Customer Reviews

Live in New York City

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is Black 47's best CD. Black 47 is one of the best live bands around, always giving 110%, and this album helps you appreciate their original sound and their hard work. This is also their last album with Chris still in the band, and his voice and hip-hop influences are currently missed. Every person for whom I have played this album is now a Black 47 fan as well, joining the loyal family of followers.

They cover Dylan, Bob Marley, and the Clash but they do it with the classic Irish flair as only Black 47 can. Kirwan's voice has never sounded worse but that is what makes the album so brilliant. It is almost endearing. This live version of "Funky Ceili" may be the best ever. "Green Suede Shoes" sounds great live as well. The vocals in "40 Shades of Blue" are excruciating but somehow suit the song perfectly. This album is good drunken fun.

I first discovered Black 47 at the tender age of 18 (sneaking into Paddy Reilly's on Saturdays to watch the band). Every show was a new experience. Never had I been part of a crowd so affected by the music. And this CD captures that feeling. If you are a longtime fan, this is one to pick up to enjoy the live experience at home. If you are a newcomer to the Black 47 phenomena, pick this CD up to sample the flavor of one of their shows. Great fix for when you're jonezing for a Black 47 hit.

I have been a Black 47 fan since '93, when I bought "Fire of Freedom". Since then, though all the albums, my one regret was never getting to see them live. When I felw to Scotland this past March I had a layover for 6 hours in Dublin Airport. Browsing through the music shop, I came across this gem. I spent the whole time in the airport listening to the album, and even managed to grab a pint of Guinness to make the experience complete. The live treatment of my favorite songs is outstanding, and tributes to the two Bobs (Marley and Dylan) are pefectly executed. If you are a fan of the boys from the Bronx, then you need to have this CD.

Black 47 moved on to Decatur Avenue in the Bronx roughly 8 years ago. I know because I lived on Decatur Avenue for 18 years and I've seen them play live in all the bars on Bainbridge Avenue (none of which are around) they mention in there song Rockin' The Bronx. The Village Pub, The Phoenix are no longer around but I'm sure you can catch the at Paddy Rielly's in Manhattan. If you don't get a chance to see them live BUY THIS CD! They are an amazing band from an amazing time in the Bronx!

LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY puts Black 47 in a time capsule. A band that feeds on audience participation and feedback, Black 47 is in its element here, jumping on Rudy Giuliani, yelling at the slam dancers, and making the audience work as hard as they do. The band is as loose as can be, reflecting Kirwan's sheer joy as a performer, the band going off on tangent's and other than telling the audience that this was being recorded, you get the feeling that this is the way the band always approaches a show and this is the way the audience always responds. Mixing Irish Ska with protests and reels, the band really doesn't fit into any category save one: a live band that gives the audience all they can ask for.

Black 47 is straight up raw and unradio friendly. Its all about having a good time and being moved. This cd still doesnt come close to seeing them but I guess its the closest thing. Larry's guitar playing isnt the most skillful but when your lyrics and music are based on blood and love, they dont have to be. The cd is nice but see these guys live! James Conelly will bring you to tears every time.

What is there to say about this band, the music speaks for itself. For those of you not fortunate enough to experience Black 47 live, this is the next best thing. Ive been following Black 47 since 1989 and they just keep on putting out better and better songs with every new CD.

Black 47 drive home the mad joy and the sorrowful rage that brought millions of folks to the shores of America, and that still seethes within so many of them and their descendants. The wonder of it is that this band is great, grand fun! Dance, laugh, and learn a hell of a lot while you do. You can't go wrong with this cd--arguably their best because it catches their monstrous energy when in front of a live crowd of their rabid fans. The moment when uileann-piper/rebel/ex-cop/rapper Chris Seanachai Byrne tells a bunch of happy drunks to stop stepping on the kids up front, "cuz alternative radio don't play us, and we don't put up with that alternative bullshit" is priceless, as is the mad cacaphony of "The Reels" instrumental jam, and the searing truth of Larry Kirwan's narrative in "Fanatic Heart". You can feel the energy surges between crowd and band, spinning off this disc. How to turn disappointment into grandeur and glory. Ya gotta hear this one!

This CD is the closest I can get to the "old" days (yeah, the mid-90's), back in NY. It's great on a Saturday night-especially here in LA, where I can't chill w/my buddies in Connolly's or Rocky Sullivan's back East. If you visit NY, or live there, you MUST check these places out AND take in a live B47 show................... It's a wonderful thing.