Customer Reviews

They Were Better Live

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

 

 

First saw these guys as opening act to U2 and BB King at the Sydney Entertainment Centre and was blown away. As soon as U2 finished, I raced over to the Petersham Inn gig (mentioned in the liner notes) to see these guys for the 2nd time that night and I have been a devoted follower ever since. Mick Thomas' voice - particularly on "Streets of Forbes" - is pure intensity and the band are right behind him. Too many highlights on this album to list, any self-respecting Aussie must buy this, but anyone who appreciates their rock mixed with a bit of dip of the lid to folk/country/story-telling and a dash of punk will get goosebumps over this.

I am a huge fan of this band : Weddings Parties Anyting. But until the start of this year I had never heard of them! I am very very glad I know them now.

WPA are an Australian Folk/Rock band, and one of the most passionate bands I have ever seen. 'They Were Better Live' solidifies that fact. All 32 tracks are full of energy and have fantastic vocals, some of the best lyrics I have ever heard and amazing music (especially from Jen Anderson on the violin).

Highlight tracks for me are 'Barrett's Privateers' - a sea shanty, 'Sisters of Mercy' - very different from the heard on 'Roaring Days', 'Sergeant Small' and 'Woman of Ireland'- always amusing, 'Grey Skies Over Collingwood' and 'A Tale They Won't Believe' - always will be my favourite WPA song. There are more of course but I would go on forever.

This 2-disc CD is a must have for a fan, lovers of Irish/Australian/folk music and anyone who wants some cheery music full of clear talent and I give it 5 stars.

The title says it all. Despite having recorded 7 great studio albums and a bunch of wonderful EPs, Weddings Parties Anything were so much more in front of an audience.

This double album was recorded just a week before the band played their final gig; they were in their home town, and in full swing as they belted out live favourites including "Ticket in Tatts" (you can hear the 10 cent pieces falling among the band).

Forget Talking Heads' "Stop Making Sense", Ani Difranco's "Living In Clip" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Live in Central Park", this is the best live album ever.

Australian bands earn their keep in the pubs throughout Oz, and no one earn't it better than the weddo's. If you have just an inkling of what they were like buy this album. They never played to anything less than packed houses, and I for one never went home without being soaked in beer, hoarse from the singing, and feet screaming for rest from the 2 hour show. They sum up everything Australian, and put them up there with Paul Kelly and you have a true representation of what most Australians following the live scene throughout Australia in the last ten years would crawl over broken glass to see. Yes, they were better live.

It was in my 2nd year of university and I was dragged along by a friend to see a pub band i had only heard of through a single song and did not really think much of. Much to my surprise it was possibly the best concert experience i have ever had. I have been totally hooked on the band since. 'They Were Better Live' sums up WPA, in that as good as their albums were, the live concerts were something else instead. This CD captures the passion and humour of a WPA concert as far as it is possible to do so without being there yourself. Plus it has all the favorites. For someone being introduced to the band for the first time I would suggest they buy Roaring Days , but after that this is a good substitute. particularly seeing WPA have since passed on.

"If you could get a pie a WPA gig would be better than the footy" as one fan has aptly put it Weddings Parties Anything were rarely anything worse than very good whether playing to a couple of dozen punters or beer soaked halls in their home country. Featuring one of the great Australian singer/songwriters in Mick Thomas (Paul Kelly alone is in his class) and a changing but ever talented ensemble WPA could lift the roof off and set the floor rattling with songs like "Its A Tale They Won't Believe" or "Roaring Days" and tear the hearts out of the audience with ballads like "Step in, Step Out", "For A Short Time" and "Laughing Boy". Mick Thomas is touring solo or with his new band the Sure Thing and doing great new material but its a sure thing that these days on the WPA farewell tour won't be seen again. Full value for the price of admission with nary a soul leaving before fulltime. Chonk on!

Ah. This CD was great...I can't listen to their studio albums now because this album made everything appear so plain. This is a must get for a WPA fan..Micks heavy australian voice is the guiding force in the CD...it's a joy to listen to :-)