Customer Reviews

In Concert

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

 

 

Reading about the recent death of Barry Cowsill from the effects of Hurricane Katrina reminded me that once, many a moon ago (35 years plus), I owned a Cowsills album. It was this one. I bought it because it had the single "Hair" on it, which was a huge hit and one of my favorite songs back then. (Give me a break. I was 11.)

Anyway, what I remember about this album was being a little disappointed that there were no live performances of actual Cowsills hits. But once I listened to it, I thought, who cares? These kids, while not exactly session-musician material, were pretty damn good at covers.

Plus, at the ripe old age I was back then, oldies was not a radio format. So the Cowsills' versions of some of these songs were the first exposure I had to them. When I finally heard the real versions later, it amazed me how close the family band was to replicating the sound in some cases.

The soul songs come off the best, actually -- weird when you remember that these are a bunch of white kids from Rhode Island.

When you think about it the kids probably DID play their hits live, too, but they were all so dependent on studio enhancement that putting them on a live disc wouldn't really serve a purpose except to make them sound anemic.

Footnote: The only time I ever saw the Cowsills live was on TV; specifically the Dick Cavett Show. They performed "Hair" live, and included the "Mary Loved her Son/Why don't my mother love me" verse, which was missing from the single. The entire band (including mom) looked tired, angry and bored. But oddly enough, they sounded pretty good. And that's all you can ask for from a band sometimes.

Recommended if you remember the Cowsills, but don't start here. A greatest-hits CD will do you much better.

TT

Impressive!That's the first word that came to my mind after hearing this sixteen track live album reissue of the Cowsill's live piece of work here.I mean,after the numerous times I've heard other music fans EASILY dismiss this family band as a joke or a novelty.Uh-huh!That is NOT the case at all.This mother,five(was it?)brothers and one sister act CAN totally rock! Tracks that caught me by complete surprise was "Hair",their cover of the Mamas & Papa's "Monday,Monday"(very well done,I might add),"Hello Hello",Beach Boy's "Good Vibration",the Beatles cover "Paperback Writer",Cream's "Sunshine Of Your Love" and "Nothing To Do".Had NO idea they did so many covers.Certainly not complaining about it,though.An absolute should-have.

The Cowsills live LP was recorded at the height of their popularity in 1969 and features each member of the band performing cover versions of popular songs of the era. It was originally issued on vinyl at the time. The performaces are good and nostalgic - a fun CD that garners multiple listenings. The wonderful liner notes indicate that the Cowsills stage show during this period consisted entirely of songs that were hits by other performers. There is an inescapable innocence to the CD as you listen to this talented family perform. The CD also features the studio version of 'Hair' along with an EP which was available by mail-order only when the group did advertising for the American Dairy Association; these songs are average although 'The Milk Song' conjurs up images of late sixties television commercials. The CD is enjoyable to those who remember the band or who are interested in 1960's nostalgia.

This digital version of The Cowsills Live LP is one of the best in my collection. The Cowsills are recorded doing covers by the Mamas and the Papas, The Beach Boys and many other artists of the times. They even throw in a few Motown greats which are just superbly done. With ever new track, you get to hear more of this talented family's musical and vocal abilities. The amazing fact about this terrific compilation, is that the ages of the performers were 8 to 19. Tell me that isn't raw talent??? You gotta get this CD!!!

They were a pretty good live act, as this CD demonstrates, and their harmonies were great on stage and on record. Still, most of the songs on this CD cannot be improved upon, and thus, only Cowsills fans will get a kick out of hearing them. Note: "Hair," "Milk Song," "All My Days," "Nothing to Do," and "Fun Song" are studio recordings--all others are live versions. Decent liner notes, and satisfactory sound.

My gosh! Talk about having a flashback to the 60's. I haven't heard this album since I was five years old back in 1969. This was one of my uncle's favorite records and he would leave it over at my mom's house because he knew I loved to listen to it too.
Some of the tracks I don't remember playing on the record player.(technology of the day) Some of them I would play over and over. As for talking about individual tracks I would have to buy this album and play it and go back to the year 1969. Was nice to find this album and play the short 30 second tracks.

i grew up with the cowsills music, it brings back some growing up days in our youth. 5 stars. i had this on a 33 and it was broken several years ago i almost died when i found it on cd