Customer Reviews

Rick Springfield - Greatest Hits...Alive

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I've been fortunate enough to listen to a limited edition version of this CD for a few months now. All I can say is WOW! Rick Springfield rocks Alive. Anyone who has seen Rick live knows the energy, enthusiasm, and powerful rock he puts into every show. This man gives 150% every night and that shines through on this CD. It's appropriate that the first number is "Affair of the Heart". It is an affair of the heart both in what Rick gives his fans and how they receive it and feed back on into his energy. "Living in Oz" has never sounded better. Rock of Life is a plain fun with the audience participation on the chorus. The Medley alone is worth the CD price (listen for the sirens at the start of Calling all girls in that one). The studio performance of "April 24/ My Father's Chair", a tribute to his father, is hauntingly beautiful. The vocals overall are strong, and the band's sound is tight. If you haven't heard Jessie's Girl live, you haven't heard Jessie's Girl. The editting is also wonderful, in that you don't hear that annoying pause between songs. They just blend from one song to the next so you really feel like you're at a live performance. The CD cover artwork is also incredible, capturing the intensity of Rick live. In short, from the musical content and arrangement, to the presentation this is the best Live album I've ever seen. It's a must have not only for All Rick Springfield fans, but all fans of good guitar driven rock music.

If you are a Rick Springfield fan, either moderately or fanatically, you absolutely must get this CD. What a performer! Each song seems to have a brand new feel to it, more hard driving guitar playing with an edge. You can hear the craziness from the fans during each song as they sing along with him. A couple of my all time favorites, "Rock of Life" and "State of the Heart" are on the CD and Rick has made these new versions blow away the studio versions of these singles! In fact, you can make that statement for most of the songs on here, and those songs were great before. If I were to make another highlight, it would have to be "I've Done Everything for You" and "Love is Alright Tonight". One very minor complaint,"Souls", a Springfield concert classic isn't on here, but there are 20+ songs that more than make up the difference. One would be hard pressed to show me a better live CD than this one and I have a bunch of them, this is the one to get! Enjoy.

Ok...admit it. You were a Rick Springfield fanatic when you were a teenager way back in the 80's. You were either a diehard fan (like me) who had a shrine to Rick, with posters on your walls, General Hospital notebooks, a variety of Rick t-shirts that you wore to school every day (despite the disdainful looks your mom gave you), and a Panasonic cassette player that played nothing but Working Class Dog, Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet and Living in Oz. Or maybe you were a closet fan who was much too cool to admit that you had a Rick tape in your glove compartment and only played it when you were cruising alone. You rocked to the driving beat of "Calling All Girls," but only with the windows up and preferably in a town other than where you lived. You wore Van Halen t-shirts and dark sunglasses. Well, it's time for ALL of Rick's fans to unite and grab THE GREATEST HITS: ALIVE. Close your eyes as "Affair of the Heart" kicks into overdrive...you'll be transported back to 1983, when you hopefully saw Rick for the first time, perched atop a huge prop, as the lights went down and the stage began to smoke. Silhouetted at first, the spotlight came up and Rick strutted down the pyramid-like set, guitar in hand, and I was never the same. He captured the audience, held us in his hands, shook us up and gave us a performance that would last a lifetime in our minds. Rick returned to the stage in 1998, with the same energy and boyish charm that enamored us in the beginning. I happen to think he's even better now than ever; we've all grown up, it seems. You can hear it in the music - he's more comfortable with himself, and his passion for what he does just shines through when he's on the stage. Rick's dedication to his fans is just phenomenal. From the pounding "I've Done Everything for You" (thanks, Sammy Hagar) to the sinful "Alyson," to the gut-wrenching "My Father's Chair," you will love this CD from start to finish. As an avid concert-goer and card-carrying Rick Springfield Fan Club Member, this CD is among my most prized possessions. I am 35 years old, but this music takes me back to the innocence and thrill of being 16 again. Do yourself a favor and buy this CD today. You'll keep it in your car player and you won't have to hide the box in the glove compartment. And roll the windows down this time; you've earned it. We're all grownups now, and we can all admit, freely, that RICK SPRINGFIELD ROCKS. Enjoy!!!

After a hiatus from the music world, Rick Springfield has been back and better than ever for the past couple of years. Touring extensively, his high energy performances have attracted a loyal following of fans.

This album was recorded at several shows around the US during May of 2000. It captures the energetic live Rick Springfield experience wonderfully! I have been a Rick fan for over 20 years, and have been to numerous shows...this album brings back vivid memories of them. I get chills when I hear the opening chords of "Affair of the Heart", picturing Rick running on stage and smashing bouquets of roses on his guitar strings. I can also see him wading through the crowd during "Human Touch", attempting to get people to sing "Don't Talk to Strangers" on a cell phone (just like the AT&T commercial), and inviting fans onstage for "I Get Excited".

Fans from the '80s will recognize most of the songs. There are also 2 tracks from the 1999 "Karma" album ("Free" and "It's Always Something". The first single off of the album is an energetic rendering of "GLORIA", which Rick often performs live. The album also features an emotional rendering of "April 24, 1981" and "My Father's Chair", which both deal with the death of Rick's father.

In summary, this album is a must for all Rick Springfield fans...old, faithful, and new!

I've been listing to this CD for months now and it only gets better with time, you never get tired of hearing it. There is alot more energy in the songs live then their studio versions and you get all the Big Hits on here with a very touching remake of "April 24th 1981 and my father's chair"< ( worth the price of the CD right there!). I can't wait to go out and get the street version of this CD! that's how GREAT this CD is you have to grab all the versions you can of it.So if you have been to any of the Rick Springfield concerts (past or present) or just a fan of his music don't EVEN think about getting around to buying this CD...JUST DO IT!! YOU'LL LOVE EVERY SECOND OF THIS CD!!

Was never a BIG fan of Rick..I was too bleeping cool! What a DOPE I was. My brother turned me onto him in mid-80's..made me closet fan. Well I am 46 and the hell with it! Rick Springfield rocks with the best of em! Always check out live stuff...figure if you can't play live you can't play. Trust me...Rick can play! Beautifully recorded, dare you not to get chicken skin when Affair Of The Heart kicks into overdrive [1st cut]. Non-stop greatness from start to finish. Don't forget..Rick was serious musician long before becoming "Hollywood Pretty Boy"! Listen to Rick go back to his roots..you WILL NOT be disapointed!

This CD is recorded live at various shows in America throughout the month of May 2000, 18 fast moving tracks - tracing this often dismissed teen idol. But listen to him, and see if you don't agree these songs bring back some wonderful times in your life.

Born in Sydney, Australia - on August 23, 1949 - as Richard Springthorpe, went on to record some of the biggest rock hits the world has ever known. Influenced by "The Beatles" and "Todd Rundgren", was signed to appear on "General Hospital" (1981), as the young Dr. Noah Drake - but his music was calling him.

Powered by "JESSIE'S GIRL", "I'VE DONE EVERYTHING FOR YOU", "DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS", "AFFAIR OF THE HEART" and "LOVE SOMEBODY" - all reached the smash-top-ten hits, with power to spare, his concerts are always sell-outs.

Hip-O Records, Springfield & Drescher release this one-of-a-kind CD, capturing the live reaction of the audience - non-stop excitement with every song..."Springfield Fans" this is a keeper, don't pass this up!

Total Time: 72:42 on 18 Tracks...Hip-O Records 440 013 239 2...(2001)

Naturally, the Rick Springfield fan will want "Alive - The Greatest Hits", Springfield's first live album. All the hits are here: "Jessie's Girl", "Affair of the Heart", "I've Done Everything For You", etc. This album truly captures (and even improves upon) the excitement and energy of the Rick Springfield concert experience.

But this album is more than that. This is the album that might just banish the "pretty boy" image and win Rick Springfield the (much deserved) respect that has somehow eluded this outstanding musician throughout his entire 30-year career.

Springfield includes two songs from his 1999 album "Karma": "Itsalwayssomething" and a chill-inducing version of "Free". These, along with other lesser-recognized songs such as "Rock of Life" and "Living In Oz" will show the rest of the world what Springfield fans already know: Rick Springfield's skills as a songwriter, lyricist, and musician are second to none.

I knew almost nothing about Rick Spingfield music until January 2005. All I knew was "Jessie's Girl" (from some compilation of mine) and I have the vinyl album "ROCK OF LIFE". Also, in my country his back catalogue was never reissued on CD, so it's very expensive to buy imports.

SO, I decided to gamble and buy this ALIVE album, without any expectations, just to know the guy's music a little bit more, know what the fuss is all about... I was not dissapointed at all! This is a very energetic rockin' band, Rick sings better that a lot of young rocksingers half his age. There are good solos, the songs have amazing hooks (without sounding corny or cheesy), the band is tight.

I also appreciated the honesty of the guy, because, in the notes, he admits that some overdubs were made in the studio, and even whole songs were recorded "live" in the studio.

Back in 2000, I saw Rick in concert for the first time. Based on that performance, I made sure to purchase the Greatest Hits Alive as soon as it came out. In fact, I purchased one of the limited edition sets, numbered and with his autograph on it before they were released to the public. All I can say is...Rick Rocks live! And this CD shows that. All the old favorites are here, but turned up just a notch, Rick style. Rick has such amazing energy and puts his all into his music and live shows. This is definately a must have for true Rick fans.