Customer Reviews

Live '93

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

 

 

It's an indicator of just how hot the Orb were back in the early 90's that they were able to release a live double album, still unheard of to this day for electronic acts. But it was an obvious step nonetheless, from the ambient-house wizards who's songs already had a naturally loose, organic flow to them. This set culls the material from their first two records, with a few exclusives, and allows it to breathe and shape into a freeform beauty. The effect is enchanting, as if you were on the grass yourself and listening to the vast collection of natural and otherworldly sound recordings tied to the intoxicating, mellow beat.

We're not talking New Age goodvibes, but a dreamy sense of enjoyment. Snippets of humor underscore the notion of enjoying the moment over delivering a stadium-wide experience - as their frequent, cheeky nods to Pink Floyd show (undoubtedly a reviewer comparison at the time.) Snatches of documentaries, TV, televangelist sermons (the first three minutes of "Little Fluffy Clouds)", and other odd commentary further score the point. A song description would probably give the wrong impression- saying "Oobe" is a mixture of dissertation, roosters, flying jets, flutes, soundbites and a cascading beat implies a throw-it-in-the-blender approach lacking cohesion. Nor does it all work, at least as a chillout experience, unless three minutes of engine throttling is your thing (the start of the otherwise sublime "Star 6&7 8 9.") This pattern manifests throughout- minutes of recorded sample noodling before the next classic tune kicks in- enhancing the live experience despite the occasional missfire.

Still, you can't go wrong with what is essentially a greatest hits album. For the un-Orbed this is an excellent starting point, as are their first two records. Fans already owning the early works will still enjoy the mixed revisions- witness the distorted reverbathon done to "Towers of Dub," or the echo acoustics of "Blue Room." And you can't go wrong with a 20-min version of "A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain that rules from the Centre of the Ultraworld" closing out the set. Classic. Grade: A-

I was kind of shocked that so many people gave this mediocre or poor reviews. I actually prefer this to the majority of their studio albums. Nothing compares to Orbus Terrarum, their crown jewel, but I would rather listen to this one before any of the others. '...Ultraworld' is great, but sounds a little dated now, same can be said for'UFOrb'. 'Pomme Fritz' shines, but only on a couple of tracks...same for 'Orblivion', and 'Cydonia' was a massive disapointment. So...this two disc live album, which might as well be a remix album, makes up for the others(In my humble opinion). The early versions of 'Plateau' and 'Valley' are great listening, as are the live versions of 'oobe' 'towers of dub' and of course 'blue room'. Every Orb fan should have this in their collection. Also, if you can find 'Orbscure Tracks'...don't pass it up. Peace...

When this set was first released, the media-led consensus was that it was sprawling, overlong and a stop-gap ripoff for the Orb's then-huge following. To which I say - cobblers! With time, this has become my favourite Orb set. Part of this is undoubtedly nostalgia - I was present at both the Copenhagen and Glastonbury shows, and remember them as two of the most incredible events I have ever attended. More than that, though, I now think they are essential documents of Alex and co. at the height of their powers. There has always been a tension between the dancefloor and the dreamscape in the Orb's music, and here it is perfectly reconciled. Nowhere is this better illustrated than in the absolutely _rocking_ version of "Huge Evergrowing Pulsating Brain" which closes the album, IMHO the best version on record. Elsewhere, the superphat "Valley" and "Plateau" marked a thrilling new direction for the band at the time. Sadly, I don't think it ever found its expression on subsequent albums - Pomme Fritz was tripped-out lunacy without a centre, and the versions of "Valley" and "Plateau" on Orbus Terrarum are lame by comparison. Essentially, this a fantastic remix album of the Orb's greatest hits, with a spontaneity and expansiveness which gets closer than the studio albums to conveying the true might of the Orb, which has always been as a live experience. Turn your lights down low, reconfigure your wetware and float into space, baby. The Orb - you've been waiting for music like this all your life...........;-)

Okay, a live double-disc album from an ambient act doesn't come across as anything essential. And it's not. But if you're into the Orb, this is a surprisingly entertaining disc. It offers up some fun remixes of classic Orb - I particularly enjoyed the versions of "A Huge Ever Growing..." and "O.O.B.E." here. Sadly, not everything here is great. This mix has the habit of putting elements into the tracks that seem dissonant, as in the engine on "Star 6 & 7 8 9". Also, of course, you probably aren't going to sit down and listen to 2+ hours of ambience on a regular basis. But overall, this is a lot better than the title would indicate. So here's what you do - buy the Orb's "Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld" and "U.F.Orb" albums, and if you're into those, pick this one up some time.

It has to be said that 'Live' Albums can be notoriously tricky beasts. Trying to capture the energy of a Live Performance, can be a little like trying to capture 'Lightning in a Bottle', because it's hard trying to replicate the actual experience of actually being there, that's probably why their aren't as many expectational 'Live' albums as their should be, as there's nothing quite like actually being there, and seeing the performance for yourself. And although there are expectational 'Live' albums available, especially for the Rock/Soul/Jazz genres etc....there are very few 'Live' albums available for the electronica genre, that stand amongst the best 'Live' albums. Maybe its because the genre is largely reliant on digital technology, and seeing as that produces a crisp recording, there isn't as much a need for for Live recordings, that are arguably of a much lower fidelity than listeners are used to.

Which makes 'The Orb's' decision to release a 'Live' album all the more puzzling, and even more remarkable, considering that their music leans heavily towards downtempo/ambient grooves, it's hardly the sort of format to replicate the energy or dynamics of a conventional 'Live' album. But the first thing that'll surprise listeners, is the fact that the sound quality on this double Cd Live album is that it's only a couple of shades lower than that of the duo's actual studio recordings, with much of the crowd noise keep to a minimum. And as well as retaining the sprawling and soothing rhythms that the duo, became known for with their music, a lot of the crowd favourites are included here, although it should be noted that tracks have been shortened or slightly modified on some of the more 'Epic' tracks. (having 20 minute tracks in a 'Live' performance, wouldn't leave much room for a variety of tracks), yet surprisingly everything is consistent, and the playful sampling and sound effects, that feature almost everything from BBC nature recordings to American NASA space broadcasts and reflective synthwork, and a multitude of special effects, coupled with those ambient flourishes, all remain intact. And listeners that are paying attention, will notice the various "Pink Floyd" references dotted over the course of the album (Check out the CD Cover art, which is a cheeky reference to "Pink Floyd's - Animals" album).

This has definitely got to be one of the albums that I've been enjoying most over the last couple of weeks, it's not something that I've been sitting intently and concentrating on all the time. Instead it's been more like music to have on whilst I've been working, as it has that delicate and soothing flow, that works remarkably well, to have it on, in the background, and it's surprising just how well this music has aged, considering that the 'Ambient House' genre is now behind us (commercially at least). It's not an album that I'd recommend to listeners new (or fairly New) to 'The Orb', as you really should have: "Adventures beyond the Ultraworld", "U.F.Orb", or even the 'Best of' first. As this release feels as little bit geared towards the existing fan base, rather than attracting a new fan-base. But providing that you are acquainted with their previous work, I'd say that providing you can still find this, it's the next logical step, and it also joins the (very) small collection of essential 'Live' electronica albums.

If you're not too familiar with The Orb, this isn't the one to start with. For introductions, check out "Orblivion", "Orbus Terrarum", or "U.F.Off".

If you're a fan and you don't have this one, you need to stop sleeping. Even though it's not their best release, this one remains a personal favorite. Most people tend to think that electronic music doesn't translate well into a live, improvised atmosphere. This album blows that notion out of the water. If you're a dready tour kid that likes Phish or the Dead, you may even appreciate this one (if you're open-minded enough). I prefer the renditions of "OOBE" and "Little Fluffy Clouds" on this over the studio versions and the contribution of a REAL bass player and a REAL drummer definitely allows this to compete with any other so-called 'live psychedelic' rock music.

This stuff is way more danceable than those other jam bands out right now. It's widely believed that dancing can put you into a psychedelic trance and if this is the case then 1960s nostalgia doesn't compare to modern acid rock like this.

Talk about atmosphere! - these CD's are contrastly to other reviews in my belief the best introduction to the ORB... hear the crowds reaction(albiet 'faded in and out':) - listen to the slip and slide of the REAL highhats and live delay modulation - Feeeddbaackkk! - the tracks have become more real because of the impromtu adjustment, not to mention much more dynamic and totally new arrangments with samples unheard in other mixes samples eg. Faith healing sessions with Benny Hinn(Little Fluffy Clouds) and some full on Middle Eastern raving chick on Outlands - This mix of Towers of Dub blows me away and then Blue Room after=the perfect 25 minute interlude between 'doing things' (remember Life! :) - I have since buying this albunn bought all the originals but still rate this as the best -

The style and grace, and the reggae vibe that this album fluctuates ands breathes with......... excuse me for taking a deep breath......go ahead breath........ live........Enjoy this

While i cannot agree that this is a good introduction to the orb, this is definatly a must for a real orb fan's collection. I was a bit dissapointed with the much more ambient feel of the mixes, but it is very interesting to see the songs that we all know and love in such a different light. The Little Fluffy Clouds mix especially is amazing. If you love orb, BUY THIS CD, otherwise, get Ultraworld or UF Orb first.

Unbelievably well-recorded live tracks byt the masters of ambient dub (is that redundant?). Some favorites, like "OOBE" and "Perpetual Dawn," many from the album "Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld." The vocal samples are turned up a bit (and listed inside the cover, thank you very much), but not at the expense of the rhythms, which are as free as ever to follow their course. This is actually a great introduction to the Orb.