Customer Reviews

FM: Live

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just wanted to mention that the remastering on this CD is outstanding.
The vocals that were originally a bit too harsh have been smoothed out. - If you know this music, you know the parts - on "Standing By A river" - the vocals are much better now.
And the guitar and sax sound much more defined and separated.
No bonus material, same concert. But, it's worth the price to hear the concert with the improved sound.
I've played this CD more than I thought I would.

Outstanding concert tape, finally on CD available. This is a must for everoney who enjoys genuine music by a real band, who could write their own material and added some songs from others but played it their own way. This is fine example of a true band, at the height of their time. This is a ONE concert-recording, not being plucked from many performances and/or with many studio-overdubs. Listen to what this band could manage. The way they handled their instruments but more the interplay by the 4 members (on vocals/sax/harmonica, vocals/leadguitar, bassguitar and drums), every song recorded in only one take. Amazing. The music varies from straight blues to pop and (prog-)rock. It has so much to offer, everything on a good level. Those guys knew how to rock. Vocals are fine, guitarplaying excellent, rythmsection fills in and gives an added touch. Even the sax plays a role on its own. "Country Hat" is a solo only-number, on slide-guitar and sets Peter Haycock apart from so many other guitarists. Listen how this song developes from slow blues to full speed slide-play. And how it becomes immediately an integral part of the following up "You Make Me Sick". On every song he shows you what a guitarplayer he used to be, making his music a part of the song in a way you cannot describe, interwoven with the other instruments. What amazes you is that this IS a live recording, recorded in one take, no frills, overdubs, tricks etc. It gives you a sight of how real music was played. Even for the midseventies this is for real. Strongly recommended! Five stars is to less.
sert

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!!!

I've been listening to this album for over 30 years, and it never grows old: the virtuoso performances by Peter Haycock and Colin Cooper; their appreciation for the blues; and the fun they seem to be sharing with the audience.

I wish I'd seem them live. The closest I came was in the 70s when they appeared on "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert."

This is probably one of the most underrated albums of all time.

One thing that mystifies me is how their subsequent studio albums became so lame in comparison.

I was at this concert at NYC's Academy of Music on 14th Street. This lovable, dumpy old venue (which later became the Palladium) hosted many, many great bands. I remember this concert was introduced by Scott Muni, one of New York's most beloved DJs on WNEW FM Radio. In fact, older New Yokers (like me) will recognize that the radio on the album cover is set to WNEW's number, 102.7. Unfortunately, WNEW and all the other great FM radio stations which championed many of the lesser known bands in the 1960s through 1980s have gone the way of the dinosaur. But I digress.....buy this album as it ranks as one of the all time great albums, right up there with Allman Bros at Fillmore, Lou Reed's Rock and Roll Animal, Band of Gypisies, Get Yer Ya-Yas out, etc, etc. Enjoy!

I saw them live in the early 80ies. Their performance was a revelation, and it would have to have been one of the best concerts I've ever seen.
The band on stage back then was the "FM: Live" outfit plus George Glover who had just joined the band as keyboard player. All I wanted to see and hear really was Peter Haycock playing his slide guitar piece "Country Hat", but beyond that I had no expectations.
The band started in high gear with "Blackjack and Me" from the "Flying the Flag" album, and rocked their way through the bulk of the "FM: Live" set plus some newer material. After the two hour show they had blown me away.
After the concert I traced the LP of the FM concert (which was hard to find at the time), but was disappointed when I played the record. The recording sounded somewhat thin and unfinished, and the record remained mainly unnoticed in my collection from then onwards.
A couple of years later I saw the band again. Drummer Cuffley and bass player Holt had since been replaced by Jeff Rich and Rhino Edwards respectively, and they turned out to be just as good. Still, there was still not much love left between me and the FM live album.
Here we are then, in the year 2011. I am listening to the remastered version "FM: Live", and I can't believe how good this band actually was. The sound is great, the band is tight, the song material is great. And Peter Haycock? He was (and based on his more recent recordings still is) just fantastic.
So, if you are looking for a band which knows how to convincingly play a mix of rock, blues, and jazz, then look no further than "FM: Live".
With a delay of 30 years: here are five ***** from me. It was worth the wait!

had this double live album 30+ years ago,lost it somewhere along the way, sure glad to have it back a real ROCKER!!

I wore this out. This earlier live recoding captures arguably the best British blues band at the time. This is much batter that the Ten Years After live album (also good). Pete Haycock is an unrecognized master. I wasn't a fan of their FM hits that came later but this I highly recommend. Ranked right their with Allman Bros at Filmore, Humble Pie Rockin' the Filmore, and Mayall's Turning Point and the Dead Euro '72. Get it!