Customer Reviews

VH1 Storytellers/Greatest Moments

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Culture Club's 1998 reunion is a two Cd set:1, a live; 2, a compilation of all their hits. This was definetey something alot of us have looking foreward to for a long time. Sadley, Helen Terry was not there to attend this event (don't ask me why, I'm just as clueless as you might be). Howver, Zee Cowling took her place quite well (with her rock n'roll strength in "Church of the poison mind," and emotion in "Victims"). All the other band mates are there, and Georges beautiful voice sounds ever so strong. He can still bring a tear to an eye when singing the timeless "Do you really want to hurt me?." Packed with some new songs:"Strange voodoo," (from their new album "Don't mind if I do") and "What do you want?" And of course the other CD is great with all their hits, (including 2 of Georges solo songs) closing it with the song of their first reunion attempt, the beautiful "I just want to be loved." I really like this alot. I think I speak for everybody, and myself when I say, or ask: WHERE IS THE VIDEO?!

Boy George's voice is in top form with a slighty smokey quality and a wiser more mature delivery that is reminisent of Sinatra's exceptional post-Ava Gardner recordings of the '60s. The live disc of new recordings of classic Culture Club songs and three new tracks show a singer/songwriter who is more acutely in touch with the emotions that once overwhelmed him. Bitter love songs of betrayal and disappointment that were originally recorded in the 80s with a dominant dance beat and a strangely unimpassioned phrasing and delivery, are here rerecorded with George's vocals for once soaring over the music and at last, his heart finally in it. The new single, "Voodoo" showcases the band's smooth mix of R&B and jazz and has a freer flow, musically, than many of the earlier signature reggae- influenced pop tunes, showing Culture Club's clear desire to reassert itself as something more than a novelty revival act.

The second disc is a straight greatest hits CD, although the outside packaging is very unclear.

i was really surprised when i listened to this cd for the first time , me , like probably most of the people that were on their teens when culture club came out ,was more impressed by o'down's style than culture club's music , being this always a distraction from their musical quality .however , many years after the boy-mania , their music takes the main stage in my interest , and is very true that if you wanna know how good a band really is , you have to listen to them live , and this cd is proof that they're no only great musicians , but george is also a great singer ( a lot of people used to think they were just the result of studio tricks )some songs seem to have had added to a little reggae to them , others a little funk , that makes great versions even when these detais are most of the time almost imperceptibles .this cd and the release of "don't mind if i do" proves that the quality of this band can overcome not only time , but their success based only on boy george's looks .you also get a second cd that maybe better and more complete than most of the hits copilations out there , and for real fans i strongly recomend their box set of 4 cds with demos and never before released songs, it may seem a little pricey but it's worth every penny .

The studio disc is great but the Live one was very weak&boring.the vocals were off.but the studio one sounded great.Time(clock of the Heart) is still the cut.Do you really want to hurt me has a classic Bass Line.miss me blind&just wanna be loved are Great songs.some Great songs that have endured.

Once again, Culture Club proves their musical superiority through this colorful collection of the old and new. For anyone who has ever heard and melted for a Culture Club song will be pleasantly surprised at the new songs on the album, such as "Strange Voodoo" and "I Just Wanna Be Loved". Both the enclosed VH1 Storytellers CD and the Greatest Moments CD have that wonderful "gay reggae", pop style that any old fan would love. This boxed set is a true piece of art!

To have Culture Club come together like this again is spectacular!! I have waited for so long. And to hear George explain the songs is wonderful. Hearing these songs again is like hearing them for the first time. Even though they are the same songs, they have a different twist to them. I have been a fan since I was 16, Im 31 now. During those teenage years those songs helped me get through some very rough times. I cant thank George enough for the happiness he has brought to me. I dont quite understand why the U.S.hasnt been more accepting to him over the last few years. I have all his solo efforts and recent material. People are missing out on some fab music. But some people just dont know a talented person when they hear it. Thanks George!!! Jeff

I was fortunate enough to interview and meet Boy George just days before this CD was coming out -- he was so excited about it, I was especially curious to hear it. While the second disc of studio tracks holds no real surprises, the live disc from the "Storytellers" show is terrific. The band and its supporting musicians is strong, and while George's voice isn't quite as pretty as in his younger years, he's still got that "radiance" to it -- and his charm -- which comes through in his between-the-songs banter -- remains happily intact. Zee Cowling does well as George's vocal sparring partner, but boy, whatever happened to Helen Terry? -- she's missed here. Overall, I'd say this record is a must for any true Culture Club fan.

Like any person who grew up in the 80s watching Mtv, I was well aware of Culture Club. Boy George's open transvestitism shocked plenty in those days, but even that couldn't overshadow the popularity of their hits: Do You Really Want To Hurt Me, Church of the Poison Mind, Karma Chameleon, etc. Still, while I didn't dislike Culture Club, I never really got into them either. All of that changed when I caught their "StoryTellers" performance on Vh-1.

The live recording is amazing. The band is incredibly tight, the sound is deep, and each of the individual instruments sound great and are mixed very well. It sounds pristine on my stereo. Yet make no mistake: Culture Club is a band, not merely Boy George surrounded by some back-up group. Granted they were never one of those "musician's musicians" bands like Rush, Yes, or Joe Satriani, but I think other musicians would be surprised with what Culture Club has to offer. Nevermind the fact that the songs in and of themselves are great -- these guys play incredibly well too.

Speaking as a bass player myself, I've got to say that Mikey Craig has to be one of the most underrated players out there. His lines are complex yet nicely weave into every song he plays. In fact, I'd say that his bass playing alone was my main drive for buying this CD set! "Miss Me Blind", with its locked-in rhythm section, was the one that first particularly caught my ear. Also, as one would guess from the format of VH-1's "StoryTellers" show, the live disc has the band answering some questions and sharing personal anecdotes about some of the songs.

Of course, if you want to hear the hits in their original studio format, they're here too. The studio disc doesn't match the live set list song for song, but in and of itself it serves as a nice "Best of" compilation. I can think of maybe one song from the radio and Mtv that desn't appear on either disc, but overall I can't complain. Whether you're a casual fan looking to buy one compilation, a die-hard fan wanting to hear the reunion, or a musician looking for some unexpected pleasures, I think there's a little something on this release for everybody.

Great CD! If you are a Boy George fan, you will love this one! Hey, can anyone out there help me find the video of VH1 Storytellers Culture Club? I can't find it anywhere!

George, Jon, Mikey, Roy, and Zee are in fine form.