Customer Reviews

LIVE ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY [Vinyl]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Dropkick Murphys concert on St. Patricks Day was absolutely nuts. It was probably one of the top 3 shows I've ever seen. Every song they did was great and the crowd was extreme for the whole show. Hearing these songs again is incredible and makes me remember one of the best shows I've ever seen. The CD has every song that I can remember from the show. Songs like Barroom Hero and Upstarts and Broken Hearts are absolutely classic. If you only one live CD, get this one.

My brother bought this album on Vinyl in October, and I've borrowed it twice for 3 month spans, I've regretted returning it each time.

He actually was there when this album was recorded, he said the crowd was quite rabid, and it's apparent when listening, they chant and sing many tunes word for word. The band played a diverse set, harnessing all the components of their sound, and what better time to do it than on St. Patrick's Day weekend?

There's plenty of stand-outs, including their rendition of the Irish classic "Wild Rover" with a soaring chorus. "Nutty" (The Boston Bruins theme) has a delightful lick. The underrated bagpipe prowess of Spicy McHaggis is featured prominently.

I detract a star from my rating because there are a few weak moments, most notably durig the sentimental dreck of "Amazing Grace" (Not a bad song, it just seems out of place at a punk rock concert.) And the slow-moving "forever". (On the plus side before the latter is played Ken Casey humorously pretends he's a preacher, inviting a couple onstage and marrying them. He proclaims himself "Reverend Casey" and quickly admits "It's not a popular time to be one". Given the Catholic Priesthood scandal that jilted the Boston area.

"Live on St. Patricks day" is irresistable. Order a copy today.

I'm envious of Bostonites every St. Patty's Day (for a couple reasons) but most certainly because the Murphs throw a 3 day party (not just a concert, a PARTY, as author Dennis Lehane says in the liner notes) for the city. These guys embrace their fans and their fans embrace them and it's just one slambang three day celebration with punk, hicks, micks, and brews pouring. In fact, on this album is a recording of a wedding engagement that occured onstage at the show. Great stuff man!
After the bagpipes, the Murphs launce into "For Boston" a track declaring comraderie with their fans, and then "Boys on the Dock", just one of many of the Murph's worker anthems.
As the party flies with amped up killer cuts from albums past and present like "Which Side Are You On?", "John Law", "A Few Good Men" (Stand up and be counted, sing a song for liberty...!) ,and of course two ultimate rockers "The Gauntlet" (download this song now!) and "Barroom Hero" I just found myself wishing I was there. I've seen this band 3 times but never on their own turf on their own holiday and in front of their family. What an awesome way to start the Spring!
Finally, the show wraps up with "Skinhead on the MBTA" (Metro Boston Transit Authority" - right, you Bostonites?? Is that what that stands for?") aka "Bloody Pig Pile" and as the liner notes state "the mob swarmed onboard". I gotta get there some year............
I don't like the Red Sox cause they beat my Cards but I love this band and you would too.

The band always says that their shows are more parties than concerts and this is what this CD is all about. You can hear the pure energy from the crowd, and as said before not as good as actually being there, but it comes pretty close. The St. Patrick's Day show was awesome, therefore the CD is awesome. And in 2003, the DVD will be awesome. Don't be afraid to buy this CD, it is amazing.

I was at the Murphys' March 16 show, and while this CD doesn't quite compare to seeing them live, it does make a nice souvenir. At 26 tracks, it's very inclusive, so you get to hear a nice mix of this band's unusually eclectic (at least for a punk band) catalog. At any rate, it's obvious that the Murphys put a lot of passion and energy into their songs, and getting to hear it live and raw is quite a treat. Al Barr and Ken Casey make an excellent vocal tag-team, and Matt Kelly's machine-like drumming brings a precision and variety more often seen in metal than in punk. Although hard and fast is definitely a recurring theme in the Murphys' music, they also do a good job of slowing it down with melodic, heartfelt numbers like the melancholy "The Torch" and the uplifting "Forever," which is one of the few love ballads that don't make my stomach turn. And I must say, I'm very pleased that they included their cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son," as the way they annihilate that classic song is just great. If you like the Murphys at all, this disc is essential.

The Murphys have finally released their live album, and it's great. The sound quality of the recording is excellent, and you can really tell the guys and the fans had a blast. If you like DKM, buy this. You'll love it.

It is obvious that The Dropkick Murphys are energized by their fans and this set of hard pounding numbers are sure to enthrall those same fans, but unless you are very familiar with this band, I wouldn't suggest this one. The vocals are buried under the mix and while the energy is great, it can wear you out after awhile without the live environment to reenergize you. A true fan should love this, a more casual listener like myself appreciates the power of the live band, but will probably only give this the occasional spin.

Does this crew ever sound like they are having FUN! They're loud, proud, Boston Irish boys and it's St. Patrick's Day. They might only be happier if they won the Power Ball.

The DKM is not precisely the usual Celtic music I review. This is Celtic PUNK. Loud and proud is just the start. Definitely not your quiet, contemplative "Celtic Moods" CD.

The DKM definitely gives you more bang for your buck. In these days of 99 cents per tune downloads, this CD is 25 songs long with plenty of time to enjoy the concert.

On the other hand, if you really want to ROCK, bring it on. Favorites:

"Fortunate Son" this is a cover of the CCR song. You just thought CCR could rock.

"Rocky Road to Dublin" okay, my favorite cover of this is still on the Chieftains' "Long Black Veil" CD--you can tell the Chieftains and the Rolling Stones really did not want that session to end, but this is pretty darn good, too.

"Amazing Grace" okay, I love about every version of this song I hear. Here it is, more traditional than most of the songs on this CD, complete with bagpipes and audience participation in the intro. Wait til you get to the body of the song!

Rebecca Kyle, August 2008

Nothing can take the place of experiencing the sheer energy of a Dropkick Murphy show, but this is pretty close to it. Some of the lyrics can be hard to understand because of all the backgroup noise, but hey that's their band.

I cannot think of a band who puts on a better live show than the Dropkick Murphys. There is so much energy in the air, so much life given to the crowd, so much passion behind the music; it is something you have to be a part of to truly understand it.

With that said, this live album captures the frenzy and power of a DKM concert to the best of its ability. There is really no reason to dissect the songs on this disc, since the majority of people who purchase live cds are huge fans already, but there is a good collection of cuts from various releases. It is unfortunate that older tunes like "Never Alone" and "Caps and Bottles" are nowhere to be found, but it is nice to have a live version of "John Law".

Obviously, attending a show in person is the best way to experience this band, but this record is a nice slice of the live taste. Oi.