Customer Reviews

FM: Live

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the best albums/CDs of all time, bar none. I've gone through 3 album sets and am now on my first CD version of FM Live. Climax Blues Band was one of those bands which were infinitely better "live" than on vinyl, and this CD captures them at their best. Both rockin and bluesy and funky, these guys were hot on the concert circuit in the 70s. They were one of those bands that headliners didn't like because the CBB would blow their doors out on stage. The final songs on the CD, beginning from "Country Hat," an excellent slide guiter solo/song/piece, to the end is one of the rockinest group of songs EVER put together. I STILL get that rush one gets from hearing a good jam for the first time everytime I crank this CD up and go for a cruise.

This album was recorded live at New York's Academy of Music for broadcast on FM radio (hence the title). The rough and rowdy mixture of live blues rock proves to be a winner in front of an ethusiastic and appreciative audience. An interesting aspect of the Climax Blues Band for newcomers is the fact that Colin Cooper plays saxophone, harmonica and guitar as well as handling most of the vocals. The music ranges from inspired blues covers like "The Seventh Son", the emotional "So Many Roads, So Many Trains" and the raucous closers Jimmy Reed's "Goin' To New York" and Wilbert Harrison's "Let's Work Together". Tracks like "Flight" showcase the band's more jazzy side while "Mesopopmania" provides a vehicle for John Cuffely's drum soloing. The real highlight of the set is the great blues/rock guitar playing of Peter Haycock (later of ELO). "County Hat" highlights Haycock's wicked slide playing. The audience is obviously having a good time based on the versions of "You Make Me Sick" and "Shake Your Love" included here. While all the notes may not be perfect but the intensity does not waver. This live disk is the next best thing to being there which is what any live disk should strive to be!

Having been at this concert, recorded live in New York at the Academy of Music, I was expecting the recorded version to be a let down. Surprise...It's one of the better live recordings you will hear. With original guitarist (Pete Haycock) the Climax Bles Band rocked the roof off the place and this recording has it all! BUY THIS ONE!!!!!

I saw these guys in the seventies as the warm-up band for Canned Heat in Seattle. After Climax Blues played, Canned Heat got booed. My two favorite songs on here are "All the Time in the World," and "Going to New York." Those two songs alone are worth the price of the album.

Before I was old enough to drive I borrowed this album from a friend and trucked home on my bike so I could listen to it on my system and except for about a ten year period when I could not find a copy I've never stopped enjoying it.

In '74 most US rockers were not too aware of Climax Blues Band, this album, along with the expanding FM radio exposure of rock, changed that much for the better. This band is tight and repects the blues even though they are definitely on the rock side of the street.

Besides Haycock's scorching guitar work, theres Coopers dirty and distorted sax through a Leslie speaker blender attack that is just way cool. Add the unique subterranean vocals of Mssrs. Cooper and the smooth tenor vocals of Haycock for a great point and counterpoint and all you got left is the rhythm section from Hades (they're hot) of Cuffley and Holt. Smokin', miss it at your own peril 'cause only one rock live album is better and that's Wet Willie's Dippin' Wet.

I've seen Climax perform in the UK around a dozen times back in the late 70's early 80's. I bought this album in the late 70's as an import in the UK. It was released only as a single album over there. Containing only tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11. As well as missing out the excellent solos in Country Hat and Mesopopmania the single album I always thought broke the incredible atmosphere that you can hear from the audience. It's an incomplete show for goodness sake. This double FM live import used to be a prized possession of any UK Climax fan.

An excellent live album from an excellent live band. So Tightly knit!! I still only have a vinyl copy and am about to finally purchase a CD version. It's been too long since I listened to it and it will still no doubt give me goosebumps like it used to.
If you like live rock/blues GET IT!!!
Like the previous reviewer pointed out. It's as close as you'll get to being at a live show.

I picked up this album in 1974 from the neighbors rummage sale, when I was 11 years old, because the exploding radio inside was "cool". Little did I know it was to become my alltime favorite album by which all others would be judged. All these years later, I still have it and wouldn't part with it for anything, except maybe for a chance to see them live. Rockin' Blues with an attitude. A must have for anyone with taste.

The Climax Blues Band's FM/LIVE album is perhaps the best LIVE album of all time, in my opinion. In their heyday, the Climax Blues Band was one of the most exciting and energetic acts on tour, always eclipsing whatever other act(s) might be on the bill with them.

It was their LIVE act that was really demonstrative of their virtuosity, and this album captures the ferocity they brought to the stage. Recorded in 1973, this album should definitely be in the time-capsule as a benchmark performance by a band that totally "went for it". Many of the songs are quite complex in their composition -- and their execution is flawless through the twists and turns, the breaks, the solos...

I saw the Climax Blues Band in person on three occasions, and to this day they were the band to beat when it came to LIVE performance. Especially noteworthy is lead guitarist/vocalist Pete Haycock's fearless and brilliant performance. Nobody was tighter than these guys on stage, and this recording is a testament to the Climax Blues Band at their best. NOTE: This is one CD you'll want to crank up "to 11" for the full effect!

It's worth noting, not just for Climax fans, but for anyone who is appreciative of virtuoso guitarists and LIVE blues, that the aforementioned ex-Climax Blues Band lead guitarist, PETE HAYCOCK, has just released an amazing new LIVE recording with his current band, "Pete Haycock's True Blues". This new CD, along with Pete Haycock's other recent release (also excellent!), "Bikers' Dozen", are outstanding recordings by this gifted guitarist/composer, and are VERY highly recommended! I can't rate them highly enough -- they only gave me 5 stars with which to vote! (Check out Pete's website as well as the RMI Sound site for more info).

Enjoy!!!

FM Live is a must have for live music .Versitile , clean , tight mix of slow blues and a touch of jazz fusion , and rock .Cover songs like "Seventh Son"and "Let's Work Together", and original material by five musicians, even though only four are listed in the credits ,and the connection with the crowd make this a classic .I can't say enough to get the mood across . Buy this and you will not be disappointed , my guarentee .

i have not heard this amazing album in years now and its very nice to have as a replica japan paper jacket, these guys where a real great rock/blues band out of the uk and they sure left there impact, i still listen to the stamp album as well as whole lot of bottle cd in the car all the time, fantastic album, brings back great memories....................