Customer Reviews

Rollerworld: Live at He Budokan

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

 

 

If you are a Bay City Roller fan, you've probably grown up listening to critics telling you that they weren't very good live. After all, who would know; with all the screaming going on, no one really could hear what they were playing.

Well here is the CD to prove all of the critics wrong. This live CD, recorded over 2 nights in Budokan, Japan in 1977, is amazing. The song selection couldn't be better, highlighting both the familiar hits, and the lesser known album tracks. And Les McKeown's vocals are fabulous, grittier than on LP and with greater depth. But the real revelation is Eric Faulkner's brilliant guitar work. The songs really come alive and, for the most part, sound much better than the studio versions.

I can't begin to explain the incredible feelings that were once again brought to life within minutes of turning on the stereo. The CD just seemed to come alive at the push of a button.
I wouldn't go so far as to say this live version is better than the ones taped and mixed in the studios, but Les does have an amazing voice, and this live version really lets the listener in on an exclusive treat. I usually prefer studio recorded soundtracks to the live versions of any band, just because the studio can work it's magic with all it's equipment. With this particular CD however, I am amazed with what the guys do all on their own. No fancy equipment needed here. And to think they did most of it without even hearing what they were playing. With the noise from the crowd, there is no way they could hear themselves. It's unfortunate that they didn't get the regognition they deserved from the music world. One listen to this CD tells the story. They were/are as talented as the Beatles and Stones. Obviously I will die a dedicated fan, but the CD truly is worth the money. (Speaking as a Canadian where our dollar is in the toilet and anything purchased from the U.S. costs an arm and a leg.) I have every album ever put out by the Rollers, so I really debated on buying another of "the same", at such crazy prices. I am really glad I finally broke down and did it, it is a fantastic CD, and proof that the guys had what it takes. I highly recommend it to everyone.

This live CD is the missing jewel in the long history of Roller music going back to the mid-seventies. Despite numerous studio albums and millions of sales, the band never widely released a live album. Finally, the original line-up of Les, Eric, Stuart, Alan and Derek recently got together with current record label BodyGuard Records and new management, Mark St. John, to dust off the archives and release Live at Budokan, 1977. And what a treat! As clearly demonstrated on this CD, despite what many critics said, the Bay City Rollers could sing, could play their own instruments, and could turn thousands of fans into weak-kneed hysterics. On Rollerworld, you hear the band free of the studio fine tuning and orchestrations that typified their studio albums. What you hear is four talented musicians (Alan Longmuir was on a management-imposed leave from the band at the time) barely into their 20's playing their hearts out to their fans in Japan. And their talent is clear. Eric Faulkner's guitar work and Les McKeown's vocals take center stage on much of the CD with Stuart Wood and Derek Longmuir, on bass and drums respectively, solidly rounding out the sound. The CD has been engineered without much post-concert reworking so you definitely have that "feels like you're there" experience. The CD also features a liner booklet with lots of photos, comments from the band members and an extensive write-up by St. John. Let's hope their next offering is not so long in coming. A must for Roller fans - new and old!

This is a surprisingly good live album. The quality of the playing is great, but the vocals tend to get too "las vegas lounge act" style. The liner notes are definitely worth the read (especially if you compare them with the liner notes from the definitive collection).

If you ever find yourself bemoaning the current pop music scene, you can use this disc as evidence. If the Rollers were the worst we had at the time, they were still better than all of the so-called boy "bands" now, and here, they're playing a man short.

Put 98 Degrees on a stage alone, and even assuming Nick isn't too busy feeding and changing his mentally challenged spouse, they still couldn't fill a room with music of this caliber. The tunes, vocal harmonies, and, yes, musicianship are all there in this live setting. Sure, N*Sync can dance, but is that any reason to buy a record?

This is one great CD by a highly under-rated band. Roller fans will not be disappointed. This CD represents what the BCR were all about. From Les' perfect vocals to Eric's amazing guitar-it was a wonderful trip back to a more innocent and fun time. I have never enjoyed "live" CD's-but this one is the exception. If you have never seen them perform live-this will more than make up for it!! Absolutely stunning!!!

This is a great live album, and puts to rest all of those who thought the bay city rollers are no good playing live.It is awesome listening to the Japanese fans singing along to don't let the music die.If you are able to get a copy it is well worth getting for your collection. The footnotes in the cd sleeve are very interesting as well.

This really lived up to other reviews I read. Once past the lengthy intro with thousands screaming (over a pre-recording of "Mars, The Bringer Of War"-- of all things!!) you have one terrific song after another, all with sound quality far surpassing what was the norm for a live album by 70's standards. I never got to see these guys live (other than twice on Howard Cosell's show) so this is a great addition to my long-standing BCR collection.

Most of the top songs are here, from rockers to ballads, although I'd have wished for a few more of their earlier tunes ("Summerlove Sensation", "Let's Go", "Rock 'N' Roller"), but what's here is terrific.

The liner notes are also a nice addition. Until the VH-1 BEHIND THE MUSIC episode, I'd never heard about the behind-the-scenes HORRORS the band's label & managment bestowed on them, although one might have imagined from the STRANGERS IN THE WIND album that things were seriously amiss. Judging by some of the tunes here (and the fact that they're a foursome), this must have coincided with the previous IT'S A GAME album, which, while slicker than previous discs, remained a mix of rocking and sappy songs. It took another 2 albums (ELEVATOR) before they regained their creative energies, but by then, the damage had been done and nobody was buying (except, presumably, diehard fans like me).

While my love for their music has never gone away, I seem to have had some renewed interest this year, and wound up getting the new reissues of their first 4 albums (all with bonus tracks), and now this. Along the way, I've been reminded of just how MUCH I like this stuff, I've found some new favorites to enjoy, and I've also realized that it's Les McKeown's vocals I was reminded of every time I'd hear Philly's KENN KWEDER rocking so hard!

I have been a BCR an since I was 12 and hearing this live CD was just awesome! I never dreamt I would get a chance to hear the band on a live recording! The guitars are screaming, Eric is an incredibly talented musician, Les' vocals are sexy and fun! This is a must have cd for any fan, and the more devoted the fan, the more they will love this experience!!! Thank you!!!