12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Radically new arrangements!, March 19, 2007
This review is from: Circus Live (W/Dvd) (Audio CD)
What a great live album. Not the usual run-through of your old favorites, which is mainly the case with these affairs, but rather, complete reinvention. At first I was a little disappointed reading the titles as there was little in the way of John Cale's recent (and in my opinion, best) works, but listening dispelled that. All of these mostly older tunes have been rewritten with, in some cases, radically different arrangements. Actually to the point where they are different... almost like an album of new material. Imagine a slow, almost gentle, albeit sinister Mercenaries!
There are also extensive droning effects throughout (the beginning, between the "end" of the concert and the encore, and the actual coda), harkening back to John Cale's early experimental roots.
All of this is supported by the technically perfect musicianship of players. Take away the applause between many of the tracks and it sounds like a studio album, only better because of the high-energy that comes with live music territory.
The presentation is excellent as well. Nice "slippery" slip-case with excellent and clever art, graphics and documentation throughout.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 stars, but beware the PAL format DVD, March 17, 2007
What a great live album. Not the usual run-through of your old favorites, which is mainly the case with these affairs, but rather, complete reinvention. At first I was a little disappointed reading the titles as there was little in the way of John Cale's recent (and in my opinion, best) works, but listening dispelled that. All of these mostly older tunes have been rewritten with, in some cases, radically different arrangements. Actually to the point where they are different... almost like an album of new material. Imagine a slow, almost gentle, albeit sinister Mercenaries!
There are also extensive droning effects throughout (the beginning, between the "end" of the concert and the encore, and the actual coda), harkening back to John Cale's early experimental roots.
All of this is supported by the technically perfect musicianship of players. Take away the applause between many of the tracks and it sounds like a studio album, only better because of the high-energy that comes with live music territory.
The presentation is excellent as well. Nice "slippery" slip-case with excellent and clever art, graphics and documentation throughout.
But there is a drawback... the DVD, which is PAL format. Many in the U.S. will not be able to play it. Why is that NTSC owners are cheated out of this? Why could there not have been two versions, one for Europe and one for the United States? As is often the case, an American version will probably see the light of day a year or so from now, but that's a long wait for such an excellent album. One can only assume that the DVD is as good as the CDs.
I suppose, technically, I should have given this release 4 stars due to the PAL DVD, but didn't want to drag down what is otherwise one of the best live albums of all time.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ah john cale, March 5, 2007
This review is from: Circus Live (W/Dvd) (Audio CD)
The first john cale album I bought in the early seventies, vintage violence was followed with those words at the check out counter by a smiling clerk. My expectations were high and I was not dissapointed. Circus Live is pure john cale as good as it ever was! rock and roll is dead but thanks to cale long live rock! For anyone who loves cale,lou reed, patti smith or punk music this album is a masterpiece.
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