Customer Reviews

Double Live (Dig)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to say that it is almost like listening to this gem for the first time. Frank Marino's first live album is the one that everybody talks about and deservedly so, it is a monster.But "Double Live" has always flown under the radar screen. And it's a shame because people missed a great live album.
One difference between his first two live albums was the production, even though "Double Live" was loaded with great songs, the sound was not that good, it badly needed to be remastered. Well it has been and it is incredible how much better is sounds, I can not remember a better remaster job, and I am big on remasters.
If you like Frank Marino get this album, it is loaded with Marino's brand of explosive guitar playing

Wow I was blown away by the remaster job on this CD done by Frank himself. This disc always took a backseat to the classic "Live" CD from 78...and in it's original form it was OK.

Anyway now with the killer remastering job and bonus cut this is essential to any Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush fan. Some disc's say they're remastered but don't impress. This Double Live sounds so incredible now...it's like your listening to a new album...I waiting on my remasters of Full Circle & From The Hip...if they're done as well as this CD...I'll be very happy.

Frank rules and should be looked on as one of the top guitarist of all time...screw the critic's...and their Hendrix copycat label they've given Frank throughout his career. He might have started off at 16 playing like Jimi...but now he's got style and class all his own...as he plays jazz, funk, blues and metal ...with ease...and all with his own stamp.

Frank Marino is just one of the best live guitar players there ever was. You had to see him to belive it! Dave Coutus review was absolutely perfect. 10 thousand thumbs up! Starts with FINISH LINE,Power of positive thinking song.Great song to start show with,just picks up,gets you fired up. MIDNIGHT HIGHWAY & FREE,I would love to dedicate to all those truck drivers out there on those late night shifts,KEEPS THE PEDAL TO THE METAL! POPPY,should have gotten a grammy award for best instrumental of the decade. ROADHOUSE BLUES&WHO DO YOU LOVE,are cool but not great.(sorry,guys?) GUITAR PRELUDE,this stuff he did better on his first live cd.He could have used this space for other songs.(He has enough of them.Sorry again guys) The next three songs,ROCK'N'ROLL HALL OF FAME,JUGGERNAUT,STRANGE DREAMS,Are fantastic and should be played so your hole neighberhood can injoy it with you. Because what the world needs is more rock bands like Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush! PLAY LOUD. NO,PLAY IT REAL LOUD! Makes a great x-mas gift,for those rockers. THANK YOU VERY MUCH,JAMIN JIM. was this review helpfull? let me know.

This is one of those magical recordings that delivers such a full soundstage that if you close your eyes, you may find yourself out in the audience. Poppy is AWESOME!

Having released already a fine bunch of albums under the Mahogany Rush banner, after the 1980 closer "What's Next" Frank Marino opted for a solo-carriere under his own name with the aid of brother Vince on rythmguitar and backingvocals but also retaining the same other bandmusicians (Paul Harwood bass, Timm Biery drums) so in fact all is just the same. In 1978 he gave us a live-album simply called "Live" (is there a better title?) which boasted his songwriting, were it not for the fact that at least half of the songs are not by his hand!, and of course the 1979 release "Tales of the Unexpected" was partially live, with 4 excellent outings, this time his compositions solely.
With the 1992 "Double Live" (now a single CD disc) we saw a fine return to form and also the "Mahogany Rush" flag again. Hot on the heels of the truelly excellent "The Power of Rock and Roll" and "Juggernaut" - a twin album, considered by me, they are so close in superb songwriting plus singing and guitarplaying by Frank, backed by a decent rythmteam (whith a change of drummers) - Marino was performing live everywhere and recorded some performances in the US (Texas, California) from which "Double Live" is taken. On vinyl four sides are now reduced to one disc only, with the extension an extra song. Strange as it might be this has nothing showcased from "The Power ...." which is a pity given the quality of those songs. On the other hand, "Juggernaut" (the album) is here presented with "Midnight Highway (spelled as "Midnite Highway"), "Free" and closers "Strange Dreams" and of course the titletrack. Even remarkable is that the 1980 fourpiece band release "What's Next" is presented heartedly with "You Got Livin", the Doors cover "Roadhouse Blues" (given his own songwriting abilities and the wealth of material at hand not really necessary, besides his playing was always more reminiscent of Jimy Hendrix than Robbie Krieger, the only thing they had in common was the use of the same type of guitar), "Rock 'N'Roll Hall of Fame" and as bonus the fuzzdriven "Something's Coming Our Way". Most songs are extended versions with plenty of room for blistering guitarwork. In "Electric Reflections Revisited" and "Sky Symphony To A Little Town" Marino demonstrates his guitarplaying abilities and creates unreal sounds with just a Gibson SG and a few devices, you can even hear a churchorgan. All in all a classic live-album.

I have followed Frank Marino from the start as he was my inspiration to play. I love his live recordings! This is an excellent follow-up to his 1978 live album.

Frank in his best element. His hypnotic piece Poppy will lull you to sleep with rythm, and slowly blast you off the floor with guitar licks as the tune builds to a cresendo. His guitar work each with its own flavor in the melodic rythm It's defeinetly what Frank does best. And admits he likes to do best. It's a must for any serious guitar affectionato.

Who do You Love, a rousing raucus rendition of the classic Bo Diddley tune, Frank spices up this song the way only he could pull off. The intro is a masterpice itself. String bending at it's best.

And Guitar Prelude into Electric Reflections, a scent of spanish guitar rythms that tranquils you and he softly drives you to the edge, then rips you with a power lick that stomps you with only the power that Frank can generate. You might grab your own air guitar and try to recreate that feeling of power when he rips into the meat of this prelude. It'll rip your head off everytime.

Behind his best album Power of Rock'n Roll this without a doubt has two of his best original cuts.

Being a "Live" album makes the rest of the album very enjoyable to listen to. Many cuts can be found on other albums in studio formats. His cut You have Livin' an original needs mention as well.

This album will stand the test of time, it's a must for all 70's rockers, and Frank Marino fans everywhere.

A friend suggested Frank Marino because I love expertly-played bluesy guitar. Marino is a little to tinny and speedy sounding for my tastes though. Reminds me a little of Carlos Santana's style, but Santana is a whole lot better.

This album might be enjoyable to someone who likes simple (when comprehensible) lyrics, uninteresting music (nothing much but a heavy beat and loud guitar riffs), and the typical low-quality sound of a run-of-the-mill live concert CD. I suspect that the reason this group doesn't have a string of popular studio albums would be that their music, in a studio environment, would be immediately revealed as utterly ordinary, with the possible exception of a certain expertise possessed by Frank Marino himself.

Like many reviews of concert albums, I also suspect that the good reviews of this one are mostly written by fans who have attended their concerts, and understandably enjoyed themselves (as most concert-goers do, regardless of the merits of the music). Listening to this music at home is a very different sort of experience.