Customer Reviews

Viva

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love hearing all of the positive reviews of VIVA, especially from such a diverse age group.I was on board early on, just because of my age. VIVA,is a wonderful example of Roxys'mystique,beauty and power.What detracts from it is simply, its length. They could have sqeezed on one or two more songs. ( mother of pearl.) What I really want to do is remind everybody just how terrific a drummer Paul Thomson is. Very often, he is the power that propels the rocket that is Roxy.

I was in a lame, sentimental mood, and wanted to hear "avalon", the song. Borrowed the CD, along with a copy of Roxy's "Country Life". Was bowled over by "Country Life" - this was real rock and roll, original and excellent. Not the upscale mellow rock of Avalon. I then found "Viva", and I am blown away. How did I ever miss this music? This is some of the most incredible live music I have ever heard. "Both Ends Burning" and "If there is something" are standouts, but this is an incredible compilation of live music. I've only been listening to it for a few days, and in my estimation it might be up there with Live at Leeds and get your ya ya's out.

Having been born in the mid-seventies, it's safe to say that I never got the chance to see Roxy Music play at their zenith (I was conceived when they were touring in support of Siren.) In high school, my brother turned me on to them, and I've been hooked ever since. And while it was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my life to have seen them live 3 times (twice in 2001 and once just last weekend), I still could only imagine what it must have been like to have seen them in the mid-seventies.

VIVA is the next best thing to that, I guess. And what a charimsatic, intense and amazing live performance this is. The band sounds tight and enthusiastic, and Ferry's voice has never sounded more dynamic.
While there is not a bad track on the disc, the highlights for me are PYJAMARAMA (a thousand times better than the studio version), BOTH ENDS BURNING (absolutely perfect), and the outstanding OUT OF THE BLUE which features all the trademark aspcts of ROXY MUSIC: Ferry's soaring vocals, Manzanera's guitar virtuosity, and Mackays catchy oboe (not to mention an amazing violin solo by Eddie Jobson).
As good as all these are though, the raison d'etre has to be the out-of-this-world, long version of IF THERE IS SOMETHING. What starts off as a twangy, country-flavored little ditty turns into a dark and dirty jam session. After about five minutes of jamming, Ferry's takes charge again starting with the lines "shake your head girl with your pony tail....it takes me right back..when you were young." ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!!!
VIVA is far and away the best live Roxy Music album. HEART STILL BEATING (taken from the 1982-83) Avalon Tour is worth it only for the live version of JEALOUS GUY and a few other later Roxy tracks (they sound tired and weak on the earlier stuff.) The recent live album, simply called LIVE, taken from the 2001 reunion tour is excellent, but, let's face it, nothing can compare to the sound of this band at this point in their career. Did anybody ever sound this amazing?

This was Roxy live! when Roxy cooked. The performances here in many cases improve on the original studio versions especially "In Every Dreamhome A Heartache". The segue of "Chance Meeting" into "Both Ends Burning" is powerful and although these two tunes were from different albums, it seems like they really do belong together as one piece of music. This record inspires me so much that I used to listen to it before playing important gigs just to keep it's vibe somewhere in the back of my mind, hoping something would rub off. I originally owned it on 8-Track tape (I date myself)upgraded to vinyl and then CD, so any 3 format purchase has to be an automatic 5 star don't you think ?

I am so glad to find that there are at least 10 people who agree with me that this is one of best live rock albums ever. Roxy at their prime were a very unusual band, and this album demonstrates this but at the same time the dynamic performances often take your breath away. I always think the stand out musician here is Paul Thompson and his incredible, powerful, drumming exemplified by the first track, "Out of the Blue". "Chance Meeting" is also one of my favorites and so much better and more melancholic than on the studio album. "If there is Something" has a great guitar solo from Phil Manzanera. "In Every Dream Home a Heartache" is also superb and the tension before the break out at the end is palpable. The album finishes with a very exciting "Do the Strand" that kicks the studio album version into the trash. His "Eskimos and Geordies!" implies that this track at least was recorded in Newcastle upon Tyne.

This is a much overlooked album which Ferry maintains they put out for contractual obligation reasons which just reinforces the negative vibes everyone gets about this album. It is very different from the later, 80s, Roxy who produced smooth, "lounge-lizard-type" material, but it is a natural climax for the earlier, arty, more experimental early (and best) Roxy. I personally think it is one of the very best live albums: unusual but at the same time exciting.

This is the album to have if you want to hear Roxy in their prime. A representative collection of songs covering their concert tours from 1973-1975, the album is, stylistically, all over the place from the art rock of "In every dream home a heartache" to the straight ahead rock of "Out of the blue". The playing is outstanding with Manzanera's snarling guitar solos and MacKay's screeching sax adding to the intensity of the songs.

Bryan Ferry is in fine voice throughout(there isn't any mention of overdubbing and, since the band had split up by the time this was released, its possible that there wasn't any.)and leads a bruising "Pyjamarama" that rips the original studio recording to shreds. "Both ends burning" with its campy back up vocals adds a charming element to both the song and the album.

Chris Thomas' production is spectacular and, though recorded in the early to mid 70's, sounds sharper than most concert recordings from that time. The only fault I can find is that when E.G./Reprise released this on cd, they should have added bonus tracks. There's a terrific version of "For your pleasure" from the same time frame that ended up as a b side to an early single. Also, rumour has it that there are also terrific songs in the can considered for the album from STRANDED & COUNTRY LIFE.

This is the Roxy Music album to have as it represents the band at their musical peak. While HEART STILL BEATING(the expanded version of THE HIGH ROAD album)has its moments, it never catches fire like this album.

I bought this album when it came out in 1976. During the period 1973-75 Roxy were hugely popular in the UK, and regarded with one of the best live acts in the country. As a former Brit, I am often surprised how some British bands like Roxy never really made it in the U.S.

Viva! is in my opinion the best thing that they ever did, and it's still one of my favorite albums. Like Cream the live versions of their songs are a lot more powerful than than the studio recordings. Albums like For your Pleasure sound "tinny" by comparison.

Manzanera, Jobson and Thompson were underated musicians. Roxy were a great live rock band, with lots of energy and a unique sound.

What does? The intro to this amazing live album. Paul lays down
the strong beat and Andrew rides along with a typically eerie
oboe solo. Then suddenly a quick drum fill and what follows is the most intense in-your-face vocals ever by Bryan Ferry "all your cares, now they seem so far away......". B.F. never sounded
better than this live version of "Out of the Blue" and it's great
that they didn't go for the commercial sell out "best of/live album". You have to be a die hard Roxy fan to even know about these songs and what albums they originally appeared on. Roxy will always be one of those fun bands that no one knows about except you and a few thousand people worldwide. How many people
DO you know that are familiar with "Remake/Remodel"? It is a sad
thing that "R/R" didn't make it to this live disc, but there are
other old classics like "Chance Meeting" (haven't we all had at
least one of those) and the immortal "If there is something". Put
this song on at a party, it will clear the room immediately. Once
Bryan breaks into his "throwing potatoes by the score" bit, your
friends will wonder "what is THIS"? You can tell them "VIVA ROXY!!!" This has to be the most underated live album from the
70's, except for the brilliant and otherworldly "Rock and Roll
Animal" by Lou Reed. Bryan and the boys rip up the place on this
disc. This should be in your collection. Buy it and wear it out....

I agree with many others that this is Roxy Music at their prime. I thought I'd share a couple thoughts about why. Aside from the band itself being in top form, the energy of that time came into play. Phil Manzanera was also in a band called 801 Live with Brian Eno, which kept his guitar on fire, and the bass player for the tour was John Wetton, recently of King Crimson! So that powerful bass/guitar jam in "Red" by King Crimson seems to be flowing through this tour as well. Fascinating dynamic!

Roxy Music's career can be divided into two fairly distinct halves. Mach I was the flamboyant early to mid 70's version that mixed experimentation with a unique rocking side. Mach II was the creamy dance band of the late 70's and early eighties. While both bands had their highlights, I definatley prefer the early version. This CD documents the band playing live in their glory years . The strong, but unusual selection of songs are enhanced by strong performances. A number of these cuts eclipse the already amazing studio versions. My favorites include BOTH ENDS BURNING, IF THERE IS SOMETHING and PYJAMARAMA. Bryan ferry is obviously enjoying himself in these performances and the rest of the band contibutes sublime moments throughout. For fans of the early version of this band, VIVA is a must have. Those fans of the later years may wish to check this out before purchasing.