Customer Reviews

Live/You Get What You Play For

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This CD is not a direct reproduction of the LP. This was originally a double album,that has been fit on a single CD. Among others, "157 Riverside Avenue", a classic live cut has been severely edited, removing what is, in my opinion, the best part of the entire album. If you are looking for the full version, blow the dust off your turntable and break out the vinyl.

I only own two REO releases; You Can Tuna Piano... and You Get What You Play For; and both are on vinyl. Why you may ask? Well, after reading the reviews for You Get... I decided that the only way to go was vinyl so I'd get the complete concert.

After listening to all 4 sides I've made a couple of mental notes. First, I believe that everyone that gave this cd 3 or fewer stars is correct. Until the omitted tracks are returned and the album remastered there is no sense in spending money on the cd. That brings me to the second point, remaster this album! Gary Richrath's guitar is buried too deep in the mix. It's his guitar that makes songs like 157 Riverside, The Flying Turkey Trot, and others the whole point of buying '70s rock! Remix it, add the guitar solo and Little Queenie and then the cd will truly be worth purchasing. In the meantime, if you don't have this, get it on vinyl and spin some great tunes.

P.S. REO seriously went downhill with the release of Hi Fidelity, subsequent releases, and letting go of Gary. I agree with other reviewers that the band was much better churning out Midwest bar rock instead of the sappy, love songs.

I had a big laugh reading the other reviews by the so-called REO authorities....my suggestion to these other folks.....you need to DO YOUR HOMEWORK before spouting off..by doing so...you demonstrated that you really dont have a clue about who REO really is and where they came from......1st off....Roll with the changes wasn't recorded till the "Tuna fish" lp...which followed this 1976 album in 1978....That is just the first conclusion these uninformed people jumped to. If they would have even READ the liner notes...they would have seen that this recording was from the 1975 tour....which preceeded the TUNA FISH lp by almost 3 years.

As far as sound quality...the overall sound is a tad bright and lacks a strong bottom end....but this can easily be compensated with your EQ or tone controls on your HiFi....also..the output of the recording is slightly weak...I am guessing they did this to hold the noise level down...Once again....an EQ will correct this.

I have been an REO fan since they came on the scene in 1971....as I am from central illinois...This album was recorded while the lineup of 1975....including original bassist Greg Philbin was still onhand...and in my opinion, he defined the trademark REO bass sound. Listen to his bass lines throughout the album...the playing is very strong and he gives the band a "lean into it affect" that pushes them, while maintaining a constant groove.....this was what they were known for. Many REO enthusiasts, such as myself; prefer this lineup over the later band. The songs were performed with a much stronger sincerity and less syrupy sellout, that became a trademark after 1980's Hi-Infidelty. Those who remember the REO from the first 6 albums, will have fond memories of an authentic concert band, who could hold their own against any of their contemporaries.

Bruce Hall is a great bassist...He just has a different bass technique than Greg Philbin.....Something more along the line of bassist from Journey...Foreigner...Boston....and other bands that dominated the latter 70s and early 80s.

Now.....If you want my opinion....which you're getting...whether you like it or not......this album is complete in every way shape and form....THE ONLY TRACKS THAT HAVE BEEN OMITTED ARE.."Garys guitar solo" and "Little Queenie"...I can fully understand why Garys solo was left off....it sucked and was overindulgent BS....But if you recall the T.W.O LP from 1972...Little Queenie was a major rocker and even extended it out with the help of Memphis, TN sax lengend Boots Randolph (Yackety sax fame)..and they do a very good live rendition on the Live LP...altho it got cut too short...all the other songs are complete and as they originally appeared on the vinyl lp.

For the price....this cd is far from being a ripoff.....the people who criticized and condemned this cd are people who became REO fans after 1980 and have absolutely no idea of the band that existed before that time...and they would also have no appreciation for a band that was truly a creative, driving force in the midwest...back in 1971-1976..before they became nationally famous.

BUY THE CD AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELF...YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED!

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later note.....the 4 people who didn't find this helpful were obviously those who prefer the post 1980 version of REO....To them...all I can say is......I sympathize the fact you were born late and missed the best musical period this band ever had. (1971-76)

This really makes me angry.
They cut Little Queenie and Gary's Guitar Solo.
157 Riverside Avenue, and Flying Turkey Trot are not complete.
I guess if you never heard the LP (vinyl) you'd never know the difference.
True REO fans are not buying it. I've had this abortion a couple of years now and I'm still steamed.

This is what happens when you hand over an important decision to the wrong person. Disaster is the natural consequence. The guy who took editorial decisions in this CD, either never heard of (pre-commercial) REO or just doesn't give a damn about excellent music. Indeed, what this guy did should be illegal and I firmly believe that he should be punished. The old vinyl version is simply a masterpiece and this one is just a dismembered version. But it still has some value, I guess. As a torn and stained famous painting still has some value. Just be aware that, by buying this CD, you are really getting a torn and stained masterpiece and, worse still, you are probably condoning the irresponsible individual who did the cutting. And yes, Little Queenie, the complete 157 Riverside Avenue, Gary's Guitar Solo and Flying Turkey Trot are well worth one star each.

First. I agree with those who feel that this abreviated version of the album isn't as good as the original vinyl release. Part of the appeal of the original recording was that it faithfully captured REO's set at that time which is why it was considered by fans as being a good release. They played well and there did not appear to be lots of overdubs or added studio trickery. On the other hand I cannot say that the omission of Gary's guitar solo was a bad thing since his solo tone wasn't exactly my favorite sound. Having seen REO during their heyday I've always felt that they were a solid act who knew their set well but they lacked the necessary charisma to command the rock arenas they found themselves playing as their career progressed.

This isn't to say that they were bad just that they appeared to be more comfortable in the clubs and I don't think they themselves would be uncomfortable with that characterization. In any case for me the highlight of this record is "Golden Country". Obviously "Riding The Storm Out" is their closer (it always was) and it has alot of energy. As you know they eventually went on to significant popular success and mutated into something of a ballad machine. I wasn't totally surprised by this direction since it was clear to me that they were lacking a strong,obvious identity and looked out of place say next to bands like Rush or Blue Oyster Cult (bands they were supporting at the time) . I suppose there was only so much mileage they could get out of being a midwestern band with a middle of the road approach. So becoming a pop band was probably a very good move for them and it certainly put some money in their pockets though it rapidly became the Kevin Cronin show.

The bottom line here is that its a solid live album which was released at a time when everbody was releasing live albums though many were of inferior quality. In my mind were I to recommend a REO record to someone this would be it because it documents a solid music set at a time in their career when they were on the rise.

Can't tell you how many times I listened to this album in the 70's and 80's. Almost listened to it non-stop to Florida and back for spring break back then. My friends and I heard Little Queenie over and over and over. As soon as I found out that Little Queenie was cut from the CD release, I returned it. I suppose that I'll have to wait until someone at the studio hears enough complaints to re-release the original full album version of this REO masterpiece. I don't know what to say about my disappointment of 157 Riverside either. Should have been left as it was. Somebody really screwed up tampering with an old favorite, and it seems I'm not alone in feeling this way!

Live recordings are always the second best way to enjoy a great rock and roll band like REO. Here are 9 tracks written by Gary Richrath and 4 by Kevin Cronin. The blend is perfect and these two should get it back together. Gary wrote (mainly) Like You Do, Lay Me Down, Any Kind of Love, Only A Summer Love, Son of a Poor Man, Flying Turkey Trot, 157 Riverside Avenue (the full length version), Ridin' the Storm Out and Golden Country. Kevin wrote Being Kind, Keep Pushin', I Believe Our Time Is Gonna Come and Music Man. If ever an album had some great tunes on it, this is one. Gary's smokin riffs and Kevins perfect for rock voice makes this one of the best bands ever. Just listen to them spar off on 157. There are two songs from the original album missing, however the rest remain intact and are a work of art. By the way, there must be another cd out there with 15 tracks and a shortened version of 157 according to some of the other write-ups.

Anyway, the only way to beat listening to this cd is to hear them live. There is just one hitch, they don't have Gary anymore and I can't think of a worse thing to happen to a truly great band. I am so glad I got to see them live (twice) before they lost Gary. Buy this one to experience the band at it's best in 1977.

I listened to the vinyl until my turntable died. When I found it on CD, I was elated. UNTIL I found that the best part of the recording (Gary's Guitar Solo, Flying Turkey Trot, 157 Riverside Avenue) was NOT how it was originally recorded. I made a b-line to the store and returned it. Sony, PLEASE release a COMPLETE two CD version. Charge whatever you want for it. I don't care. JUST DO IT!

because it truly is awesome.

and put little queenie back on there!!