Customer Reviews

Live at the Whisky a Go-Go

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

 

 

One of the best live rock albums. Having the fortune of seeing X a decade after-the-fact (sometime in 2000 at the Axis in Boston), I can say that they rocked just as hard as this album. Billy Zoom with his splay-legged stance and ... grin. DJ Bonebrake crashing the heads. Exene and John Doe belting out the punkabilly pop gems. The only complaint is that the original cassette release contained one of the finest live cuts that is NOT included (Someone tell me why) on the CD - True Love. But that is hardly enough to keep me from recommending this to anyone.

This is a virtual "best-of" album and the best surprise is the quality of the live recording is equal to any studio album X put out. You would not know the album was live except for the audience clapping and the exchange between the band. No weak songs were put on this album. One reviewer below lambasted X for putting Skin Deep Town on the album. It is the weakest point on the album, as it features the band criticizing shallow youth engaging in brain-dead orgies in Ft. Lauderdale on Spring Break. Honestly, though, X were always political and critical of intellectualy lazy people. The song is no surprise, but it doesn't rock well like the other 20 songs. The album is exceptional and the playing of the band is at the top of their form. Punk, Rock, and Western all mixed together to make a delicious stew. Buy this and feel you were at the venue in the flesh.

Take this one....Please! If you like rock and roll, punk, alt... any or all of these etc....this is the one I'd take out of my whole collection. If you want the concert experience while sorting laundry, mopping the floor, or breaking up with your lover-BUY THIS ONE!~Thanks to all the members of X for being the greatest!

What is the word I'm looking for?....Relentless. The fury of an X concert is captured for posterity. One of the best live bands play their hearts out on this Album (sic CD). This is a must for anyone- compares to the excitement I felt when I heard the first side of the "Name of this Band is the Talking Heads"... album. Catch 'em live while you still can.

'Live At...' was recorded while the band was out on tour in 1988,with additional guitarist Tony Gilkyson.So,now X was a five piece.No complaint here.Total of 21 songs performed in 72 minutes of up-beat all American home grown old-school punk.Very good choice.Recently,I got to see all four original members reunite for a decent length tour.Which was:Exene Cervenka-vocals,D.J.Bonebrake-drums,John Doe-bass and Billy Zoom-guitar.These 'new wave' era punksters STILL put on a great live performance.They did many of the tracks on this live CD,like "Los Angeles","Burning House Of Love","My Goodness","Devil Doll","Hungry Wolf","Riding With Mary"(my favorite X song),"White Girl" and "Johnny Hit".A nice find.

Bought it on a whim during my thrash metal days of the 80's...blew me away.\
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During a nostalgic trolling through my olde cassette collection (I was Napster BEFORE it was cool) I listened for the first time in 20 years. Yes, it has aged better than 90% of thrash, or any other genre.
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I have money now, and proudly purchase this as penance.
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I can only hope John Doe and Ms. Exene Cervenka enjoy my few honest cents o' repentance on a cold beer, or even fabric softener or female hygiene products. Thank you, guys.
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It has aged better than oh, say, Sigue Sigue Sputnik.

This is one of the best live albums ever! My love for X's music started with this release. 'Live At The Whisky A Go-Go..' is proof positive that X is one of the best American bands ever, and that Elektra Records didn't give the band the "proper" exposure it deserved. However, I'm still disappointed to see with this re-issue that Rhino didn't rectify what Elektra had done with the original CD release, which was omitting the tracks "Just Another Perfect Day" and "True Love" to facilitate it being on one disc. At the time of its original release, 'Live At The Whisky A Go-Go..' was also available on double LP (vinyl) and double length cassette. On "True Love", it's great hearing Exene tell the audience that they're making a record of the show and the skepticism she expresses about its release. To hear it in its proper context, I recommend searching for the vinyl version if you still own a turntable. Seeing how vinyl is making a comeback, maybe Rhino will re-issue it on 180-Gram vinyl as well.

What hasn't been said here already? Just giving my 2 cents of praise for this monster rockabilly explosion! Hardcore from start to finish. John Doe's and Exene's vocals are a match made in heaven and hell all at once.

Even if you don't like live albums (like myself) this is one live record you should not pass up. As other reviewers have mentioned it plays like a greatest hits plus it includes two previously unreleased gems, "Skin Deep Town, "So Long" and a super rocking version of the Knitters "Call of the Wreckin' Ball". "Around My Heart" sounds so much better live I honestly experienced it all over again almost as a brand new song. In addition the recording quality is incredible. The power, the energy, and the talent of X comes across beautifully (yes even w/o Zoom). This record Rocks!

Without a doubt, my favorite album(CD) of all time. If you don't own it, you really should. If you do own it, maybe it's time to give it another listen. If forced to give up all the music I own save one CD, I'd pick this one without hesitating.