Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Echo & The Bunnymen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 10, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: NOBLE ROT
• ASIN: B002Q9MZL0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,428 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prime Era Concert, November 22, 2009

By 

directions "neuralbuddhist" (Space Time Foam) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Audio CD)

This recording thankfully does not make the mistake of many live albums (cut and paste songs from different concerts, overdubbing, an official concert of the band as now past their prime playing a "greatest hits" tour)but instead offers you a full version of Echo and the Bunnymen during their "Ocean Rain" tour. There are of course songs off that album such as the hit "The Killing Moon" but also from previous albums ("Crocodiles", "The Cutter"). The concert is presented in its entirety complete with impromptu segues into "Light My Fire" (note that after this an ep was released of a live tour with covers of influential classics including "People are Strange"). The "live feel" is present but since it was originally officially recorded (although it has circulated otherwise) the sound is close to pristine. My only complaint is that since the concert was videotaped is that there be an official dvd to go with it. Perhaps a future endeavor.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unusually powerful..., January 5, 2011

By 

Brian Kehew (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Audio CD)

This record captures something rarely heard on the studio albums, the power of the band. Especially in the improvised, repetitive parts - they truly cut loose and SLAM. Drummer Pete DeFreitas (RIP) was the secret weapon here, the bass and drums are especially strong. The vocals and guitar are as you'd expect with Ian wobbling off-pitch when he strains, but it actually makes it better, more intense. Have to say, even with the addition of strings (not a real orchestra, just a violin and cello or two) some songs don't compare to the studio versions; The Killing Moon never quite hits the mark - it's very fast. But almost everything on here I prefer to the album/single versions - not so much reverb and 1980s production. This sounds like sitting 6 rows in front of a stage, clean, loud, clear. Love it, I keep listening over and over again. This is the definitive Bunnymen, too bad it didn't come out at the time!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It sure took 'em long enough...., May 24, 2011

By 

over and under - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Audio CD)

Having just seen Echo and the Bunnymen perform their first two albums back to back in Los Angeles, I was compelled to search for any new releases the band might have out there. What I found, instead, was an incredible concert that should have been released years ago, one that would have nicely filled the void between their 4th and 5th albums.

Officially recorded at the Royal Albert Hall during their Ocean Rain tour, Echo and the Bunnymen turn in one of their best performances on this release. They are an amazing band to see live (and still are - I've been catching their shows since the mid eighties), and if I had to emphasize the efforts of just one musician in this recording, it would be Pete de Frietas, the Bunnymen's deceased drummer. Sometimes people forget how amazing Pete was, but a great deal of their sound was shaped by his talents. I can't emphasize enough how crucial his contributions were to the band.

It's a shame he died so young.

Anyway, this is a fabulous recording. Every piston is firing full speed and the band tears through each song with a beautiful vengeance. The recording quality is incredible, as well. The eighties were an awesome time for music.