Customer Reviews

Live at the Opera

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Prior to the Pointer Sister's refocusing that started with the 1978 album "Energy", and their ranks reducing from 4 to 3, the Pointer's were known as a tight vocal group focusing on Blues, R & B, Swing, and Country (yes, Country). THis excellent live set from 1974 captures this era to a tee.

The full orchestra completes this richness of the sound, and adds of touch of classical with their intro "Prelude to Islandia". Most of their early hits are represented here from "Wang Dang Doodle", "Jada", "Shaky Flat Blues" to their Grammy winning country song "FairyTale", to a great Medley of "Old Songs" that includes a cover of one the Andrews Sister's classics (Beir Mis Du Schein).

The Pointer's really get down on this set and the funky live reads of "Steam Heat", "Yes We Can Can" and in particular "Love In Then Thar Hills" take these tracks light years ahead of the studio versons. Bonnie's solo of "Black Coffee" reminds me why she has always been my favorite 'sista.

NOTE: There is a concert video that was made by HBO titled "The Pinter Sisters Live in Africa", this benefit for Zaire contains some of the songs on this set, BUT the quality is not there and Ruth was ill at the time so they did this show as a threesome.
If you can find this tape, notice that most of the band is wearing "Live At The Opera House" T-Shirts.

I loved the Pointer Sisters the best when it was the original 4 sisters and their nostalgic/r@b blend was very unique. There musicality was a rare gift. This live recording LIVE AT THE OPERA HOUSE was a favorite of mine when a teen and here it is on cd gloriously remastered.

Talk about eclectic. Salt Peanuts will make you dizzy with is amazing speed and harmony. Hands Up/ Wang Dang Doodle allows the sisters to do their amazing improvizational stunts and they soar. The hits Fairytale, Shaky Flat Blues and Steam Heat are all amazing. Each sister gets their time in the spotlight but it is singing together that they are majestic.

This music is not dated in the least and it puts modern day young r@b singers to shame. Just pure, raw music talent. This is one of the best live sets of any genre. The ending Love In Them There Hills is a tour de force. You must listen to this to believe its magic. I highly recommend this to any true music lover.

It was one of the most magical nights of my life. The War Memorial Opera House in SF. The sisters were nothing short of amazing. We sat in an upper balcony and it was over all too soon. I bought the vinyl released shortly after the concert and I wore that album out. I had no idea it was re-released in CD format. I am so excited!

....the backing rock band was the GREAT Hoodoo Rhythm Devils band, which vanished much to soon, without even any fun stuff to see on YouTube. AFA this album goes, somebody bitched at me because I dissed Harry Connick's version of "Yes, We Can Can"(I didn't connect it was a Nawlins benefit & an Allan Toussaint tune), but I'm sorry, Crescent City, the seminal version of that tune is here, or possibly just the first cut on their first LP. I almost feel sorry for people who dismiss the Pointers as disco. They were way too fine for those people!

This live set was one of my favorite live albums from the 1970's (see my listmania, Live Albums of The 70's).

Back in the day all 4 Pointer Sisters, released 2 breakthrough studio albums that mixed, Pop, Blues, Standards, Jazz and Country. Live At The Opera House captures it all.

Their hits of the time are here, Yes, We Can Can, Jada, Wang Dang Doodle, Steam Heat, as is their Grammy Award Winning Country song, Fairytale. Bonnie delivers a great read of Black Coffee, and the group updates the Pop Tune, Let It Be Me, with the tight harmonies. For an encore they deliver an over the top funky take on Love In Then Thar' Hills. The blues tune, Shaky Flat Blues is another highlight.

This is a great primer on the Pointer's early years.

Ken

Shocked to hear of June's passing today. This live recording captures all four sisters early in their career mastering every genre of American music - funk, jazz, country, pop, blues, swing. Accompanied by a fantastic orchestra.

This is a great cd of the Pointer Sisters music. There are songs on here that make you want to sing along and tap your toes. They sing a little bit of everything, from pop,jazz, blues and one country song that won a Grammy. They were the first black female singers to perform at he Grand Ole Opry.
Love the music!!!!!