Customer Reviews

Live in Concert - Greatest Hits and More

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What more could one ask for? A FULL live set by New Jersey legends The Smithereens!

Want to know why this band fills BB King's club in NYC to capacity every year? Give this a listen and believe.

This is what good live albums are all about...bringing the live experience home to those who weren't there...or creating a great souvenir for those who were. This album is why people brave all sorts of weather to come out to see them.

All of the Smithereens classic are here like "A Girl Like You", "Behind The Wall Of Sleep" and others. There are also two new songs that offer a tantalizing hint of things to come. After 30 years the band STILL knows how to bring it to an audience.

All I can say is, "It's about time!"

The Smithereens have been together a long time and have built up a repetoire of great songs. While many new listeners were introduced to them with their great "Meet the Smithereens" album of Beatle covers, this ain't no cover band, and this album shows them off at their best.

They are a musician's band, to which DJs and other bands listen, combining a pop sensibility with a hard rock sound.

Songwriter and lead singer Pat DiNizio has written some of the most catchy pop songs of the past 20 years, some which received lots of airplay (like "Blood and Roses", "Only a Memory", "House We Used to Live In" and "Behind the Wall of Sleep") and many others that should've. And as he passes 50, his voice is still deep and strong and in tune.

But the Smithereens, above all else, is a band, a cohesive unit, a melding of multiple contributions from its very talented members:
- Jim Babjak on guitar, providing unique rhythm lines and melodic, memorable leads give counterpoint to Pat's vocals,
- Severo "Thrilla" Jornacion, picking up the gauntlet hurled down by their original bass player, Mike Mesaros, providing an energetic and throbbing foundation to the guitars and vocals, and
- Dennis Diken, whose drumbeats echo the freestyle dance of Keith Moon and channel the solid backbeat of Ringo, and who possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music.

The recording quality of this album is fantastic, avoiding the muddle of sound that is common in even the best live albums. Each element is distinguishable, allowing the listener to savor the contributions of vocals, guitars and rhythm.

The performances are exceptional, showing off this band at its best, with its members in perfect coordination of when to meld, and when to step up. These guys have played together a long time and it shows. This ain't no museum piece, this is ROCK'N'ROLL to be listened to again and again.

Long Live the Smithereens.

In March of 1980, the Smithereens played their first live gig in Hillside, NJ but it took them until now to release this long overdue and definitive full-length live CD. It was well worth the wait! Nearly thirty years later, the band still sounds just as tight and ferociously energetic as ever on this CD of 18 "road tested" Smithereens gems. As anyone who has ever attended a Smithereens concert can tell you, you haven't really heard the Smithereens if your only exposure to them has been from listening to their studio albums. They're a whole other entity live as they somehow manage to transcend and even exceed the studio versions of their songs when performing them in concert. ("Time and Time Again" and "Top of the Pops" are just two examples of the many expanded songs here that somehow manage to rock even harder in their riff-friendly refurbished live versions.)

The concert venue for this 2008 live recording is the aptly nostalgic "Court Tavern" in New Brunswick, NJ where the band developed their musical skills during their formative years. The various eras of the Smithereens' career are all nicely represented on this CD. There's something old (greatest hits), something new ("Since You Went Away" and "Any Other Way" adapted from lead singer/songwriter Pat DiNizio's recent solo album), something borrowed (a suitably Smithereen-ized cover version of Buddy Holly's "Well...Alright") and something "View" (a stellar "Room Without A View" from the "Smithereens 11" album with Dennis Diken's propulsive drumming and the band's hyperkinetic guitars driving the tune along to its dramatic conclusion).

The Smithereens' trademark brand of pulverizing (yet melodic) power-pop still continues to thrill in this live environment (with peak performances of "Blood And Roses", "A Girl Like You", "Only A Memory", "Behind The Wall of Sleep", "Drown In My Own Tears", "Miles From Nowhere" and many more). And Pat DiNizio's new songs "Since You Went Away" and "Any Other Way" can stand proudly alongside any of the other Smithereens classics in their vast catalog. Even "deep cuts" and audience favorites like the enticingly moody "Spellbound" and their "surf" version of "Batman" make their way onto this all-inclusive set list.

At nearly 80 minutes long (roughly the length of what used to be called a "double LP" in the olden days), this live CD is literally "jam"-packed. In fact, the extended jam version of "House We Used To Live In" with its ever-building "guitar heaven" momentum perfectly exemplifies what live rock albums are supposed to strive for but that very few of them are ever able to accomplish this well. Midway through the song, Pat DiNizio's memorable pitch-black vocals vacate the premises in order to make way for the free-wheeling solos soon to follow. Lead guitarist Jim Babjak expertly tosses-off numerous blistering power chords with DiNizio adding a simmering harmonica solo and more guitar crunch to the proceedings. Severo "The Thrilla" thunders along on bass while Dennis Diken celebrates this homecoming bash by bashing away on the drums like a "Live at Leeds" era Keith Moon. I might even be bold enough to suggest that comparisons of the band's performance on this CD with the Who's legendary "Live at Leeds" album are appropriate and well-deserved.

Co-producer Kurt ("The Gripweeds") Reil's dependably dynamic recording and mix (as with "Meet the Smithereens", "Christmas With The Smithereens" and Pat DiNizio's recent self-titled solo album) is sonically pleasing without ever seeming overly polished and without losing any of the raw energy of a typical Smithereens live concert. There is hardly any stage patter included on this CD and no prolonged audience sing-along choruses that can tend to become increasingly tiresome upon repeated plays. All of this only serves to further transform this incredibly exhilarating CD into a "full speed ahead" live album masterpiece that you'll invariably feel the need to play loud...and to play often!

Look, I'm hardly going to give you an objective opinion about The Smithereens. I've basically been listening to "Live In Concert" for almost twenty years now. I've seen this so many times, that I know the act...no, I could probably DO the act if I had the musical ability, and I've got the battle scars to prove it. And I've been waiting for most of those twenty years for a proper live album from The Smithereens. Sure, there were live EP's, radio shows and short budget label live comps...even a bootleg or two, but they never really captured what I'd been seeing for myself all those years.

I like live albums. I know some people don't. Apart from the hits medleys, crowd singlongs, and that guy yelling "WOOOOO!" during the quiet parts (and I'm convinced it's the same guy on every live album!), they can be hit and miss. I've been disappointed by a few of them myself. The exciting live sound you imagine in your head often gives way to a disinterested, rushed runthrough by a tired artist. I assure you, that's not what you're going to hear on "Live In Concert." In fact, I hear at least three or four tracks on "Live In Concert" that I consider to be better than the versions on The Smithereens' original studio albums. Don't believe me? Cue up the new album's versions of "Top Of The Pops" or "Yesterday Girl" for starters, and tell me there isn't more life in them than they've had in years. Listen to the structured improvisation added to the close to 12 minute (!) "House We Used To Live In". Immediately, you'll notice the debt it owes to "Live At Leeds," and amazingly, it compares quite well.

Here's the weird part: I was there. I stood in The Court Tavern for two of the four nights, watching this happen right in front of me. Some of those "WOOOOO's" are probably mine. Yet, when I heard the finished CD, I still couldn't believe how good those guys sounded. They play like they're hungry, because they still are. You know how it is...it sounded good at the show, but when you hear the tape later on, the imperfections show themselves. Not this time. It sounded great at The Court Tavern, it sounds great at home, and in my car. Kurt Reil has done a fantastic job of making The Smithereens sound like The Smithereens. The mix places everyone where you expect to see them on stage. Each player stands out, while jelling together as a whole.

A couple of my favorite little moments from the album: Listen to Jim Babjak weave in a bit of McCartney's "Taxman" solo into the coda of "Only A Memory." Just before the last chorus of "Spellbound", a few audience members mimic a background scream from the studio version. To finish up, listen for a quick reprise of "Time And Time Again" tacked on to "Batman" to close the show with a final fanfare. Moments that happen all the time at Smithereens concerts that veterans treasure.

If you've ever bought a Smithereens album, liked a song of their's that you heard on the radio, or seen them live, there's something here for you. If you've ever wondered why I can't, and won't, shut up about these guys, this album is my only defense. Buy it, crank it up, and figure it out.

Wow. Everytime I hear the Smithereens it takes me back.

I was 16 and in High School as a sophomore in 1987. A senior I had become friends with knew my musical tastes, and mentioned the Smithereens, whom I had never heard of before. He made me a cassette tape. Side A was ESPECIALLY FOR YOU and Side B was GREEN THOUGHTS. When I listened for that first time, I was transported. I had been let in on one of the best kept secrets in music.

11 came out in 1989, and I felt like I was ahead of the curve when the band became more famous. And I've been there ever since.

There is just something magical about this band and the infectiously crunch peanut butter rock and roll they churn out. You can't not like what you hear. I defy anyone to listen and not find this band appealing. Pick an album, any album.

Finally a full live album covering a whole career. Sure there are songs I'd love to hear that are missing, but this is a damn-near perfect overview. And it is a perfect addition to any fan's collection.

I haven't had as much fun or joy listening to a "new" album in a long time. And though I know most of these by heart, it seems fresh and new anyway.

Sure, Pat Dinizio may have packed on all the pounds that John Popper lost, and sure he may sound winded by half way through the show, but he doesn't let that slow him or the band down one bit. They are still rocking like they did back in the day.

Here's hoping that they get a new album of all new material out soon. Between this, Pat's solo album last fall, the Beatles album and the Christmas album, it seems that the Smithereens are happy and busily working. We can only hope that the unblievably prolific output will continue in the form of a real rocker of an album.

Smithereen fans know how good this band is/has always been. Extended versions is a great live effort. This trumps it by a mile or two.

The liner notes say Pat wanted this to be their Live at Leeds, given the intimacy of the court tavern. (I was not at this show but have been to the Court - it is an intimate dive indeed). I think this performance does compare to Live at Leeds in its intensity, tightness and energy.

The band is on from start to finish (though the songs were seemingly taken from several shows there? the cover sort of indicates 3/19, but notes say 1/30 thru 2/2). No matter...

The set smokes. Mesaros is gone; Severo the thrilla Jornacion takes over on bass and I don't hear a distinguishable difference.

Along with the "hits"/faves, there are a few goodies thrown in - Yesterdays Girl, Top of the Pops, cover of Well Allright, Batman! Every song is strong and the mix excellent. Pat and Jim are clear as a bell (and oh does Jim lay down some fire), Thrilla rumbles and Dennis is just so good - holds the beat but adds so many brilliant nuances. I 'm not going to go track by track because there is no weak moment. Even if they do not embellish most songs with anything really new, who cares? This is a great band delivering their classics and even if Pat gets a little winded here and there, they are at the top of their game. I want to here the Smithereens doing live killers of their greatest stuff and it is all here.

There is one jawdropper: The highlight is a 10+ minute version of House We Used to Live In. And it is Who-like in its majesty. Slows down, speeds up, slows down, moments where Dennis is just insane a la Keith Moon. A devastating version which I assume is in some type of set order (track 6), but I hear it more as the set closer, with some requisite drum/guitar destruction at the finish (just dreaming...). When I bought this I listened to this version like 12 times in a row and still could not get over the interplay between the band. You gotta hear it to appreciate it. Reminds me of My Generation/Naked Eye on Leeds in its form and execution.

This is a no brainer must have for fans and if you like tight, hard pop with killer hooks straight out of Jersey, this disc will not disappoint.

Greatest rock live discs of all time? Hmmm... Ya Ya's, Live at Leeds, Allmans at Fillmore, Zevon - Stand in the Fire might make most lists. I'd put this in the same class. Long live the Smithereens!!

What a great show. I discovered The Smithereens only last year, but I've caught up now with all their CDs. I don't know how I missed them the first time around. Behind The Wall of Sleep should have been one of the biggest hits of all-time. Between this CD and The Extended Versions we've been given two live blessings recently. The only thing better would be a whole CD of new songs. Outstanding!

I've been glued to my speakers and headphones listening to this new live CD. I love it and am thrilled at how well it was recorded and kudos to the engineers as well as the band. The drums are crisp, the vocals resonate, the guitar solos pop, the bass is clear and not muddy. This is truly one of the best sounding live CDs I've heard in awhile with all the little nuances shining through.

And with 18 songs, it really is representative of a typical Smithereens live show - the band really rocks out! A must for any fan or a great introduction to new fans.

This is by far one of the greatest live albums I have heard in a long time. Excellent sound, incredible performance. This is a blistering live album packed to a full 80 minutes. This is the live album others should learn from. The Smithereens at their best!

Last winter I saw the Smithereens at a small venue in VT. Not quite knowing what to expect I was greatly surprised. I've always liked their music and you can well imagine how many times they've played these songs live over the years. It was one of the best shows I've seen in a long time. This live recording has all their hits. Recorded in front of a small (200) audience, in a place they first began their careers in NJ, it is very well produced for a live performance. The audio is very clear. It's obvious someone paid a lot of attention to sound quality.

If you've seen them in person you'll know what great musicians they all are and how audience friedly Pat Dinizio is (as are all of them) . They are truly humble in their success. Sure would have been nice to have a companion DVD to this show.