Customer Reviews

Captured Live at Carnegie Hall

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

 

 

When this recording was first released in the 1980s, it was a stupendous example of Peter Allen's skills as a songwriter and a performer. Unfortunately, this re-release is something of a hatchet job. Several sections of Peter Allen talking to the audience, explaining songs or just demonstrating his charming personality, have been mysteriously deleted. The songs are brilliant and deserve a good listen, because Peter Allen remains a sorely underrated musician. But the omission of Peter's interplay with the audience is a real disservice both to Peter Allen and his fans.

I first met Peter at the Colonial Tavern in Toronto on my 18th birthday ( I was legal in Ontario .) I'd first heard him on Riener Swartz's TVO show in March of 1975 and was very impressed at the jazzy/ broadway/ camp quality of his work soooo, I ventured down with a buddy of mine for a few drinks and some tunes. Paul Drake, the pianoman at the hotel Peter was staying & a long time, well respected jazzman was there and INSISTED on singing along. I insisted that he be quiet as I could hear him ANY time and Peter was only here for the week. I met Peter that night - we had a few jars, he sang 'Happy Birthday ' to me and we became friends - something you can't have enough of in this life! It was Wonderful! Peter was and is something that MUST be experienced live! He was new, fresh and exciting! His show, his presentation and his tunes were " new, deft little tunes that are both interesting and happy." Live at Carnagie Hall delivers some of what you would have seen. A performer at his best - live, up close and personal.To anyone that might consider purchasing this album - I strongly suggest that you do! Sadly, the Colonial is gone and so is Peter but they will both be remembered by those of us who had the pleasure of seeing him and knowing him.

I remember when I first heard that Peter Allen had what was initially diagnosed as "throat cancer". After I got over the initial shock, I thought how sad that I would never be able to hear that voice again! When he died - I was shocked that his recording labels "scooped up his albums" from the stores for future gain. (can you say greedy?) That is what makes this album - MOST IMPORTANT. I had worn out most of Peter Allen's albums over the past years so I was pleased to see that this wonderful Peter Allen album was available. He was truly at his best - providing the ambiance of what made him a performer exrtodinaire and a songwriter par excellance. If you can only own one Peter Allen album (and why would you only own "ONE"?) - this SHOULD be it! It's fun, it's serious, it's melodious - and it's campy - in short - it is all of the wonderful things that made Peter Allen - Peter Allen....and boy is he missed!

I had this cassette, but lost it and have been looking everywhere for a replacement. I ordered the CD and, although I agree with a previous reviewer that too much banter with the audience had been cut, the music is still so wonderful. It's hard to believe that he's gone. What an entertainer. His ballads are his specialty. I am so happy to once again have this in my collection.

I'm editing my last review about this product, because I pretty much wore out my CD and was going to order another. Well, there were cassettes available, too...so I ordered one and the banter is on this one. So good to hear his stories again.

Sometimes consumers get exactly what they deserve. The big record companies are greedy individuals who would love nothing more than to charge all you Peter Allen fans $21.98 for ALL 82+ minutes of this two LP set. So a record company compromises the best way they can to give you ALL the music and SOME of the banter between songs and you all still complain.

The BIG labels did not even want to deal with this release so give Buddha credit and thanks for releasing it in the first place. Next, who in the world told you all to get rid of every LP or cassette that you owned. If you dumped all of them you quite likely got rid of some music that will never come out on CD. Listen to those if you want the entire thing.

The banter was excised so that YOU, the consumers, could get this worthy performance and ALL the original MUSIC at a fair price, like Amazon's 10.98. Despite the fact that Peter Allen is one of the few performers whose banter even mattered you have the essence of the performance. So enough with what is not there. Be thankful for what is there and buy it now before it disapperas forever.

This CD captures the best of Peter Allen. The concert performances featured here are truly magical. The upbeat numbers will have you dancing around the room and the sentimental ones genuinely touch your heart.

Jennifer K. Lafferty
Author of Offbeat Love Stories and More

Product Description
Track List: 1.Not The Boy Next Door 2.Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) 3.I Could Have Been A Sailor 4.You Haven't Heard The Last Of Me 5.Fade To Black 6.Easy On The Weekend 7.Knockers 8.All I Wanted Was The Dream 9.Fly Away 10.I Go To Rio 11.Everything Old Is New Again 12.Irving Berlin Medley (I Love A Piano, Let's Face The Music And Dance, Let Yourself Go, Puttin' On The Ritz, Stwppin' Out With My Baby, Shakin' The Blues Away) 13.Only Wounded 14.Come Save Me 15.Somebody's Angel 16.Harbour 17.Don't Cry Out Loud 18.Quiet Please, There's A Lady On Stage 19.Once Before I Go 20.As Time Goes By 21.Audience