Customer Reviews

Live @ Westbeth Theater

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

 

 

After the disintegration of the highly influencial punk rock band, Black Flag, lead singer Henry Rollins should have slid slowly into obscurity. However, Rollins' relentless drive to achieve and succeed have helped him to become one of the most respected figures in rock'n'roll today. In addition to his Rollins Band records, television appearances, and books, Rollins has also made a name for himself as a spoken word artist, telling tales of his rock'n'roll exploits, his opinions on current events, and his everyday life to loyal fans all over the world.

Live @ Westbeth Theater runs in the vein of his many prior spoken word releases. Rollins shares more tales of his rock'n'roll life, including a visit to an LA club to attend a Ratt reunion show. Rollins also shares with the crowd his anxieties about having recently turned 40, and what the future might hold for this "aging alternative icon." Westbeth Theater is yet another example of Rollins' stellar story-telling ability and should amuse even those who are not familiar with Rollins or any of his previous work. That's why I give this 2-disc CD set five stars!

*However, this record (like many of Rollin's records) does contain strong language and themes, so I would not recommend it for younger listeners!

you really could call it either. regardless, this is an album worth picking up, whether or not you're familiar with Rollins, his stories or his energy. Picture Dennis Leary's energy mixed with the posative enthusiasm of a guidance counsellor and the stories as tall as ewan mcgregor in a tim burton film.

In this particular event, he takes through his views on Lemmy from Motorhead, the Kennedy family, and cheese-metal among other things.

i think the sign of a good spoken word cd is that you listen to as much as a good music cd. I can that for any of David Cross' two stand up albums, and I can say that for this one, or any of Rollins' releases.

While all of Henry Rollins' spoken word albums are worth hearing, Live at the Westbeth Theater is the best one of the lot. Showing a self-deprecating sense of humor not found in his music, Henry's spoken word shows are similar to seeing a top notch comic. Henry is a master storyteller and while he can go off the original subject at any given moment, he usually keeps you interested. Live at the Westbeth Theater cuts out the occasional rambling from the Talk is Cheap albums and is hard hitting from beginning to end. Some of the best stories include playing a festival with Sheryl Crow, attending a Ratt concert in a small club many years past their prime, and his thoughts about the Kennedys. "I Smell a Ratt 4" is particularly hysterical as he discusses the use of the English language by people who usually don't use it. All of "The Undoing of a Man", which discusses a male's inevitable plunge into domesticity, is classic. In addition, his impressions of people, particularly Lemmy from Motorhead, are spot on. All told, this album shows Henry at his best. If you've never heard his spoken word shows, this is a great place to start. I would also recommend Henry's albums to fans of topical comics such as Lewis Black or George Carlin since his albums are just as thought provoking with less profanity. Highly recommended.

great price, shipped and received promptly and in good shape. My only complaint, which really doesn't have anything to do with the seller, is that the sound quality is kind of crappy; it goes from really loud to soft to uber loud again. Ah, well...Henry's worth it:)