Customer Reviews

Live

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Two words: FEEL GOOD. This album is my first experience in the realm of the Greyboy Allstars. Tunes like "Happy Friends" and "Toys R Us" are great throw-backs to the old school funk/soul we used to hear from Maceo Parker and James Brown. But there's no comparing these guys to anyone. The jams are incredibly tight, led by Karl Denson (sax). And don't be afraid of the Curtis Mayfield cover, "Check Your Mind." They do it a great deal of justice. Curtis is smiling somewhere, and you will be too if you buy this album.

This is by far one of my all time favorite albums. I bought it several months ago and I enjoy it still more each time I listen to it. Certainly it grows on you. Every track on the cd is captivating. It's so funky you cannot keep still while the improvisational exhibition stimulates your mind.

Live was the first Greyboy Allstars album I bought. Their live performance captured here shines. I bought A Town Called Earth afterwards and was a tad disappointed to hear their studio makes of the outstanding "Happy Friends" and "Tenor Man". They pale in comparison to the live counterparts that boasts an enormous energy, especially the rich solos of Karl Denson. The Allstars is a talented bunch indeed.

Living in Denmark, I may sadly never experience Greyboy Allstars live. I guess this brilliant album somewhat makes up for that.

I recently went to a Karl Denson's Tiny Universe show at the Alabama Theatre, which in my opinion is one the most elegant venues in the South East. It was the best concert I have ever been to. Even if the Derek Trucks Band, one of my favorites, hadn't played at all, it still would have been at the top of my list. For those of you who do not know, Karl played the saxaphone and flute in Greyboy Allstars. I did not expect the concert to be half as good as it was, mostly because Karls Studio albums, which i have, aren't half as good as the show. Don't get me wrong, the studio albums are amazing, but seeing Karl Denson live is like having a religious experience. After the show I had a hard time listening to his studio work. Although his recent release The Bridge hints at what the show is like, it doesn't quite cut it. That's when my friend turned me on to the Greyboy Allstars. This is as close as it gets to a Karl Denson show (since he hasn't produced a live album). This CD is still a small step down from seeing them live, but it is as good as a CD could possibly get.

I gave this CD a very generous four stars simply because the band is very tight and they lay down a VERY solid groove. My only complaint is that the songs aren't really that diverse, they all revolve around simple blues scales and don't really leave the realm of the penetonic minor. Their skill does make up for it though and that is what makes this a worthwhile album to own. The solos are passionate and soulful but the actual songs lack diversity. But I still like this album and recomend it to anyone who just wants some funky stuff to listen to.

If you like the Allstars, you'll love em live. Less produced and more engergy. If you like Grant Green, Funk, Galactic, etc. you will love these guys.

This cd is AWESOME. If you want to have some good music and some fun get this cd. Are you getting sick of all the media music? This cd is filled with the best phat rhymes and jazzy beats.

I saw the GBA Live at the Filmore last year and they just blew me away! It was the best live show i had seen in years! and that includes The P funk Allstars with Bootsie showing up and even a tiny appearance by Stevie Wonder. Iam not kidding, they really love making music and it shows! I rushed out a bought the live album so i could relive the concert over and over again. ( isnt that what happens when you FALL inlove with a band!?) They are incredible musicians that have an exciting alchemy happening between them. I love the way they do JACK RABBIT and can swirch the tone so drastically and make it so sexy. I agree that they are a LIVE Band and they dontmake the most dynamic studio records.Fortunately they frequent SAnta cruz and San Francisco enough so i will never have to go cold turkey.

Excellent improvisational jazz. Heavy bottom with incredible horns. It's hard to keep your toes from tapping.

Wasn't quite sure what to expect from this one. Knew of Karl Denson from some jams with the Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic. So I tried it and I really liked it. Good funky jazz-rock. I don't have too much other frame of reference to compare to; they are very unique, and quite good.

As many have mentioned, this is only a taste of what you will get when you see GBA live. This was recorded in their earlier days of touring(1999) and the group has evolved alot since then (What Happened to TV? is a whole new feel). This is also not an entire set list, just some select (often cover) tunes. The tight ryhthm section and Karl Denson's smashing horn lines are amazing. Being a sax player myself, this music appeals more to the jazz/fusion musicians out there, not your ordinary listener. The solos don't get old as they trade nicely between Elgin Park on guitar, Robert Walter on keys, and Denson on alto/tenor/flute. The CD is high energy the whole way. The only way to truly experience GBA is to see them live. They are keeping the funk/soul/groove sound alive. Go see them at Jazzfest!