy little riff, Gramm's voice glides over the notes in this classy love-song type tune. The rest of the band is good too, but Gramm is what really makes this classic shine.
I recommend this strongly to anyone looking to buy a Foreigner album, or even anyone with a taste in classic rock. You will not be disappointed.

I've been a Foreigner fan since the very first album came on on vinal (I know, I'm dating myself to say that!) These guys always were a top class act. From the beginning they were different. They had 6 guys in the band for the first 3 albums. Then, after a few members went their own ways, they had 4 in the group when they recorded "Foreigner 4." From then on out, they bsaically stayed with 4 guys and used other people to play on the albums & in the live shows. In fact, if you take a good look at the pcitures inside this disc, sometimes you see 6 guys on stage & sometimes you see 7. Mic Jones did this because he always wanted to keep the sound of the instrumentation intact.

During the group's heydey, 1977-1985, Bud Prager was their manager. Before Foreigner came along, he managed another rock & roll band. After they split up, he swore to himself he'd never manage another act. Well, I for one am glad he never stuck to that. In addition to managing Foreigner, he also produced this disc. It was co-produced, engineered, and mixed by Frank Filipetti.

Between Bud & Frank, they certainly knew what they were doing when they put this together. These songs were recorded at various locations, on different tours, & during different years. But if you didn't read that on the liner notes, you'd swear these songs were all in 1 show in 1 evening! For example, most of the songs were recorded at either arenas or stadiums. But 2 of them were recorded in a small theater here in Chicago & 1 was recorded in a small club in Washington, D.C. Again, the flow of the songs & the evenness of the crowd in between each song makes it flow like 1 whole concert.

I've read some of the reviews about the double disc, "Jke Box Heroes" that Rhino Released. A number of people complained that the versions of the songs used on that collection were the single version, not the full length lp version. Of the 3 producers of that collection, Mick Jones & Lou Gramm were 2 of them. So they had a say in what was used. Well, good news folks. This live set saves the day! There are 14 song on this collection, but it clocks in at 74+ minutes of music. Why? Many of these songs are longer than both the single versions and the LP versions. For example, the best song on here is "I Want To Know What Love is." It clocks in at 6:11!!! For those of you out there that do want longer music, this live set is more bang for your buck.
Aside from all of that, most of these songs do sound better than the original versions (which are excellent, too). I say that because these live versions are much grittier, raw, and have a bit more kick than the original versions.

Get yourself a copy of this, sit back, and enjoy the show. To Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, thanks for memories!

Sincerely,
Pastor Roger
Chicago, USA

Foreigner's "The Best Of Live" is a compilation of live tracks recorded over the years between 1977 and 1985. It is also solid proof that Foreigner were a *major* powerhouse in concert. Singer Lou Gramm, guitarist Mick Jones & company totally rock out on such favorites as "Double Vision," "The Damage Is Done," "Dirty White Boy," "Head Games," "Juke Box Hero," "Urgent,"and "Feels Like The First Time." They also handle the softer stuff live with style as well, such as "Fool For You Anyway," "Waiting For A Girl Like You," and "I Want To Know What Love Is" (featuring accompanyment by a gospel choir). The only disappointment is that there's no live version of "Hot Blooded," but then again, there IS a live version of that hit song on Foreigner's greatest hits package, "Records," and it also appears as a bonus track on the new "Double Vision" remaster, so I can't really complain. Foreigner were--and are--one of rock's finest bands. "The Best Of Live" is an awesome document of what Lou, Mick & the boys could do on the concert stage. Put it on and rock out with Foreigner!

This is the greatest CD ever. You can't get better then Lou Gramm's voice. On Urgent (#11) it has to be the best saxaphone and electric guitar solo ever done before. It has all their hits like Double Vision, Cold as Ice, Head Games, Juke Box Hero, Urgent, I want to know what love is, and feels like the first time. In the beginning of Juke Box Hero it is great with the Germans getting psyched up. It has to be the best hard rock song on the album! If you like good rock and roll this is the CD to buy, it is a must!

I can not argue with anything being said and love the album and the band......Foreigner was my favorite band in '77 hitting me hard right away with their debut album and my senior year in high school. I still know all the words to the songs on this album and from time to time sing along with the volume blasting. So, let em see if my "missing song" story will get some notice and get a copy dug up from the Foreigner archives somehow for me. The next year, I heard a Philadelphia radio station play Foreigner in concert and the second hit nailed me upside the head and i almost went down for the count. In this concert, Foreigner played Starrider and what an amazing version they did, extended and adding a long flute solo by Ian McDonald that would knock anyones socks off. The following year i had the opportunity to get tickets for the Double Vision tour and saw them in Philadelphia. Ring a bell? the radio broadcast was from Phila. I heard it there - that amazing extended version with Ian's solo was heard live by me. Over the years i saw Foreigner 3 more times, but never did any of those shows do any Version of Starrider, let alone that awesome version. So....I am still searching.................it will say on my headstone "Died without Ever having Found Peace - Starrider Eluded Him"!!

I admit I shy away from most live products because I am just never satisfied with the quality. NOT SO here. Lou Gramm's vocals, coupled with Mick Jones' intense riffs, make this a winner for casual and hardcore fans alike. Even the cover of Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away"shines through on this one!

This cd is worthwhile for two reasons: 1. Foreigner was an awesome band live 2. All their biggest hits are on here.

I just can't enough of this cd. Foreigner was and is one of the few bands that actually sounded better live than on their studio albums. If you just listen to Feels Like the First Time here and Head Games you'll see what I mean. The only strange thing about the cd is that their is two minutes straight of crowd noise at the end of the cd.

As you can see by the review of my title, this is the real deal of Foreigner, not that new fake lineup currently out on tour. This CD features all the members from the first three lineups (the lineups that ACTUALLY RECORDED all those great songs we know and love.) The performances here are from various concerts from different eras. However, it's all blended together for one killer live experience. The only gripe is that it doesn't have Hot Blooded, but if you want the live version, get Records or the 2002 Double Vision remaster. So, if you want the real deal of Foreigner (with lead singer Lou Gramm), don't waste your time, money and CD rack space on Extended Versions. Buy this CD instead, you won't regret it.

This is what made Foreigner great, their live shows were awesome. Timeless music and they were a real band back then, not just Mick and his current tribute band he keeps on the road. I love this cd, despite the inclusion of a couple of tossaway songs like "Not Fade Away", the old Buddy Holly song instead of "Hot Blooded", which is availabale live on their greatest hits cd, "Records" anyway. Buy this and you will not regret it! Lou Gramm's voice makes these songs come alive :)

I'm surprised that, while most of the albums are showcased with two or more songs on this disc, there's only one song from one of their best albums - Double Vision. How can a Foreigner live album not have Hot Blooded on it?
The addition of Hot Blooded and Blue Morning, Blue Day would have made this more apealing to me.