Customer Reviews

Live From the Union Chapel

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

 

 

This album is everything a fan could want in a live CD! Great song choices, very emotional performance, and the songs get different takes in this live setting which makes the whole disc a treat! Definitely a five star disc if you are already a fan of Damien Rice!

If you are a fan of Damien you must get this. If you are a fan of Lisa Hannigan (his songbird) you definitely must get this. She has 3 solo songs on here that I have on constant play mode on my ipod. Particularly, the Nina Simone song "Be My Husband". She shines live. "Then Go" is also great and showcases more of Damien's lyrical gift of dark emotions. The sound quality is not that bad for a live cd.

In October, 2007, "Live at Fingerprints Warts & All" was released, an 8 track live in-store performance, recorded in late 2006, and focusing equally on his "O" and "9" albums. Only a month later this release came out of the blue, another short live album.

"Live at Union Chapel" (8 tracks; 36 min.) was recorded in 2003 on the "O" tour, and hence focuses on that album, with 5 tracks: "Delicate", "The Blower's Daughter", a ferocious "Volcano", "Amie", and the traditional "Silent Night", an astounding a-capella version by vocalist Lisa Hannigan. The remainder songs on here are non-album tracks "Then Go" and "Baby Sister" and "Be My Husband". Let me be upfront and state unequivocally that this is a superb collection of songs: Damien Rice and his band are in peak form throughout. (It's regretful that Lisa Hannigan's role on the "9" was severely dimished, in my opinion).

For my money, if the choice is between "Live at Fingerprints" or this, there is no contest: "Live at Union Chapel" wins hands down. But why this release only has 8 tracks, I haven't a clue, and it's a shame. This could have been a 5 star release, but I can't rate it more than 4 stars because of the startling lack of additional material (only 36 min. long?). And why this is released now (as opposed to, say, 2004), again no clue. That said, if you have a chance to see Damien Rice in concert, do not miss the opportunity! I saw Damien and the band (including Lisa) here in Cincinnati in Spring 2004 on the "O" tour and it was a most memorable evening. For that reason alone "Live at Union Chapel" is an excellent memento of that for me.

`Live From the Union Chapel' is a definite must have for any fan of Damien Rice, but even for those new to the brilliance that is this man the album will serve as a great introduction to the hype. Having personally seen this man live I can honestly say that this album brings back great memories, but it still does no justice to the real thing so I feel that I must state that if ever you have the opportunity to see him live please do take it up for his live show is just outstanding. This album captures beautifully the serene yet commanding atmosphere that is created at one of Rice's shows. Taking a few tracks from his debut album `O' and incorporating some rarely heard tracks `Live From the Union Chapel' is an orgasmic companion to Damien's other albums.

The album starts with `Delicate' and immediately you realize that this live disc is going to be much superior to the rest. When attending a Rice concert you'll notice that the audience is filled to the brim with people that respect this man for the artist that he really is and so there is rarely a word spoken while he's performing. This fact carries well over onto this album. His words are clear and understandable. `Delicate' bleeds right into his biggest hit `Blowers Daughter' which is approached delicately and effortlessly. In fact I'm almost tempted to say that the live version transcends the original recorded version for the emotion and power is so evident in his voice. `Volcano' is probably his best live performance, on this disc but also when I saw him perform. He really takes the song to new heights with the musical arrangement. It's powerful, edgy and raw and I just love it. Also from `O' we have my personal favorite Rice song ever recorded `Amie'. The live version on this album is not a brilliant as when I saw him myself. If fact, I prefer the album version to this, but he still kills it, seriously.

Damien's former muse Lisa Hannigan (I say former since she no longer sings with him but has left to pursue a solo career) has her moments to shine on songs like the beautifully restrained `Then Go'. Her voice is haunting and soothing and perfectly compliments the guitar work. She also dominates on `Be My Husband' where the tribalesque drum beats lend her a backbeat to bare her soul, and that she does. `Baby Sister' is one of the best tracks here, from the powerful lyrics and the somber, calming musical arrangement complete with some beautiful cello work. I'm dying for Damien to release a studio recording of this track, it's that orgasmic. The ending with the vocal interchange between Rice and Hannigan is so haunting, so masterful.

The album closes with Lisa Hannigan blowing us away on `Silent Night' which is a hidden track on `O'. It's a beautiful way to end the album regardless of your religious background. It's just a beautifully sung song that perfectly embellishes Hannigan's talent. If you've discovered the brilliance that is Damien Rice then this is an album you need to pick up for it stands apart from his previous work, and if you have yet to embrace Rice for all that he is then this album will most likely do the trick.

This is one of the best cds I own. I got it free a year or so ago as a member of BMG. They sent it as a bonus based on other stuff I'd ordered. I never heard of Damien before this, but he's become one of my favorite artists. Delicate and Blower's Daughter are amazing...I recommend getting this cd. If you can find it cheaper elsewhere, then by all means, but it is a must have for any true collection.

I really enjoy the live performances. Although I wish I could be there, this is a great substitute. I usually listen to music for long periods of time in the background - which makes live shows a great background.

There are some great songs on here - The Blower's Daughter, Volcano, Then Go -- all great performances. Damien is great with and without Lisa (and Lisa is good on this album).

Lets see. I like Damien Rice. A lot. I would buy his cd if it sucked. Because, I've bought other cd's that sucked because I liked their previous work. And then I listened to it, and said. Man, this sucks, I wish I didn't buy this.
Well, I am fortunate. Because I downloaded this from amazon.mp3 for about 9 bucks. And, it doesn't suck. It's actually perfect. Of course I wish it had more of the guy talking in between songs like people tend to do at concerts. but, so what. It has a bunch of Lisa Hannigan songs that I'd never heard that are very very good. Personally I like "Then Go"

So, if your a fan. Want to hear live versions. Then buy this.
If your not a fan, then this is a good start.

I like Damion Rice's music a great deal. He's one of my favorite artists. I listen to "O" at least once a week. This album contains 4 songs from that album plus 4 other other songs. I like Lisa Hannigan, but the song "Then Go" is too dark for me. Her version of "Silent Night" is tuneful, but seems misplaced on this CD. Her harmonies with Damion are phenomenol and I'm sure she'd do great on a solo album but her songs on this album don't fit what I expected. The version of "Volcano" on this CD is the best song on the album and probably a bit freer and better than the version on "O" (though both are outstanding).

If you want to buy just one Damion Rice CD, don't spend the big bucks on this CD. Buy "O".

I'm not a fan of Damien Rice. I first noticed him on MTV, when I saw his Volcano video. I initially thought it was overproduced. Then I bought this album out of curiosity. Listening to Damien Rice live was impressive. This version of Volcano came off much more natural sounding. Even more impressive is listening to Lisa Hannigan. I had the same reaction to her vocals on these songs as I had with Lisa Gerard with Dead Can Dance. Damien and Lisa compliment eachother a lot like Brendan with Lisa Gerard. Lastly, the cello in Volcano sounds a lot like Yo Yo Ma in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or is that my imagination?

This really is a great CD...there's nothing like Damien live. But I literally bought this on ebay a few years ago for around 8 dollars. If you can pick this up for a reasonable price...I would highly recommend it. B-sides is also a good choice for those interested in a few songs that aren't on "O".