31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Van on a Great Night, October 13, 2001
Van, like Dylan as of late, can give mixed reviews when performing live. You don't know what you're going to get at a given show by the two of them... but on a great night, few are better or their equal.
I wouldn't recommend this album for the newcomer to Van: get his first two albums first. Then, indulge yourself on this album, & be prepared for a fantastic live set, as he was arguably at the peak of his powers.
He changes some of the arrangements & tempos on a few numbers, which makes for an interesting listen. This isn't a Eagles concert, where you know everything is "played to perfection." Van seems to really "wing it" at his live shows, which is part of his charm.
Plus, his backing band at the time, The Caledonia Soul Orchestra, was probably his best & they are in FINE form.... especially Jack Platania & Jack Schroer (guitar & sax). I can't stress enough on how great this band was for Van during the 70's.
He does some fantastic covers by Sonny Boy, Sam Cooke, & etc. along with his well known compositions. There is an amazing version of St. Dominic's Preview & Caravan.....
People are lucky, as this album has been out of print for a LOOONG time prior to its re-release. Anyhoo, great live set, & highly recommended!!
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29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Phenomenal, November 17, 1999
I'm not sure this is the best live album ever recorded; that honor may have to go to The Band's "The Last Waltz." But this is definitely up there. Van doesn't give great concerts any more, which is hard to believe when you listen to the groundbreaking verions of "Listen to the Lion," "Caravan," and "Cypress Avenue" on this compilation. Even songs that you wouldn't think could be pulled off live, like "Into the Mystic," are brilliantly done on this album. Van has two things which make him one of the towering figures in music: he has songwriting genius, and he has soul. The former can be experienced on any of his studio recordings, but to get the all the attitude behind this stout, ugly man, you must listen to him live. It's great, just great. I can't recommend it enough.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Peerless, April 8, 2006
Let me get it out now, I consider this the GREATEST LIVE ALBUM OF ALL TIME. Over the past 32 years I have worn out two vinyl versions and am on my third year in CD.This collection of Van's best music(it is the best of three nights in three different venues)captures one of the original geniuses of modern music at his absolute peak.Totally original yet completely accessible,Van brings blues,rock,folk,gospel,pop and soul together to the delight of a frenzied audience.Having seen him three times I know how rare this is.
The band he is with at this time could not be tighter or more accomplished. Give it a listen and the word "production " takes on a new weight.This is one of those very rare albums that grows in stature as the years pass by.
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