Customer Reviews

Fistful Of Alice, A

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Even Alice Cooper admitted the 1977 Alice Cooper Show live album was poor in quality. Alice decided to correct this blemish by putting out a new live album and this one is awesome. There are few real surprises here but all the tracks are tight and listen I Never Cry and you'll see Alice's voice is still as strong as ever. Plus it contains a cool studio track Is Anyone Home? This studio track only wets my appetite for the next studio album due early 2000. You may have heard most of this on your studio albums but you really need to hear his live versions on this album. This is definitely worth buying.

I remember when this CD first came out,it had several delays.A rep told me that ANOTHER label had gotten the account.This thirteen track release was recorded live June 12,1996 at Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo club in San Lucus,Mexico.Eachie-Wah Wah!That's ironic because Hagar guests as guitarist on the opener "School's Out".I've seen Alice perform live now ten(10) times and I've NEVER seen him open with that song before.Slash is guest slinger on the modern day Cooper classic "Lost In America" and the ballad "Only Women Bleed".Everybody get out their skull and cross bones,for Rob Zombie stomps 'in' as guest vocalist on "Feed My Frankenstein" and the all-out '70's anthem "Elected".Overall,this is a damn fine live effort.So much better that his 1977 live lp 'The Alice Cooper Show' mostly because it's just heavier.A few other surprises pop up,like the RARELY live played "Teenage Lament '74" and "Desperado"(Cooper's tribute to Jim Morrison).Recommended for any and all Cooper fans,young and old alike.

There are some reviews on here that aren't so flattering regarding this great album. Well, let me be the first to tell you they must be listening to the wrong album. I can only agree that it should have been two discs because he has so much material and that he should've had more new songs instead of the old stanbys, but to say it is without energy and give it a substandard rating is way off. At least he threw in a few songs he rarely does live ("Clones", and "Teenage Lament"). The club atmosphere is perfect and the performace is energetic and in your face. It is better that The Alice Cooper Show by far. It is like two different artists. For a good rockin' time you should buy this import version. The US release is a good time too, but a shorter show.

OK, just a quick few thoughts on this disc which will hopefully inform your choice or give you some food for thought, because picking apart in a critical style tunes that presumably you (my dear reader) already know would be pointless.

Firstly this '97 release is well produced, well played and really finds it's function as a sort of greatest hits collection. The guest stars here comprise Rob Zombie, Slash and Sammy Hagar while the band for this rawk rock good time disc is Reb Beach (G), Ryan Roxie (G), Paul Taylor (keys), Todd Jensen (B) and Jimmy Degross (D). And the capable backing band really bring some of these older tunes that were a touch creaky when they were born to vibrant life. All the hits are here - check the track listing - and in order to get the completists to fork out their cash for tunes they already own we get a studio newie called 'Is Anyone Home' tacked unceremoniously on the end.

While it's up to you if you really feel you need a live version of tunes you may already own, it has to be admitted that this life affirming collection, with it's full bodied production, is a pretty good summation of AC's greatest hits. All played to a loving audience at the Cabo Wabo Cantina in Mexico. From the sounds of it, a good time was had by all and buying this disc will probably score you a good time listen as well.

Recorded live at Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Cantina, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in June of '96, this is an awesome live cd from the Master of Shock rock, Alice Cooper. This rocks from start to finish, and every song is performed well. Alice's band was tight and heavy on here, plus it features guest appearances from Slash, and Rob Zombie. The only minor problem I have with this cd is with Paul Taylor's keyboards, it sounds generic, and too plastic- too bad they couldn't get a more "vintage" sounding organ on there when needed. All the big hits are here, like "I'm Eighteen", "School's Out", "Elected", and "Welcome To My Nightmare", plus rarely played gems like "Teenage Lament '74", "Lost In America" and "I Never Cry"-which was a huge hit single, in '76. Also included, is new studio track called "Is Anyone Home?", which is a melodic Beatle flavored number, to end the cd. I highly recommend you buy the Japan import version of "Fistful Of Alice", because it's got 4 live bonus tracks, including "Clones", "Bed Of Nails", "Under My Wheels", and "No More Mr. Nice Guy", all from the same show, which makes the cd flow even better. It's hard to find, but worth every penny. This is the definitive live Alice Cooper record, so far. Yes, the "Alice Cooper Show" album, from '77 is pretty good, but this one blows that away.

Alice Cooper kicks some serious ass!!! Buy this cd along with the greatest hits. I would like to say something to Michael Hunt. Throughout your review you say how some songs are better live, NO DUH!!! SHUT UP AND ENJOY THE DAMN RECORD!!!!

This CD is beyond awesome! With the additon of Slash and Rob Zombie, many of the old classics sound better than the original recordings. Having seen the Coop's three latest tours, all in large venues, I would certainly appreciate the opportunity to see him in a smaller, more private setting, such as Sammy Hagar's place. This version of "Desperado" is the most incredible resurrection of all, as the original recording did it no justice whatsoever. A lively, strong recording, I only wish it had been a double CD.

This is absolutely my favorite Alice Cooper collection. Usually I hate live albums, but this one is something special. I wish I could bottle that energy and drink it.

First of all, Dave from Indie can't be that much of a 'connoisseur' if he thinks Alice's 80's music is all 'imports'...I have them ALL on vinyl...some gathering dust as 8-tracks! >:-) also The Aice Cooper Show is mid 70's, between Lace and Whiskey and Goes to Hell...in other words, I wouldn't go by Dave's review. However, if you want Alice live and at his best check out this recording...even Alice likes this better than the Alice Cooper Show, which he thought sounded terrible (I still liked it)...maybe it was because he wasn't too sober then? Anyway, true Alice fans will want this, and so will anyone else that wants to hear how real rock is done...and if you want to 'SEE' Alice live...check out The Nihtmare Returns on video, it's incedible!

A fistful of Alice is suposed to be the live album that the 1977 version wasn't. Alice's mistake in his '77 performance was that he sounded....well drunk and rather rubbish. Instrumentals - great, Alice - not so great. So with a collection of newer hits such as 'Poison' you'd think Fistful would be a dream come true now that he's quit the bottle.

Recorded in front of a minor audience as opposed to the usual thousands complete with blood-thirsty stage theatrics and over the top guitars, A Fistful Of Alice doesn't have the energy in every track that you'd hope for.

Sure when Slash, Sammy Hagar and Rob Zombie appear you get something special, but other tracks are quite run of the mill. 'Poison' sounds just 'okay' compared to the 1989 'Trashes The World' video version and the background vocals on 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' are less than adequate. The guitar's sound too 90's for me and are weak compared to the overwhelming steel present on 'Classicks' or 'Freedom For Frankenstein'.

Whilst it contains highlights I would recomend it only for devotees. Those newcomers to the Alice live experience would be better off seeking out the live versions on 'Classicks' or 'Freedom For Frankenstein', which are truly awesome or the live video's/DVD's. It's a good CD don't get me wrong, I love Ryan Roxie's guitar work, but it's not as over the top as you might expect from Alice. I'd recommend it for fans, but not really for newbies to the Alice live experience.

What I don't like is the length of it. Alice has enough good material to warrant a double live set like most bands do. But instead we get only a few songs? Why? It could be the club environment this was recorded in, but not including 'Ballad Of Dwight Fry' is just in excusable.

Oh by the way, devotees seeking a live version of the song 'Steven' will be pleased to know you get about a minutes worth of it as the intro to 'Welcome To My Nightmare'. Top cuts - 'Schools Out', 'Feed My Frankenstein', 'Welcome To My Nightmare', 'Lost In America', 'I'm Eighteen', 'Only Women Bleed' and 'Elected'. They rock!