Customer Reviews

Reo Speedwagon/R.E.O.T.W.O

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been an REO fan since 1969. I sat on the floor of The Red Lion dozens of times and watched and listened in amazement at the music that was being produced (does anyone remember the incredible version of Sympathy For The Devil that they played as an encore? Everyone was standing on top of every table/chair/bar to groove to the music).

These CDs in one word are EXCELLENT. The original REO album has poor sound qualities including poor bass and an overall thin and flat sound. The Re-Master is excellent and I can finally turn it up and the sound is full, clear, not distorted and has definition. The Re-Master of REO/TWO is also excellent. I have been hoping for years that someonoe would take on this project and I give a big Thank You to whoever invested in it.

That is because, in my opinion which will not be well received, these two albums and the Live album consist of all the REO music that ever needed to be recorded. If you ever heard them play live in the late 60's and early 70's you know what I mean. Their live energy and bonding with the audience in a small venue was unbelievable. As they got bigger and bigger, the music suffered. Their best music was written as a group by Luttrell/Richrath/Doughty/Philbin. I still prefer the songs they performed back then including Young Girl On The Mountainside, their 15 minute version of Lay Me Down with a 10 minute instrumental jam in the middle inclduing Luttrell on the flute, and Dead At Last where, after the organ solo at the end, Richrath would slide his guitar on the mike stand. Watching Richrath live was something I always looked forward to and I can say it is my fondest Rock N Roll memory. He was truly unbelievable.

This is a MUST PURCHASE for old REO fans as these CDs will bring back fond memories of live concerts in the old days. They are a STONGLY RECOMMENDED PURCHASE for new REO fans because they will give you an idea of how things started and what they sounded like back then. After all, without the Live album, their recording career might have come to a screaching halt. REO is all about live energy. These CDs are the best studio recordings that capture that live energy and sound. Now will someone please Re-Master the Live album with the same quality and put it on CD? The current version has so much treble and distortion I can't even listen to it.

Just call me the Ant Establishment Man!

Finally, a record company decided to issue Reo's first release on CD. Reo Speedwagon and REO TWO are some of the best music that this band has recorded and the digital remastering only enhances an already great sound. The liner notes are a good addition as well. May Gary Richrath live on. Get it while you can!!!

The first REO album has never been available on CD in the twenty plus years that I have been looking for it. This has very good sound, so dump that LP. The second album has been around; the point is to buy the first while it is available. Gary Richrath was a blazing fast guitarist on this album.

The first two albums we're superb, I am flabbergasted they didn't chart! I guess people didn't know anything about talent way back when either! Terry Luttrell did well on vocals I was surprised pleasantly. This album sure puts out a lot of good blues and showcases their progressive rock side as well! Not to mention some blue eyed soul on "Five men we're killed today." Then comes along Kevin in R.E.O T.W.O which was brilliant as expected. BOTH AWESOME SINGERS WITH GREAT MUSICIANS! Neal Doughty an underrated piano man whose struck a chord with me! Greg Philbin, awesome bassist who threw in a few solos along the way! Gary Ritchrath.... well his guitar playing says everything and it is SUPERB. So what are you doing still reading my review? This album should already be in your cart at checkout! There you go... My first review enjoy you'll be ridiculously glad you bought it. Promise.

I just received this dual CD from Amazon. I was very impressed right away with the packaging and liner notes of the CDs. The cover art all appears to be close, if not, identical to the original vinyl LPs I have. They kind of mixed/matched using both throughout the CD case. The liner notes were written in June 2007 and actually have a few tidbits of information I had not read over the last 30 years. They have some quotes from Terry L. and discuss some of the band's turmoil from a perspective other than Kevin C's. Obviously the sound quality is the essential question. I did not have either release on CD, only vinyl, so it is leaps and bounds above what I am used to. The first "album" has been near imposible to ever get on CD. So, this combination is a great package for the price.

Totally Awesome!!! I have been waiting for the debut album from REO for years. A few years ago I recorded my album onto a cassette, just so I could listen to it at work or in the car. It is an amazing album that totally rocks. If you are not familiar with the early albums from REO Speedwagon, check this out. You won't recognize it is REO, except for Gary Richrath's blazing guitar. Also on my list of favorites from REO is "Lost In A Dream". However, "Lost In A Dream" is no longer available. If you can find a copy, grab it. This album, along with R.E.O. Speedwagon, feature lead singers other than Kevin Cronin. You can't go wrong with the purchase of R.E.O. Speedwagon/R.E.O. T.W.O. For my taste, the R.E.O. T.W.O. album is the best from the Kevin Cronin files, before they got a little more mellow & trendy.

I have been an REO fan since 1971 and also saw them perform back in 1971, 1972 and 1975......and in my opinion.....this is a fantastic remastering job...I have all the original LP releases and the original CD releases to compare this to...

If you've listened to the remastering disasters done on bands like JOURNEY....Where the producer went crazy with compressor overkill...am glad I kept my original cd releases of those early JOURNEY cd's....that isn't the case here.....These are really sweet on the ears..and I must add that I also have the next "two for" in this series and once again...the producer really hit the high mark.

Here's how I heard it...Being a bass player myself and an ex HiFi salesman...I really appreciated how the bass is nice and strong...just like the LP's were....not muddy and you can hear the actual amplifier growl...which was so characteristic of Greg Philbins playing style....the mids are very strong and clear...the overall music is very well balanced...the highs all come thru without being harsh sounding, thus leading to listeners fatigue, like so many other remasters are guilty of. Considering these albums were recorded during 1971 and 72....I think the quality is exceptionally good considering the technology back then.

I also lke the packaging job and the liner notes...My only critique is I would have preferred they used the front and back covers of both albums and insert the liner notes for each album within those covers...but that's small change when you look at what you have.

I think that zekethefreak character needs to get a clue and just get his ears re-tuned..or maybe he just needs to invest in a better sound system..

Not that there is anything wrong with the REO SPeedwagon music from the 80's,it is good pop, it is just not my big cup of tea as it were.

Here in REO's first two LP's(now CD"s), is a much more rock and roll REO, similar to Early E Street Band and Early J. Guiles Band. Sophisticated Lady was my big favorite, but there are many other songs just as good. This is more good memories for me from my High School days, yes I was too young to go clubbing in High School but this education came from my older brother, and I took to it.

So here's the deal, if you like the old roadhouse rock from the early 70's you might really like this set. However, if you are from the MTV generation, you may just hate it.

REO TWO is my favorite REO album and I haven't been able to find the first album on CD until now! These are pretty much the original recordings without much doctoring up, but I am glad I bought it! It is GREAT to hear good ol' Rock 'n' Roll!! If you like older REO recordings this is an AWESOME package!! I would also highly recomend REO REO (the brown and white cow hide looking cover) as another FANTASTIC release.

When I ordered it I thought it would be a cheap 2 for 1 deal. I mainly ordered it to listen to the first album. When I got it I was very impressed with the quality of the package and the liner notes.

Your REO CD collection is not complete without this one.