Customer Reviews

Saturday Night Live: 25 Years Of Musical Performances, Vol. 1

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

There are so many great performances not included on Volumes 1 and 2 that I don't even know where to begin but here's a short list just off the top of my head: Jackson Browne (1977, Running on Empty, The Pretender); The Band (playing a three song set!); Nirvana (killer version of Smells Like Teen Spirit); Suzanne Vega (Luka); 10,000 Maniacs (first appearance in 1987); Neil Young (Rocking In The Free World); Pearl Jam (Alive); Keith Richards (1987 solo album). I could go on for an hour...

I agree with another reviewer that these performances should also be put out on DVD. However here's another idea: put EVERY SNL musical performance out on one of the new online music services like iTunes and let the fans buy the performances they want! I'd pay to construct my perfect SNL musical guests CD. Think about it.

I think the phrase that best describes this CD is "waste of time and space"! Like countless others I became a fan of this cutting edge program in its heyday, not just for the satire and comedy but also for the great music it showcased. Around the same time that "SNL" started up, the BBC were also offering a program called the "Old Grey Whistle Test" which also showcased the leading musicians of the time. The Beeb eventually issued a fabulous DVD retrospective of that program (which is non coded and viewable anywhere) loaded with great performances-well worth hunting down. What does SNL do? Zip,nada,zilch, strikeout...pick your own term. I would think that they should easily be able to cull together a marvellous collection of as widespread a variety of musical styles as ever existed. Better yet, they could present this in DVD format so we could enjoy sets like Joe Cocker/John Belushi, Paul Simon & Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Van Morrison, Aaron Neville & Linda Rondstadt, The Clash, Leon Redbone, Santana, Beck, etc etc,. There doesnt appear to be any reason why they cant do this.......instead we are offered this dross. Shame on SNL!

SNL Volumes 1 and 2 are terribly incomplete. In many cases, I was disappointed. All right, this CD includes Elvis Costello's infamous "Radio Radio." Lenny Kravitz's and Anne Lennox's selections are really good. But, for the most part, this CD and its follow on contain Ho Hum material from some really good artists.

Face it, the folks who put these two CDs out (Volumes 1 and 2) should have included the performances of The Rolling Stones, George Harrison and Paul Simon ("Here Comes the Sun" and "Homeward Bound"), Patti Smith ("Gloria"), Frank Zappa, and other acts that left a lasting impression on Saturday Night Live.

The selection of material could have been a lot better, and a lot more entertaining. Maybe Volume 3 (if it is ever released) will correct the mostly lackluster performances of the previous two volumes. Come on. . . Give us a little more for our money!

Aimed for the baby boomer segment of SNL's audience such as myself (Volume 2 is aimed more toward Gen Xers), this may allow listeners to hear some of their favorite artists on the car CD player without having a multidisc changer, but that's about all it's got going for it. Ranging from the pleasant (Paul Simon's "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes," with a terrific arrangement and vocal backup) to the awful (who decided Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" would do anything but put us to sleep?), most of these live versions stick closely to the original arrangements, but sound cheesier because of the inherent limitations of setting up the band on stage (Randy Newman's "I Love L.A."). Sting, Annie Lennox, Tom Petty, David Bowie, Billy Joel -- it's like a reunion of rich classic rock stars.

The one exception is Elvis Costello's driving "Radio, Radio," which, of course, had the fake-out open (the first 15 seconds from "Less Than Zero," before he abruptly switched gears, making him part of SNL legend). Note to Lorne Michaels: that ain't "Alison" he was playing, contrary to your recollection in the liner notes.

Speaking of which, considering these performances from a TV show, what dork in Dreamworks' design department decided not to use a single image from the shows in question for the CD booklet? No wonder this puppy headed straight for the cutout rack.

This is such a waste. Back in the day, before cable and DVD and the Internet - you'd stay up late to catch the latest hip rockers on SNL - at that time, the ONLY place to see those up and coming bands play live - so what do we get here on this supposed "Best of" CD? The SAFEST, SOFTEST, LAMEST choices imaginable! Save for BOWIE's amazing take on SCARY MONSTERS, this sucks big time - and even Bowie is robbed of the stunning VISUAL performance he gave - who can forget him and the late great KLAUS NOMI in their mannequin-like cases singing immobile? Also, where is DEVO circa JOCKO HOMO?! Where are the B-52's doing their seminal ROCK LOBSTER? THE CLASH doing Straight to Hell?! etc. I could go on and on...They should have divided it up by GENRE - one for punk/new wave, one for old fogies, one for rap/soul, etc. Instead, this CD serves no one. A real missed opportunity! Where is the DVD of all the LIVE performances? SNL (Broadway Video) OWNS these clips, so there is NO reason except...GREED?!

Ok if you are young and hip then you will like this album. There are some good tracks on it. The title is a misnomer as this album (and likewise vol.2) ignores most of the early years of the show. You can check the dates of the musical performances for yourself. After watching the SNL25 show I know that there are some legendary performers and performances that could have been included. I can only hope that the producers will come out with a Vol.3 and 4 that will rectify this omission.

As a devoted fan of SNL Since it's debut, I've enjoyed the musical guests as much as the comedy. For years I've hoped that the producers would release a collection of the best musical performances. I can't believe how many obvious choices are missing from this two volume set. While I appreciate several selections, such as Alanis Morrisette's "Hand In My Pocket" and Annie Lenox's "Why", I'm simply blown away by what's missing. Paul Simon and George Harrison's duets of "Home" and "Here Comes The Sun" were landmark performances, both musically and historically. Incredible stuff. Although Sting's "If I Ever Lose My Faith" was good, his band's performance of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Little Wing" was so great that even Sting was blown away. Elvis Costello's "Veronica" was so energy-charged that the band took off in an impromptu reprise while Elvis kept bashing away on his guitar, broken string and all - it was a gas! Tom Petty has been on the show several times - couldn't they have picked a better song?

And the music industry wonders why everyone is using Napster!

I borrowed this CD from our local public library. They can have it back soon. Good selection of artists giving TV performances of material that you can get in mainly superior studio (or other live) versions. I never was a huge fan of the "musical guest" segment of SNL, a show I tuned out of quite a few years ago, anyway.

Even at 39 cents + shipping for a used copy, this CD is no bargain. Paul Simon/Ladysmith lead off the disc nicely, followed by five unremarkable tracks, including a tried-sound Clapton wheezing out "Wonderful Tonight," until Jewel sparkles on "Who Will Save Your Soul."

Glad I just borrowed the thing and didn't buy it to add to my already shelf-busting collection.

The real talent from SNL (cast and guest stars) is NOT included in this CD - or in Vol. 2. Where was the Blues Brothers singing "Soul Man" or Queen singing "That Thing Called Love"? How about Lyle Lovett or Eurythmics? I wish I had my money back.

I got the SNL Volume 1 CD today, and i personally thought it was pretty good. Although there are a lot of songs that should have made the CD and didn't, what was there was nice to hear. It only cost $4.99, so i thing i got my moneys worth.