Customer Reviews

Live From the Middle East

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Recorded during the Bosstones annual hometown throwdown shows right after their breakthrough album Let's Face It, Live from the Middle East actually does a good job capturing the essence of the Bosstones live. It features classic songs as well as a ton of songs off of Let's Face It, all in all it's a massive 22 song collection and every song sounds great. The set opens with 1-2-8 off of Let's Face It, it then goes into the classics Do Somethin Crazy, He's Back and one of my favorite Bosstones songs Devil's Night Out. With this live album they also breathe new life into songs such as Dr.D, Howwhywuz Howwhyam, Cowboy Coffee, and Where'd You Go. All of which are highlights of the album. Songs such as Kinder Words, Hope I Never Lose My Wallet, and Hell of a Hat also sound just as good live maybe even better than their studio recordings. Other songs from Let's Face It include the title track, Rascal King, Noise Brigade, Royal Oil, and their hit single, The Impression that I Get. The band sounds very tight on the live album, as any band would after touring for months at a time. Honestly the one low point of the album is the song Royal Oil, I'm just not a fan of that song, I actually think it's one of the worst song's they've ever recorded. The album ends on a great note also with The Impression that I Get, the classic Someday I Suppose (also featured in the movie Clueless), and the short Lights Out, which features the band members going back and forth singing to each other, definately a highlight of the live album. Live from the Middle East is definately worth the money, of course nothing will ever capture the essence of the Bosstones live but this cd comes extremely close, you should definately check them out if you get the chance to.

Ahhh yes, the Bosstones. Easily the best ska band on Earth, and also, tons of fun played live. With five albums already under their belt, they had the choice of doing a greatest hits, or a live album. They did both, playing their greatest hits live at a little spot on Boston called The Middle East. Man, can these guys do it all! They played every song to perfection, kept the crowd roaring, and overall put on an excellent show to be recorded and created into a live album. This is one of the better live albums that I've heard, with only Metallica's "S&M" and the like. Yes, lead singer Dicky Barrett's voice is brutal at times, but you will soon learn to forgive him and just listen to the great music. The best songs on this collection are "1-2-8", "Someday I Suppose", "Where'd You Go", "The Impression That I Get", and "Hope I Never Lose My Wallet". Overall, all fans of the Bosstones should buy this. All fans of ska music should buy this. All fans of great live shows go buy this. You will not be dissapointed.

This cd is incredible, the tones are incredible live, I don't know how anybody could give this any less than 5 stars!! I love Dr. D live, the song is sweet, I'm glad to see the tones are getting back to their old school roots.

For those of you who have followed the Bosstones for more than the past year, meaning a hard-core fan of at least three years, owner of all other albums, and a veteran of 2 or more Bosstones concerts, this latest LP is a must. Middle East is a great combination of many tracks from Devil's Night Out through Let's Face It. It is the ultimate, unedited collection of the Bosstones' best. You will be taken back to the 'Pit by this LP. From Dickey's interludes to the inevitable fan interaction, the Bosstones again have proven why they have continued their tours for nearly 10 years. Although, a great album, for a new fan to the Bosstones, particularly one that has not met Dennis, Ben, Joe, or Dickey selling T-Shirts at one of their inner-city venues, More Noise & Other Disturbances and Devil's Night Out are prerequisites. (If you have yet to experience a concert, learn the lyrics, wear something PLAID that will survive the MOSH PIT, and go as many times as possible.) For those of you who share my love of the Bosstones, listen to Royal Oil with Pride and sit back with another MMB masterpiece. TJD

... "if dimension, fidelity, and artistry are more your bag, Live pretty much bites. --Sue VanHecke"

Sorry Sue, I can't agree with that. Saying the Bosstones lack artistry is almost laughable. The Tones showcase some of the most talented musicians I've come across in my time. Masterful bass playing, a tight brass section, excellent guitar work and frankly, Dicky Barrett's vocal's are individual, endearing and soulful.

All up a great CD!

Wow...wow is all I can say about this display of live concert music. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are my favorite band, and I completed my collection of their cd's by laying down $18 for this cd- and I don't regret it oooone bit.
Between the awesome blend of songs from all their albums and the raw energy being witnessed, this cd can please anyone who's in the room. Cd's such as Devil's Night Out and More Noises and Other Disturbances weren't all that great to me...but this cd has made me come to love both of those "okay" cd's just because hearing some older songs by MMB played live seemed to bring a new light over them!
It's plain and simple...BUY THIS ALBUM! It's a must-have for annny MMB fan.

Like the Grateful Dead, the Bosstones are better live than recorded. This is essentially a live greatest hits album. It has all the songs of theirs that I could name, good sound, and an amazing 22 tracks. It's the only Bosstones disc I need, especially with "Where'd you go", "Someday I suppose", and half of the "Let's face it" album. Who needs that anymore. If you enjoy that "live" energy, and listen to bands like Fishbone and The Reverend Horton Heat, you'll love this.

This live CD by the Bosstones is also a nice pre-Pay Attention "greatest hits" collection. Songs are taken from everything from Devil's Night Out to More Noise... to Don't Know How To Party. Many selections also come from Let's Face It. The recording quality is not as bad as some may say. All the songs do credit to the studio versions, with that touch that can only be felt live. The only song that just plain stinks is "The Impression That I Get" because it does nothing to capture the essence of the original masterpiece. Dicky's voice is in top-form, and he switches from growling to his deep tone very nicely. So there you have it. A live 22-track compilation of some of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones greatest. My only gripes are the bad quality of song 20 and all the unneeded language.

I am A Beantown born Bosstones fanatic, and have been since 1989. This is my favorite bosstones cd,and I own them all. These guys are incredible live, and this cd captures alot of thier energy!! And after "Lets face it" it was good to hear the bosstones back to thier old ska-core selves!!THESE GUYS DO KNOW HOW TO PARTY!

Warning: Ignore all the people who have written in complaing about Dickie's voice. They are ignorant. In the genre ska-core, ska comes from (you guessed it) ska, and core from hard-core. Dicky, along with occasional riffs from Nate Albert make up the hard-core portion of the 'Tones sound. This album is one of the best live albums that I have ever heard and I suggest that you buy it. Dickie's voice is brilliantly harsh which makes for a wonderful hard-core experience similar to Sick of it All while the horn section makes this album so much fun. And unlike many live albums, this one has a great mix, one in which you will hear some of the spiciest bass lines ever (check out "Doves and Civilians").