Customer Reviews

On Stage

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The chemistry achieved by this duo was never matched by their respective solo ventures. "On Stage" is their classic live album. It features great versions of the standards, such as "Danny's Song" and "House at Pooh Corner." In my opinion, though, the high water mark of this performance is the jam version of "Angry Eyes"--a tune that is usually overlooked when people bother to remember Loggins and Messina. "Golden Ribbons," something of a war protest song, also displays the song-writing sophistication of Jim Messina, in particular.

The instrumentation here at times bears similarities to the work of the Dave Matthews Band, with its blend of saxophone and fiddle alongside the duo's competent guitar work. Loggins and Messina is a favorite band of my era, but I see that they make the short list (somewhere behind the Allman Brothers Band and their wider genre of jazz/blues) of great musicians for my kids, who are in their twenties, are serious musicians and are, perhaps, even a bit snobby about their music.

I bought this recording on vinyl when it came out twenty-five years ago. I wore it out over twenty years ago. I have been searching and searching for the last 5 years for it since I was especially fond of the track Vahevela. I thought this recording was awesome in the 70's and nothing has changed my mind now (even the fact that I am 50). TOTALLY AWESOME DUO AND ALBUM

On Stage is a fun souvenir of the genial pop duo Loggins and Messina at their artistic and commercial peak. Meaning, this double cd is full of good music, and the audience is most appreciative.

Messina is the junior partner, but he's far from being the inconsequential Oates to Kenny Loggins' Hall. Messina's pop country background with Poco and his production talents give this material a lot of its texture. His voice is pleasant but rather nondescript; he is really a born harmony singer. He is the perfect complement to Loggins.

Loggins' big rangy California drawl is easily the star of the show. He has the audience in his hand in the opening solo acoustic numbers. And he could belt, too! If you don't believe it, trying singing along with him in the chorus to "Vahevala." In the same key. At the same volume!

The hits are here, and the instrumental jamming which could be distracting on the studio versions comes off very well here. The cornerstone of the album is the 20-minute expansion of "Vahevala". Amazingly, it doesn't flag over that marathon length. (You can tell that this jam is commercial, sell-out, AM radio pop instead of authentic, gutsy, genuine R&R, because it has no endless drum solo.) The band runs through the song's normal version and then sets off into a long instrumental. It gradually draws down into guitars, then fiddle, then pipes, then whalesong noises, before the band re-enters for the finale. It's a real joy, seeming shorter than the included version of "Angry Eyes", which is half the length.

The only lingering question is this: A good time was had by all, so why all the sour faces in the liner photos of the band?

sounding thing occurred when ex-Springfield Messina melded with Loggins,and it was LARGE!C.S.N.&Y. strove to be this good every time they released a tune. This compilation not only displays the music-crafting abilities of these two in conjunction,but also showcases their power to deliver dynamic LIVE performances. dedicated to Todd j3

Like the fan in a previous review, I too wore out the vinyl and then the cassette. The cassette would be eligible for some serious frequent flyer miles considering how many miles it's soothing melodies and down-right serious, inspired and intense tunes it provided my '70's core group as we made our uncountable trips to the Colorado river and Mammoth. Nothing better than to
turn the boat motor off in the middle of Lake Mojave, get another cold beer and turn up Loggins and Messina.
I guess this is not really a review of Onstage but a short, sincere barrage of words stating that,even to this day, my friends and I cannot go for more than a few days without either a Loggins or a Loggins/Messina fix. It was such a part of our growing up...including how to grow up...that it will remain part of our routine sanity check until we check out.
Kenny and Jimmy......Thanks!! You saved lives !!

Brings back many memories. I was fortunate enough to see the duo play in concert many, many years ago and this recording is like the memory. Much of the music is rather soft, but they rock the house with Angry Eyes, Vahevala, and stir up warm fuzzies with the trilogy: Lovin' Me/To Make a Woman Feel Wanted/Peace of Mind. This album rated a 5 stars primarily due to it's memory provoking music. The CD recording is great and allows for the feeling of being at the concert. By the way, they were recently on tour together and did a wonderful show. Therefore, we had to purchase the CD cause my album is too delicate to play.

It's a shame so few people know about this recording. I've long since discarded my old "classic rock" collection ... paring it down to a bare handful of "essentials." This ranks as one of those handful of "essentials" in my collection ... For me it's right up there with the Byrd's "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" album or CSN&Y's 4 Way Street ... this band jams - with deliberate passion, and consumate skill.

Track after track of great tunes. Golden ribbons is a fav! Angry Eyes is awsome! Vahevela has a great instrumental jam. Kenny and Jim blended beautifully!

They rock on extended versions of both Angry Eyes and Vahevalla. The guitar and sax play on Angry Eyes would have me buy this CD if it was the only worthwhile track, fortunately it is only the best of many.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GREAT ALBUM WHEN I HAD IT YEARS AGO BUT NOW ON THIS C'D AND WITH EXTRA TRACKS THE RECORD NEVER HAD WOW I CAN ONLY SAY WOW THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST LIVE RECORDINGS EVER THIS IS A MUST HAVE IF YOU LOVE LOGGINS AND MESSINA IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THIS IN YOUR MUSIC COLLECTION THEN BUY IT NOW...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ITS THAT GOOD