Customer Reviews

Live in London

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

 

 

This album is of clear listening quality. The songs are good - an excellent introduction to what Gary Numan sounds like now. For some reason most people think that musicians stand still, and many have not realised that Numan is now well in the mainstream of rock, with Gothic and industrial overtones. The concert was recorded in 1997, and so does not include any of the songs from the universally-acclaimed 2000 album 'Pure'. But that means you get more of the tracks which you longer hear at a Numan show!
If you agree with my 4-star rating, go for some more of the 4 and 5-star raters.....

If you're one of the many that wrote Gary Numan off after his song "Cars" peaked, you're missing one of the most extraordinary musical artists out there. He's been critisized for copying David Bowie, but quite honestly, in some ways I find Numan better and more interesting. And as far as the comparison goes, that was made years ago and really isn't all that relevant. The man has an amazing back catalog of music. I was able to see Gary on this tour when he made the rounds in America. It was my first "live" Nuamn experience and thought is was one of the best shows I ever saw (that's 20 years of concerts by the way!).

This concert was recorded back at the start of his '97 tour promoting "Exile." The set list touches from almost ever era of Gary's lengthy career, so there's something here for almost everyone. It's a bit of a different set list than what I remember (I think the reworked "Friends" started off the show I saw), but it's just as good. But like the show I saw, the sound was muffled. That comes through on the CD and prevents me from giving it a five star rating.

Superb live double-cd recorded in London in 1997. Last year Cleopatra released Scarred, which was recorded in 2000, but this show is far more powerful and rocking. Great selection of songs, well produced, clear, crisp sound - one of the better live albums. Highly recommended.

This must be the TOP of the LIVE c.d.'s he has brought out! This is right up there with his Living Ornaments '79, '80, '81, and White Noise. Which are in my opinion very powerful LIVE c.d.'s. It's to bad that Eagle did not bring out this recording earlier, Great selection of songs and Numans voice sounds amazing!

Gary Numan has always been an interesting musician. He was always one of those Post-Bowie alienated popstars. He became more known for use of the synthesizer than John Foxx and David Sylvian, the other Bowie/Roxy Music inspired artists of his generation. Gary Numan was more of a straight rock and roller, much in the vein of Thin Lizzy. Once he had a hit with "Are Friends Electric?" and "Cars" things changed fast. He became the first new wave star. Gary Numan came out with five albums in five years. He burned out fast and started flying planes. He inspired a whole generation of new musicians. When he came back in the 1990s, he returned to more aggressive material, and became more like Nine Inch Nails. Trent Reznor was a fan and played with Numan in those years. I saw Gary Numan play soon after this London show at the end of 1997. This was recorded on his Exile Tour. It was at a time when Numan's records were re-released and he began playing more. All the hits are here. He still plays songs like "Films" and "Metal" live today. Most of these songs are given a heavy metal treatment. This was a big tour for fans of the Exile album.