Caught in the Act [Live, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Grand Funk Railroad | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 25, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1975
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00008BLB8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,471 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Their 1975 live double album remastered and crammed onto a single CD!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars, with a few caveats, April 11, 2003

By 

The Night Owl (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Caught in the Act (Audio CD)

For the new Caught in the Act reissue, one of the greatest live albums of all time, they still didn't get it right--contrary to what the liner notes say. Musically, the album is still outstanding. Everyone in the band serves up an inspired performance, and overall, it sounds great (then again, the original album never sounded bad). Don Brewer's drum solo on "T.N.U.C." has been restored, but elsewhere, all is not well. There are a number of things that keep me from raving about this CD.

First of all, let's talk about the transition from "Closer to Home" into "Heartbreaker." On the original album, "Closer to Home" faded out to end the first side. Side two faded back up with the end of "Closer to Home" and went straight into "Heartbreaker" (the actual performance featured a seamless transition from one song into the other). Anyone with a good ear can hear exactly where they tried to mix the two songs together. While better than it's been (this is at least the third time Capitol has released Caught in the Act on CD), it still isn't as good as it should be. Not only is there an audible space between the two songs, the treble actually drops on "Heartbreaker."

Secondly, there's the matter of editing. Rather than mixing the songs where necessary, they're crossfaded instead. Mixing in this case involves basically overlaying the end of one track with the start of another, while keeping the volume level the same. Crossfading is similar to mixing; only the end of the `first' track fades down while the start of the `second' track fades up. This is most noticeable on the intro to "Black Licorice," where part of the vocal intro is actually missing. The liner notes mention that some of the applause between tracks was cut to let everything fit on one CD. Considering the fact that there's almost a full minute of usable space left on the CD, it makes one wonder why they felt the need to do this.

Thirdly, they left off the first song played at the shows on the tour, "Are You Ready." The liner notes say that Capitol originally didn't want to include it because it was on the band's first live album (the band was having problems with the label at the time). Again, due to space restrictions and wanting to keep it to a single CD, the song was left off once again.

Lastly, there's the matter of the album's original first track, simply entitled "Introduction." The liner notes mention the fact that it was on the original album, but that it was left off to keep everything on one CD, but it's available as an unlisted bonus track on "one of the discs that `supposedly' has no bonus tracks." (Editor's note: "Introduction" has never appeared on CD before). Granted, it's mainly just applause, with a bit of the band jamming on "Rock and Roll Soul" before they go onstage. This was expendable. The thing that makes no sense is why they put it at the end of the new CD. It's completely out of context.

What they should've done with Caught in the Act is release the entire show on two CDs instead of one--including "Introduction" and "Are You Ready," and mix "Closer to Home" into "Heartbreaker" properly. (assuming they're from two different shows--no source information is listed). Maybe next time. Meanwhile, despite all the gripes above, it's still a great CD.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars LP Version MUCH better!!, July 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Caught in the Act (Audio CD)

This is a fun album to have. Unfortunately the CD cuts out some of the drum solo on T.N.U.C and the introduction on the LP is funny, and they cut it out of the CD. They at least could've fixed the silly ending they had to "Closer to home" so it doesn't fade out...come on, CD versions are suppose to be an improvement over the LPs not cut things out and leave the flaws. It still is a fun album, neat versions of "Rock n' Roll Soul" and "Gimmie Shelter". The First GFR Live album is much better, but if you like the post TK stuff live, then get this one or Bosnia. Capital is rumored to be remastering all of GFR albums on CD, including CITA, and hopefully they will improve it by not having "Closer to Home" fade and put back the crowed, announcements and the drum solo in tact. If you want CITA, until the remaster comes out, dust off your turntable and look through used album stores for it if you don't have it already. MUCH better then the CD version.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get Ready to ROCK!!!, February 25, 2003

By 

Richard D. Cappetto "RickDC" (Moodus, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Caught in the Act (Audio CD)

Caught in the act is basically a Greatest hits Live CD, that features GFR (Mark Farner, Don Brewer, Mel Schacher and Craig Frost) at there hard rock peak in 1975. This may very well be GFR best live album. The CD is 24 Bit digitally remasterred, has excellent liner notes and great artwork. David Tedds and his staff did a wonderful Job restoring the concert to its rightful form. No longer is half of Don Brewer's Drum solo cut out, and no longer is there a fade out in I'm Your Captain. This CD rocks and it is a must have for every GFR fan and would be a great first CD if you want to try GFR out, and take a ride on this Railroad.