Customer Reviews

I've Suffered For My Art...Now It's Your Turn

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Did he listen to these tapes before releasing them?

Marshall Crenshaw has an ear like no one else -- for the pop hook, the unforgettable guitar lick, the surprising chord change, the addictive chorus. His brilliant studio albums over the past 20 years haven't received anywhere near the notice they deserve. Nor have there been enough of them -- I guess that explains why so many of us snatch up anything he releases!

However, this one won't get a second listen. (Okay, maybe a second, but no THIRDS!)

The songs are great but pale in comparison to the studio originals. The playing and singing are sloppy and reveal nothing new. The sound and arrangements are surprisingly amateurish coming from someone with such meticulous studio standards (and amazing studio technique!) And shy guy that he is, the onstage patter is limited and predictable.

By all means, support this guy by buying his complete studio catalog - but you can safely skip this one.

Although Marshall Crenshaw turns in a respectable live acoustic performance of some of his best songs, this album ironically proves that his songs (and his voice) really sound best when they're performed by the type of band for which he originally intended them. Unfortunately, the acoustic mode doesn't always show off his voice to great effect (that's never been his strongest suit anyway), and listening to this album one misses the unique and distinctive electric guitar textures that mark so many of his best songs. It's still very listenable, and the songs are still great, it's just that this album will probably appeal more to those who already know Crenshaw's work and will appreciate the sometimes strikingly new interpretations of his older songs.

Marshall Creshaw is an outstanding musician. As such, he should understand that it is incumbent on the musican to take a few minutes to repurpose/rearrange a song for acoustic presentation. Many of these cleverly crafted electric pop songs just don't translate easily in an unplugged format. They are presented with the same vibe and tempo as they are when Crenshaw is backed by a full band.

This is a good album with a few gems and frankly a must have for Crenshaw fans. However with a little extra work from Crenshaw on the front end, it could have been a truly great album.

...but it's still fun. When he's on stage alone with a guitar, you don't get those gorgeous, multi-tracked harmonies that give his already excellent songs such depth. But it's certainly interesting for fans to hear these songs in stripped down versions, sung in a very emotional style that also differs from the "cooler" vocal style of the studio creations. You have to be a fan to enjoy this record; if you got steered to this review because you want to try out Crenshaw go either to his first album or his best-of. If you fall in love with those records, you'll eventually want this, but not as a starter.

Having been onboard as a big MC fan since his first cd I have to admit I approached this cd with a great deal of trepidation. One of the reasons that I love his music so much is that his records are so well produced and are very much in the tradition of Buddy Holly, The Beatles, etc but MC as a folkie? Well it turns out that his songs come off beautifully in this setting. Of course they are great songs but MC also is a fantastic guitar player and singer. Cynical Girl for example comes off totally different, almost bluegrassy. I would recommend that anyone with a passing interest in Marshall's music pick this one up!

This is a great sampler for new fans, as well as a great addition to your Marshall Crenshaw collection. Super cross section of tunes. I love the talk in between songs, gives you a great sense of "being there." Much better production than other live disc, which is cut up and choppy. If your a fan- you gotta have this.

This CD gives me the great feeling of hanging out with Marshall and hear him play his favorite songs and covers. It's not perfect, I agree with others that his voice is mixed too "hot" (listening on headphones) and sometimes his guitar playing is sometimes too busy and flashy for the song's own good. But its fun to hear these songs stripped down from the big production and standing on thier own. I wouldnt reccomend this to first time listeners - get the Rhino Best-Of and leave this one to longtime fans.

It is just like being at the show. Great selection of songs with great monologue in between.

What a treat this disc is. MC has written some of the most elegant, catchy, baroque pop songs ever, and they've never sounded better than they do here.

Different, sure, but not better.

Yes, the guitar is out of tune on Television Light and elsewhere; and yes, his voice breaks and runs out of steam now and then; but the songs are great, his playing is subtle, and the audience loves him. And it'd be a shame if the rough spots had been smoothed out in post-production.

I've seen MC live with a four-piece band, live all alone, and live with various little outfits -- just a bass, for example. Believe me, this recording is true to the solo experience and very much worth owning.

As a long-"suffering" Crenshaw fan, I was in heaven listening to this live album that FINALLY captures his musical genius live.
The songs really resonate, his guitar shimmers with sound; some of the tunes sound better than they ever have.
This is a vast improvement over "My Truck is My Home", his only other live set, and a must for any power-pop fan. If you want romance, Marshall is your guy. Someday he'll get the recognition he deserves.