Bootleg Detroit [ENHANCED] [LIVE]

Morphine

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Live
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B000026EB3
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,926 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Not only is Bootleg Detroit an aptly named live album, it's also an atypical one. For this, "the only official live release of Morphine," Rykodisc has released a low-fidelity recording made by an audience member during the band's Cure for Pain tour in 1994. Although the recording was mastered by frontman Mark Sandman before his onstage death in 1999, the sound quality never rises above that of your average bootleg. The drum sound echoes, and the baritone sax and bass are muddy. However, Sandman's dry voice shines through fairly well. The total package is somewhat voyeuristic, as if Bootleg Detroit were meant to sound like putting an ear up against the outside of a theater. For those who never got the chance to see Morphine's amazing live show, this is, sadly, as close as one can get. Yet even under the aural murk, the band's sexy and sulky low rock is spellbinding. --Jason Josephes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent performance, December 8, 2000

By	Adrien Begrand (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) - See all my reviews

Recorded live by an audience member during Morphine's 1994 tour, Bootleg Detroit is a fitting live album for a band that personified lo-fi indie rock. What's more lo-fi than two-string slide bass, baritone sax, and drums, and what more fitting method to make a live album than have someone in the crowd taping it?

At about forty minutes in length, the performance is much too short, but that's partly why Bootleg Detroit succeeds. Morphine's performance is taut, intense, and laid-back smooth all at once, and it's so enjoyable you can't believe it when it's over. Billy Conway's drumming propels the band at a better, quicker pace than the studio versions of the songs, Dana Colley's sax playing is brilliant as usual, but the real star, of course, is the late Mark Sandman. His delivery of his Beat-inspired poetic lyrics and especially his dry, cool between-song banter sets the mood, from the opening strains of 'Come Along', through the band's intense reworkings of 'Thursday' and 'Buena'. As an added treat, there are two high-quality cd-rom video tracks from 1995 that are great as well, 'Cure For Pain', and 'The Saddest Song'.

Don't let the descriptions of the live cd's 'murky' sound fool you. Although it was recorded from among the crowd, it's excellently remastered, eliminating excess noise, toning down audience "whoo!'s" (a problem for every bootlegger), and sharpening the band's sound. Yeah, the sound is muddier than most other 'polished' live albums, but this is Morphine...what did you expect? Bootleg Detroit is good live music at its purest. Complete, with no studio overdubs, it's a snapshot of a great band, and along with 2000's studio release The Night, a great tribute to the great Mark Sandman. It's all good good good.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buena Buena, February 2, 2001

By	"gapskank76" (San Bruno, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I was a bit hesitant to pick this one up, expecting it to have the lo-fi sound quality I have come to expect on anything labled "bootleg." If anyone out there shares this concern, let me put it to rest. Bootleg Detroit sounds as good as any live album Ive heard, and sounds almost as good as a soundboard recording.

The song selection is pretty decent too. Included are Candy, YOu Look Like Rain, Buena, Cure For Pain... most of the classics. I wish they had played In Spite Of Me too, but alas, you cant change history.

So, if you like Morphine, I would definately pick this one up. It's everything fans had come to expect from Morphine. A great live record.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Regarding Sound Quality, October 6, 2000

By	Eric Raymond (Altamonte Springs, FL USA) - See all my reviews

The sound quality of this recording is surprisingly good. Hearing it was recorded "by a fan in the audience" might mislead you... The fact is, the recording is good, and does not reflect "bootleg" quality at all. I hope Morphine will release more live recordings as time goes on. I encourage you to buy this CD if you enjoy Morphine. If you are familiar with both "Good" and "A Cure For Pain," you will find it especially pleasing.