Customer Reviews

Serious Hits Live

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1990, Phil Collins was at the apex of his career. His "...But Seriously" album was doing enormously well and in my eyes was the best album for that year. With Phil's career with Genesis, Genesis had a history of doing live albums. As for Phil's solo career - which was now firmly established, it was time for Phil to release a live album. Thus the "But Seriously" Tour was captured on both CD and Video at a performance in Berlin. If you have seen the video for the concert, this is a top notch performance in which Phil and his band pour an enormous amount of energy for over 2 1/2 hours during the show. In other words it was really something special. With the CD, it does miss the mark a bit. The content that is on the CD is still very good - and will be an enjoyable live album. However, this CD had the potential to be so much more and it's too bad it fails to do so.

Recently the Progressive Rock Band Rush released their "Rush in Rio" concert on CD and DVD. They had intended to only release it on DVD, but they realized they had something 'special' - so they decided to release the audio portion on CD. The concert was unspoiled on CD and the result is very appealing. With the "Seriously Live" video that Phil Collins did, I think it's safe to say that this is something 'special'. However when the "Serious Hits... Live!" CD was made, the audio portion was changed somewhat. For starters only 15 of the 24 songs are included on the CD. The "Serious Hits...Live!" CD goes the 'safe' route and really only focuses on Phil's hit songs leaving out great live performances of songs like "Colours", "Hand in Hand", "Inside Out", and "Doesn't Anybody Stay Together Anymore". In addition, the songs are were partially re-ordered compared to how they were done in Berlin. This is somewhat disappointing because for Berlin, I think Phil really nailed down the order of the setlist perfectly. There is no sense of a "live concert" - no opening song ("Hand in Hand" the opener is not on the CD) and we're not told that "Sussudio" is the song that wraps up the main set before the encore. Finally, this is really a subset of some of the Berlin concert. What is missing is Phil's communication with the audience (there are some real good moments as he 'reads' German to the crowd). Also missing is when Phil introduces the band - it's a complete riot. It's possible that Phil did this to not have the CD and Video in sales competition with each other, but it would have been nice this concert in its entirety released on a double CD.

Despite some of the shortcomings, "Serious Hits...Live!" still has some very good live numbers on this CD. One thing that is good is we get live versions of some of the duets that Phil Collins has done. The reason that Phil is able to pull off these duets is because he surrounded himself with a top notch set of performers - and in particular for the duets a great set of vocalists. "Separate Lives" is a nice duet that Phil Collins did with a singer named Marilyn Martin for the motion picture "White Nights". Phil manages to keep the chemistry solid by doing this duet with his female background vocalist - Bridgette Bryant. In fact I think Bryant does a better version than Martin. Phil's legendary duet "Easy Lover" that he did with Earth, Wind, and Fire's Phillip Bailey is covered. This is actually done as a trio with his male vocalists Arnold McCuller and Fred White. The trio's version works beautifully and the result is an exciting new spin on the song.

There are several songs included on this CD that really rise to the next level when done live. I always thought "In the Air Tonight" was an overrated song (i.e. a good song, but not a great song). The live version on this collection is awesome. When you hear Phil crash on the drums just over 4 minutes into the song, you will understand why. "Who Said I Would" is a very entertaining song when watched on the video, the audio portion does not disappoint either. This is one of those songs that truly is better done live. Another interesting spin on a classic song is "Sussudio". This was a song that was a very good song, but probably was one of the most overplayed songs of the 1980s. Phil changes up the intro and finale to the song a bit and the result is terrific. I always thought of "Sussudio" as more of an opening song, but the version that was done live makes it a perfect song for wrapping up the main set (which Phil did on this Tour). Live versions of "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven", "Against All Odds", "One More Night", and "Two Hearts" do not disappoint. Of course, the traditional wrap-up song "Take Me Home" is included - and in its mantra-like fashion, it is the perfect close to the concert (they do include this as the last track on the CD). In fact, there really isn't a bad version of any of the 15 tracks included on this CD.

So to sum up, the quality of what is included does exist on this CD. Pay close attention to the music - Phil's musicians on horns and vocals really shine with Daryl Stuermer's guitar, Leland Sklar's Bass, and Chester Thompson's drums. Take the title of this CD literally - Serious Hits...Live" will mean "hits" from the "..But Seriously" tour. I would get this CD, but also advise getting the video version of the concert to get a true sense of the energy that this performance delivers.

In 1990, Phil Collins had been on THE ...BUT SERIOUSLY TOUR, where during that concert tour, Phil Collins had released his first live album entitled, SERIOUS HITS...LIVE! This album, although being Phil's first live album, is his sixth album overall. Phil always had a way with singing in the studio, but singing live is definitely gift for good ole Phil because this album is outstanding.

SOMETHING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO HEAVEN
Studio version from the album ...BUT SERIOUSLY (1989). The album version was just outstanding and it goes right next to this live version. Awesome.

AGAINST ALL ODDS (TAKE A LOOK AT ME NOW)
Studio version from the original motion picture & motion picture soundtrack AGAINST ALL ODDS (1984). For years, I had gone on without even listening to this song, but years later, I gave the song another shot and I cannot get enough of it.

WHO SAID I WOULD
Studio version from the album NO JACKET REQUIRED (1985). Just as energetic and fun-filled as the album version.

ONE MORE NIGHT
Studio version from the album NO JACKET REQUIRED (1985). Better than the original.

DON'T LOSE MY NUMBER
Studio version from the album NO JACKET REQUIRED (1985). Both the studio version and this here live version are outstanding.

DO YOU REMEMBER?
Studio version from the album ...BUT SERIOUSLY (1989). Even better than the studio version.

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE
Studio version from the album ...BUT SERIOUSLY (1989). Both versions are just amazing.

SEPARATE LIVES (Duet with Bridgette Bryant)
Studio version from the original motion picture & motion picture WHITE NIGHTS (1985). The studio version to this song was actually a duet between Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin, but it is obvious that Marilyn Martin is not present on her vocals, but Phil's backing vocalist Bridgette Bryant. Bridgette Bryant's voice is very pretty, but Marilyn Martin's voice was even prettier. But this live version stands right next to the original studio version.

IN THE AIR TONIGHT
Studio version from the album FACE VALUE (1981). Great song, even performed live.

YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE
Studio version from the album HELLO, I MUST BE GOING! (1982). Not bad.

TWO HEARTS
Studio version from the original motion picture & motion picture soundtrack BUSTER (1988). Great song.

SUSSUDIO
Studio version from the album NO JACKET REQUIRED (1985). Great song.

A GROOVY KIND OF LOVE
Studio version from the original motion picture & motion picture soundtrack BUSTER (1988). Awesome ballad.

EASY LOVER (With Arnold McCuller & Fred White)
Studio version from Phillip Bailey's album CHINESE WALL (1984). As you all know, "Easy Lover" was a duet between Phillip Bailey (of EARTH WIND & FIRE) & Phil Collins. Providing the vocals for Phillip Bailey's verses are two of Phil Collins' male backing vocalists, Arnold McCuller & Fred White. Not bad.

TAKE ME HOME
Studio version from the album NO JACKET REQUIRED (1985). Awesome tune.

Phil Collins is just a genius Icon. His incredible voice and great songs inspire his millions of fans around the world. He continues to inspire with this here incredible live album that all Phil Collins fans should have. Make sure to buy your copy of SERIOUS HITS...LIVE! today.

"Serious Hits Live" documents Phil Collins' tour for his 1989 album, "But Seriously." As promised, this live album has Phil performing his biggest hits, including "You Can't Hurry Love," "Sussudio," "One More Night," "Easy Lover," and "Take Me Home." Phil proves for all to hear what a dynamic performer he & his band are live in concert. His earth-shattering performance of "In The Air Tonight" alone makes this CD worth getting, but overall this is a fabulous live set. It's Phil's show all the way, and you're invited! Enjoy.

I'm not a huge Phil Collins fan; some of his songs on here ("A Groovy Kind of Love" and "Can't Hurry Love") are enough to make me puke, but there is some good stuff to be found. In particular, "Another Day In Paradise" and "In the Air Tonight" are great, great songs. To find them both on the same CD is a big plus. Unfortunately, since this was a concert, the audience's clapping and cheering through so much of many of the songs ruins the mood and the emotion they would otherwise induce. But if you don't mind live performances, go for it.

I really don't feel the need to type on and on about this CD, but I will say that it is my favorite live album of all time by any artist. I have listened to the live version of In the Air Tonight on this CD over five hundred times, and I never get tired of that drum solo at the end. That song along makes this cd worth purchasing...

Serious Hits Live is one great live CD. The sound quality is incredible. Actually, the only negative thing I can really say about it is that sometimes it just sounds TOO clean. But that does not take away from the overall quality. I don't understand why anyone would even bother with Phil's HITS cd when they could have this! 1) Unlike HITS, "Do you Remember" and "Don't Lose my number" are both here! And they sound great! 2) Serious Hits Live has ALL the same songs as HITS except "Dance into the Light," "Both Sides," "True Colors" (no big loss so far) and "I Wish it Would Rain Down." 3) Every song that appears on both HITS and Serious Hits Live sounds twice as good on the latter!

The only sound argument, in my opinion, for buying HITS instead of Serious Hits Live is that "I Wish it Would Rain Down" is only on HITS. And that is truly one of his best songs, perhaps my overall favorite Phil song. But all other arguments are [junk]. Every song sounds great here. "In the Air Tonight" is truly breathtaking, gives me chills every time I hear it. Songs like "One More Night," "Don't Lose My Number," "Sussudio," and especially "Separate Lives" are seriously 5 times better than the respective originals (seriously...get it?).

Just as a side-bar, Phils vocals sound much better here than on any live Genesis album (and I have them all). I think it's because his solo stuff has always meant more to him personally than the stuff Genesis did. Sometimes on Genesis live albums, for no apparent reason Phil will start singing with some weird Turkish-like accent which is really annoying (Genesis fans know what I'm talking about...and I don't just mean on "Illegal Alien").

I am not a big fan of live albums. Not sure why but I found this copy at a yard sale and I love listening to it. The best songs are: feel it in the air tonight, You can't hurry love, Two hearts ( a song that brings me fond memories of roadtripping down to Chicago) and Sussiudo. If you like Phil Collins, you must get this one.

In order not to rate two similar products, I will review both of them in these few lines.

The CD is a good compilation of the best of Phil Collins. It contains the real hits of his first recordings (In the Air Tonight, Sussudio, Another Day in Paradise,...) plus some of his contributions to the film music (Against All Odds, Easy Lover,...). In fact it is too similar to the further compilation "Hits".

In order to get the real "live" punch it is strongly recommended to buy to video/DVD. The extra tracks are: Hand in Hand, Hang in Long Enough, Inside Out, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, The West Side, That's Just the Way It Is, Doesn't Anybody Stay Together Anymore?, Colours, and, Always. Colours and The West Side also include two tremendous drum duets with Chester Thompson, exactly in the same way they did in Genesis "Seconds Out" and their live performances. Hand in Hand is also a good starting tune for each of Phil's concerts.

But the fifth star is well deserved for a nearly 3-hour (!) concert. Amazing and powerful. Collins sings, plays the piano and shows that he has been one of the best drum players in the world, remembering his beginning in Genesis. The more than ten players band gives 110 %: "The Stars of Faith" wind quartet, the vocal support trio, Leland Sklar, Darryl Stuermer and Chester Thompson are of the most confidence to him and their performance is marvellous.

If you want to get the best of Phil, it's more or less to get this or "Hits", but if you really want one of "the best live concerts ever", go for the DVD. Phil Collins has never been so superb!

As good as Phil Collins' solo albums can be, they often contain no small amount of "filler", and the slick, glossy production on records like "Face Value" and "No Jacket Required" makes them seem somewhat dated.

But this live album remedies some of that. Although no-one can accuse Phil Collins' horn-laden pop music of being 'gritty', it nevertheless sounds a little more genuine and less over-produced, and the track list is very strong, including almost all of Collins' best songs from the 80s:
The spooky "In The Air Tonight" is here, as is "Take Me Home", "Separate Lives", "A Groovy Kind Of Love" and several others.

There is still too much synth on tracks like "Against All Odds" (an otherwise superb ballad) and "One More Night", but that's what Collins' music is like, and "Serious Hits...Live" remains a good, solid collection of adult pop songs.

Phil Collins is so underrated as a live performer it's not even funny. He is one of the best out there. Unlike most great live performer, he lets his songs pretty much stay the same as the studio versions instead of turning them into epic stadium rockers (which can sometimes be a good thing). "Serious Hits... Live" proves my point perfecty...

almost. The tepid performance of "Something Happened On The Way To Heaven" (this is my favorite song of all time by Collins or anyone, and I was hoping for a better version). But things quickly pick up with a bonechilling performance of "Against All Odds". This is followed by the rocking "Who Said I Would", the only song here that wasn't a hit single. I honestly never heard it before, but I think it's a great song and will seek out the studio version. Things slow down a bit for a powerful rendition of "One More Night". Next comes "Don't Lose My Number". I have to admit that at first I didn't care for this song, then I heard the live version. Well this version knocked my socks off. I now have a newfound respect for this song. This is followed by a soulful rendition of "Do You Remember". Next comes the album's first true highlight. "Another Day In Paradise" is done so well here, so powerful, so striking. Phil should be proud of this performance. Next comes a nice version of "Separate Lives", though the absence of Marilyn Martin is notable - and so sorely missed. Next comes another real highlight. "In The Air Tonight" takes on a whole new life here, now more than just "that 1980s' song with the drum solo". This version is so eerie, so stark, it's almost satanic. Next comes what is practically a medley of "You Can't Hurry Love" and "Two Hearts". I love these songs so much and the way they just segue into each other without a pause is just brilliant. But next is the real keeper. "Sussudio" is a hell of a lot better than the album version. "Groovy Kind Of Love" is another powerful ballad. "Easy Lover" is also good, but as with Marilyn Martin on "Separate Lives", Phillip Bailey's absence is all to noticable and sorely missed. A stunning 8 - minute version of "Take Me Home" closes the album.

Overall, an excellent live album that is one of the best ever made. I hope that Phil releases another one from his current farewell our. That would be a great way to go out.