Customer Reviews

Heart Still Beating (Live)

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

 

 

HEART STILL BEATING isn't Roxy in prime form--for that you'd have to refer to VIVA!(1976), but it is a good representation of their later work and it covers one song not represented anywhere else(Neil Young's "Like a Hurricane").

Clearly this tour was a compromise between their solo work(Ferry's "Can't let go" and Manzanera's "Impossible Guitar") and group compositions. Ferry is in fine form and the band's playing is impeccable. Manzanera rips off some fiery solos. Still, it feels as if some of the passion has gone out of the band's playing. Some of the older material is played as if by route("Out of the blue", "Love is the drug"--an exception to this is the frantic "Editions of you"), while the newer material clearly elicits the most interest. Perhaps they were just bored playing the hits.

Nevertheless, this is a fine disc with many treasures. Although it is curious that the record company(and Rhett Davies the producer of both the original HIGH ROAD album and this album) chose to open the album with "India"--which is a recording of from the AVALON album and not live.

Bryan Ferry has stated his dissatisfaction with this album and it was released(supposedly)over his objections after his E.G. contract was up. One can only imagine that Bryan would have liked a more fiery performance represented on disc(there are plenty of bootlegs out there from the FLESH & BLOOD and MANIFESTO tours that are such).

Fans of the late period wistful Roxy Music will like this disc. This is not the fire-breathing live band of the early-to-mid-period, but a subdued mature version. I definitely prefer the earlier take-no-prisoners live Roxy, but it was unfortunately never really captured on official live releases. But, if you have any affection for the period from Siren onward, you will like this disc.

I have NO idea what the one-star reviewer was listening to, but if for nothing else than the brilliant despair of "Can't Let Go" this live album is a stunner. And then . . . and then . . . one gets to "Like a Hurricane" and there isn't a more emotionally charged moment in any live album I have ever heard by any band. Phenomenal. Ferry is the true genius of our time.

Avalon turned me on to the band in the summer of '82. That year as a freshmen in college I bought several of their older records including a very good hits collection on cassette,& Stranded, Country Life, and Siren on vinyl. And out of the blue I heard Roxy Music was coming to my humble college town in Santa Barbara. I bought tickets and remember the show to this day.
I was very familiar with Avalon and the whole sound of that record but not at all prepared for the level of musicianship which I just assumed would be lost in a live performance. I expected stripped down versions of everything but the great Avalon sound remained. Andy Mackay is now a name I am familiar with. The show was outside in early summer and the sun was setting when India began and the rest of the evening was full of such moments, even "Dance Away" sounded pretty good with the background singers adding some vestige of soul to that brand of song I normally don't respond to. But this was no disco tour. The elegant horns throughout and masterful guitar and Ferry's crooning leave you in something like an altered musical state. You can't help smiling when you hear "Love is the Drug".
My memory of the show is better than any mere recording of it could possibly be. And its not only possible but a simple fact that this was not the Roxy Music of 1974 or 75. But I was only 10 then and was not cool enough to know who they were.
This is a cool disc though, especially the trio of Like a Huriicane-My Only Love-Both Ends Burning. The sax on "Like a Hurricane" is enough to make me want to hear this often, and of course the storm of guitar at the end. Even a slow song like "My Only Love" evolves into one powerful jam by songs end alternating between guitar and sax. And "Both Ends Burning" with that distinct Roxy sax blowing and Manzaneras million mile an hour guitar blaring leave no question in your mind that these guys can light a very large musical fire when they want to. Then back to "Avalon", as if the rock ship has returned to safe harbor after the sax and guitar storm of the previous three numbers, and the great female vocal letting loose as the number glides along.
Encore:"Editions of You". Sax raver, with squeaks, and cool electronic gadget sounds and especially the Doors organ. Pure frenzy.
Encore two: "Jealous Guy". Hard to resist that whistling.
Ferry has always been fond of covers but finally he gives one a sincere treatment which features both the song and his voice. With very mellow and rich sax solo providing just the right touch.
I am curious what the new Roxy 2001 tour sounds like. Hopefully a live release will follow.

Roxy Music's Heart Still Beating was released in October of 1990.
The album was recorded Live in Frejus in the South of France in August of 1982 during the tour to support Avalon.
Originally, four tracks from this concert was released as The High Road EP in 1983. In October of 1990, the rest of the concert was used to create this lasting document of the final 80's version of the band which featured original members guitarist Phil Manzanera, lead singer Bryan Ferry and saxophonist Andy Mackay plus new drummer Andy Newmark, future Dire Straits/Mark Knopfler keyboardist Guy Fletcher and Bryan's guitarist neil Hubbard and bass player Alan Spenner plus three backing singers.
This EP turned full live album included their superb cover of Neil Young's 1977 classic Like a Hurricane(original yet contained the classic elements of the original), killer versions of Out of the Blue and Can't Let Go(the former had Phil Manzanera play a guitar solo in place of the original track's violin solo).
Plus great versions of A Song For Europe, Love is the Drug, Avalon and a stirring version of John Lennon's classic Jealous Guy are among the highlight.
This was a great live album which would be their last until their 2003 reunion live album which saw the return of original drummer Paul Thompson.
Highly Recommended!
NO COUNTER REVIEWS PLEASE!

A fine live album. Some songs are extremely extended without necessity. But the album has good vibe, smart production, good guitar solos and the always mesmerizing voice of Bryan Ferry.

There are two variants of Roxy Music. There was the original band, beautifully chaotic and artful. Then there was the second Roxy, silky and sublimely arty. "Both Ends Burning" captures the second version of Roxy Music, recorded on the tour supporting their masterpiece, "Avalon."

By now, it could be argued that Roxy Music had just become a vehicle for Brian Ferry and friends to recreate the elaborate and dreamy sounds that had evolved from the albums "Manifesto" on, and you'd have a valid argument. Even more so that Ferry pulled the plug on Roxy as a band and went solo after this tour was done. What you'd miss is just how beautifully performed this version of Roxy was on stage. Sure, there's nothing here as giddy as "Virginia Plain," but that Roxy wasn't writing something as gorgeous as "While My Heart Is Still Beating."

A pair of non-Roxy/Ferry songs are included; the band's cover of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" (a major hit in Europe) and Bob Dylan's "Like A Hurricane." I have always marveled at how Ferry could sink his teeth into a great song and ultimately Roxify it, and these two exemplify that trait. A few old favorites do show up, including "Love Is The Drug" and "Song For Europe," which made me happy. Also noteworthy, the sound is immaculate. But if you are still in need of the wild Roxy, that's OK. The brilliant "Viva! Roxy Music" is still available.

Heart Still Beating is probably the ideal companion to Roxy Music's last release: the classic Avalon. This posthumous live release - hence the title "Heart Still Beating" is a stirring performance by the band still at the peak of their powers.

I have seen Bryan Ferry live in concert during his solo career twice and even the recent Roxy Music reunion, but nothing compares to this. Highly listenable and not in any way watered down for me, the lush arrangements and lilt of Bryan Ferry sweep you away. It would have been nice to be there. I especially like the version of "Dance Away" which betters the studio original.

Some fans will no doubt prefer the earlier days of Roxy Music, but this is certainly for those who prefer the latter Roxy sound.

Given a choice I will almost always take a good live cd over a good studio cd. This is a good live cd.

The cd starts slowly (the reason for docking it a star). While the songs are not bad, the only one that reaches out and grabs you is "Impossible Guitars" (a taste of what Phil Manzanera is capable of - if you like it, check out his cd "Primitive Guitars").

With "Love Is the Drug" things pick up. One of roxy's few "hits" it would likely be tough to perform this in a way I wouldn't like - but the version here is excellent. Then comes an excellent cover of Neil Young's "Like a Hurricane" - better, in my opinion, than the original. Next is "My Only Love", another well done song, then a few hit an miss attempts (the best - "Avalon" - another song that would be tough to ruin). Concluding the cd is a killer cover of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" - containing an excellent sax solo (with feedback!) and free whistling by Brian Ferry sure to send chills up and down your spine.

Buy this cd - there are no bad songs and several outstanding cuts.

Put this on and watch the womens pants melt right off! Also, you will need 2,000,000 amperes heat lamp. Like they use in Abu Gahreb prison.