Customer Reviews

Lighthouse Live! [IMPORT]

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

 

 

I get goosebumps when I think of this album. "Live" doesn't even do it justice. It was explosive. Feb 6, 1972 at Carnegie Hall. "One Fine Morning, Take it Slow" and "I Just Wanna be Your Friend" were the staples of this one fine album but I particularly like the band's versions of "Rockin' Chair, Insane and the "Byrd's" classic "Eight Miles High", the latter mainly because Lighthouse just doesn't play it anymore. The only complaint with the album is I had wished they had done another if only so that songs such as "Pretty Lady" and" Sunny Days" could have been included. I'm fortunate enough to be living in "Lighthouse country" so I get quite a few opportunities to see them even now. If we can get Amazon to put some sound clips with the album selections, then more of you can find and appreciate what most of us already know. Lighthouse rocked...and still does.

WOW! If you like rock/jazz with the power of a live gig, this is the cd for you. Lighthouse, for those of you who don't know was an powerhouse in the 70,s. Under the leadership of Skip Procop this group broke all bounderies, groups like Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, owe much to this group. Songs on this cd that stand out, 1849, Sweet Lulabye, and The Byrds-Eight Miles High.
This is one of those must haves for your collection.

I really like this album, it well represents this band whom I've seen live several times. Whatever happened to them, this reminds me of how much I enjoyed this band live. Whether they are on the same level as Chicago is not the question, this would have been a nice concert to be at. If the editorial comments are true and they ignored Woodstock, it just shows how others viewed this band. That is a really what if question had they been present at Woodstock. This is well worth it.

I purchased this CD because, as a "child of the 70's", I remember seeing this band live. They were remarkable! To be honest, though, my favorite album was (I think their first effort) "One Fine Morning" and I felt the band slid downhill after that. But that album, several of its selections appear on this live CD, sizzled and gave promise that this group had the potential to be a Canadian Chicago. Alas, staying power seemed lacking back then.

I also purchased this CD because of the passionate customer reviews given. But after listening to it - and don't get me wrong, it's a solid and pleasurable trip down memory lane - I think the passion stems in part from nostalgia. I wanted this CD to deserve the accolades - I'd love to be writing a similarly passionate review. Alas, staying power seems lacking now as well.

This live collection suffers some of the same problems of most live recordings - occasionally missed notes and occasionally uneven recording. One can argue that's part of a live recording and I'd agree.

That's not what makes this CD less than great. Maybe their music just didn't stand the test of time well. Maybe, like so many things we remember most fondly from our youth, it wasn't ever quite as good as we remembered. Maybe my tastes have changed - for better or worse - over the years. Maybe they needed more material (it's a pretty slim set).

But the bottom line? The collection didn't live up to the passion of the reviews or to my own memory of this outstanding band - and perhaps I just felt it helpful to offer a more dispassionate look at this CD.

Is it good? You bet! Is it great? No. Is it the best Lighthouse CD available? Well, that's a sticky question because the bar is apparently low (though not particularly the band's fault). You see, the greatest hits collection is truly pathetic from a recording quality standpoint and "One Fine Morning" isn't available as a CD, so there's just not a lot for Lighthouse fans to latch on to.

Bottom line: I wouldn't pay full/new price for this CD. If you can pick up a good condition used or a cheap new version, this is stil a relatively enjoyable trip down memory lane - as long as your expectations aren't too high.

I have a special place for this album because of two reasons. I listened to the original concert which was broadcasted on a local FM station while I was at a drive-in movie back in '72. Along with Tom Northcott and magician Doug Henning, they were the first concert I went to at the old Memorial Gardens in Victoria B.C.
This is a stong performance which yields such classic songs as "Eight Miles High", "Take it Slow (Out in the Country)" and "One Fine Morning". Lighthouse has great arrangements on all their songs especially the melodic "Sweet Lullabye" and "1849". They tear a strip off on other notables such as "Insane" and "Rockin Chair". Bob McBrides voice is powerful and blends well with the symphonic sounds of Canada's premiere rock orchestra.
If you listen to the introduction, they were hell bent on making the return to Carnegie Hall a triumph and the audience knew they were in for a great evening of music. Although slightly different order of the songs from the original vinyl, nothing is lost in the text. If you like Chicago, you'll love Lighthouse.

Had the original album - I was surprised to find the cds.