Customer Reviews

Ike & Tina Turner Revue-Live!

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

 

 

This is one of the greatest live revue albums I've ever heard. Plus it gives the rest of the world, a chance to hear the raw soul St. Louisans have been privy to for years.
It's not the smoothest, most polished live album, but from Tina's opening "Hello everybody", trying to get the attention of the audience to the last pounding beats of the band as the show ends, I was virtually transported to the Harlem Club, in St. Louis.
Not only do you hear Tina at her funkiest, winning over the distracted audience, but they remaim captivated by an array of unknown, local talent that could stand up to any big named revue.
Pay Special attention to Vernon Guy, Stacey Johnson, and Vanetta Fields. They gave me goose pimples with their gut-wrenching vocal masterpieces. And of course the tight, throbbing, and terrific, Kings of Rhythmn, tie it all together.
The only reason I gave it 4 stars, instead of 5, is because it's not smooth and perfect, from begining to end. Which makes it real, and mesmerizing.

As noted by the other reviewer, there are some "minor" flaws here to be dealt with. First, as with just about any live remote recording from this period, the sonics are less than stellar. But you actually get used to this pretty well upon mutliple listenings. Secondly, Tina does a lot of testifyin' to the sisters early in the show, which keeps things from getting off to a rip roaring start. Third, all the fabulous guest artists are stacked right in a row in the first third or so of the CD. I would have preferred them being spread out through the set. But, then again, that's how it was back then, the warmup acts came out, supported up by the main act's band, and off they went. Those little things aside, the performance here constitutes a great show that "they don't do like this any more." You can close your eyes and see it, rough and tumble arena and audience, no laser lights, Tina dancing away, band enthusiastically laying down a groove, guitars, horns. Dark wood soaked by sweat and cigarettes. Raw, pure soul. A "revue" in its best sense with the guests making inspired contributions in what they know is their one spot in the floodlights that night. Then Tina flailing away at a well chosen set of (mostly) standards done in her own unique way.

Great disc. perfect quality. A must for any Ike and Tina collector.
No 5 stars because of the price tag