Customer Reviews

Live at Hammersmith 1979

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

 

 

The story behind this disc makes it even more astounding: we are dealing with the last date of The Nuge's 1979 European Tour, and since Ted wouldn't extend the tour despite huge popular demand, he decided to play three (3!) consecutive gigs on the same night!!!!! This being the last one of those, ie. his 3rd gig of the night, goes a long way towards explaining why the sound is so good, but how the **** did Ted & the band get this intensity into the show? My favourite Ted Nugent live recording by far, and yes, that IS including Double Live Gonzo and the new Full Bluntal Nugity.

Forget about Double Live Gonzo, this is the Motor City Madman is action. Reaking havoc and mayhem upon the people in London, Terrible Teddy crushes the Brits with high decible amps and screams. There is no other terrifying live album like this one. I feel sorry for the crowd that night, cause Ted let them have it. Get this album, you won't be sorry you did.

Ted Nugent's career can be thought of in five slices: pre-75/Amboy Dukes, 75-79 golden years, 79-mid 80s in the pop wilderness, Damn Yankees, and elder statesman. Everything put out by the first incarnation of "Ted Nugent" the band (75-79), co-led by wildly underrated singer, songwriter, guitarist Derek St. Holmes is great, classic rock (the albums Ted Nugent, Free For All, Cat Scratch Fever, Weekend Warrior...). The grooves groove, the screams scream, and these records and a stunning live presentation made Nugent the #1 livedraw in the US for several years. Artistic differences led to the split-up of the original band just before the Hammersmith concerts which were recorded for this album. New crooner Charlie Huhn did yeoman work, but over the ensuing albums the vibe was diminished and so soon was Nugent's popularity. While the studio stuff with Huhn was mostly blah (a few tracks on State of Shock and Scream Dream do kick though), the London concerts were a coup de grace and the resulting recording is exciting, powerful, fast, distorted and ridiculous -- in other words, vintage Nugent. Not a good intro to the Motor City Madman for new listeners (try Great Gonzos or any of the recent re-compilations for that), but for fans and casual fans, a highly worthwhile document of a great entertainer in his manic prime. The preposterous bombast of the liner notes, rife with arrogance and humor, are worth about half the CD price on their own to those who love or loved the Nuge. And by the way, as of the late 90s Derek St. Holmes and Nugent are together again -- check out Ted's radio show in Detroit on which Derek guests often, or the Spirit of the Wild album.

This archival release by Ted Nugent is just as good as DOUBLE LIVE GONZO. The only drag is that it contains a bit too much talking, but that's a minor quibble. Charlie Huhn was an excellent replacement for Derek St. Holmes, carrying the torch into the 80s for the Motor City Madman. Get this one if you can.

I am a huge Ted Nugent fan, and even I will say that this is not worth buying. It almost seems like the band isn't even trying on half of the songs. The commentary in between songs is not good either, as Ted just rambles non sensical words, cussing when he can't think of anything better to say. This concert was after Derek St. Holmes was replaced as lead singer, and the band obviously suffered without his vocals. On the songs that Ted sings, he does a half-hearted job. This is not him at his best no matter what any of the other reviews say. Buy Double Live Gonzo to truly appreciate a Ted Nugent live show and forget about this one.

then BUY THIS CD! IT'S KILLER! The live version of 'Stormtroopin' on THIS release is INCREDIBLE! Worth buying it for that live track alone! Nuff said...buy it...then go out to the wilds of where ever it is you live, listen to this album and... [engage in whatever wild and seemingly reckless activity you like to do!] A perfect companion to double live-GONZO!

I think the band sounds good here, I don't know why there are several poor reviews, it's not as powerful as some other shows of his perhaps but it is still a slamblast show CIrca 1979. Ted was at his peak and this one is a welcome addition to the nuges live repertoire. It rocks ted style and that's good enough.

Ted Nugent always puts on a 5 star live show and this one is no exception. Great sound quality, awesome musicianship and great set list. Awesome Live set!

I'm not sure if the reviewers giving this anything over a single star have the same CD that I do, but the sound quality sucks. Was Ted going deaf by the time he approved this? Intensities, Double-Live Gonzo and Full Bluntal Nugity are all worthy recordings of this great musician, but this dreck? No way! I was really pissed when I bought this, and have only listened to it once. Save your money. This thing sounds like it was recorded from out on the sidewalk maybe a block or two from the venue. Yuk!!! (Yep, even though I've owned this since it came out, my wallet still smarts from the money I wasted)

Early Ted just as crazy as the later Ted! Bought the CD also bought his DVD, both outstanding! Great entertainment by far...