Live at the Opera House [Live]

Pointer Sisters | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 1, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 1974
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Hip-O Select
• ASIN: B000BPN1N2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #275,907 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Thirty years before the current standards craze, and a couple of years before everyone followed Peter Frampton into the double-live-album game, the Pointer Sisters recorded an impressive concert set in San Francisco's Opera House. As was their usual style, the musical program was all over the map, from country to swing to blues. The record begins with a rather extended (over seven minutes' worth) "Overture," which would make the casual listener wonder if the Pointers were ever actually coming out to perform. But it was all part of heightening the expectation, and the album launches out of the gate in grand style when the Sisters get out from behind the curtain with a version of "Salt Peanuts" that would do Lambert Hendricks Ross proud. Despite having had only two records under their collective belts, the Pointers were a formidable live act; during the show, they not only reprised virtually every song from their petite catalogue, but they also got a chance to wedge in a credible update of Jerry Butler/Betty Everett (or Everly Brothers, if you prefer) hit, "Let It Be Me." Most artists would be wary of approaching a double live album even after their careers were well established; that the Pointers could do it so successfully so early is testament to their capacious talent. Newly remastered by Grammy-winning engineer Gavin Lurssen of The Mastering Lab in 2004, this release features the same type of gatefold packaging that accompanied the original vinyl album.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Answer To A Prayer..., March 3, 2002

By 

Drew Jansen (Golden Valley, Minnesota United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Live at the Opera (Audio CD)

This disc should be required listening in every music school in the country. Sure, there are some less-than-polished moments, but it's such a vibrant album...the raw edges just give it that much more character. This is what real voices sound like, ladies and gentlemen, before microcircuitry took the place of talent in the recording studio. I still get a chill right before the Sisters make their entrance..."Whoooo! Here come the Pointers!" yells one of the gals. Indeed.

The precise stereo placement of the 4 (yes, there once were FOUR Pointer Sisters; come back, Bonnie...all is forgiven!) individual voices amplifies the energy of the numerous scat solos. Quite a lot of humor, as well--The "Old Songs" medley still cracks me up. One of my favorite albums of my youth, and now it's on CD.

Prayers ARE answered.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These brown babies gonna boogie for you!, November 18, 2001

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at the Opera (Audio CD)

Wow, does this album kick! I'm not a big fan of most live albums, but this one is just outstanding, all the way from the incredible opening overture to the walk-off. It just shows how incredibly talented and versatile the Pointer Sisters were and still are.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE THESE WOMEN!!!, September 29, 2003

By 

T. A. Seastedt (Exton, PA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Live at the Opera (Audio CD)

Oh my...the Pointer Sisters bring so much joy to my heart. I listen to their incredible harmonies, tight syncopation and amazing energy...and it's all wonderful! This is the very best representation of what The Sisters express in creative power. I love their most recent disco and dance tunes, too...but this is raw Pointer Sisters and it is GOOD! You will not be disappointed.