Customer Reviews

We Love 'Em Tonight (Live at Tipitina's)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Whoever said this CD was lacking "groove" or "soul" obviously knows little about music. This is Galactic's best release to date, just worlds better than their studio work. It's funky, laid-back, and groovin'. Good mix of tunes, a great "Blue Pepper" and the "Bobski > Villified" is awesome. If you are a fan of this hard-to-classify jazzy funk, Nawlins gumbo, pick this up. It won't fail to put a smile on your face and make all ten toes tap.

My first Galactic album, and it won't be the last. If some of the other reviewers (who don't like this album as much as Galactic's prior efforts) are correct, I have to get more.

This is extremely hot.

So much for the two star guy.. he needs to get his ears cleaned, and see the band now, not in 1999. This band is so progressive that he didn't even realize who he was listening to! Yeah, you don't get the energy of a live show on a CD, and Nick did fool with the dials, but the more you listen to this, the more you'll realize that these guys are the real deal. Funk, groove, jammin' rock and all the NOLA you want. Mercurio holding the base down, Stanton pounding, Vogel getting funked-out in the shadows and Raines stepping into the spotlight and tearing it up. The CD is a B, the band live is an A. Check it out.

Though I've been downloading random Galactic songs for a while, I've always been told that NOTHING can capture the intensity of a live show and, while not being able to attend one yet, waiting for this album seemed to be the next best thing. I must say that as I continue to listen, it becomes more and more worth it. Though some of the jams become monotonous without the true live feel, there are more than enough gems on this cd to keep a listener occupied. Check out "shibuya" and Sabbath's "sweet leaf".. you won't be disappointed.

Having seen these guys live a couple of times, I know they spare no expense (sweat) in kicking out the groove. This recording is no exception to the fantastic live sound that results. However, I think the creative punch of the band has been tapering since Coolin' Off. Granted, they've produced some gems since that first disc, but have failed to recapture that fresh feel that originally turned me on to their sound. This album is not necessarily a natural progression in that trend, as it does include some very interesting covers, and a previously unreleased Moog Marmalade (which is sick), but I feel like they need to switch gears to retain my interest. Bottom line, you should own this album, especially if you're into galactic, but don't expect it to blow your mind.

For any well versed Galactic fan, "We Love 'Em Tonight (Live at Tipitina's)" is a tremendous recording, displaying the musicality and energy that the band exudes in live performance. Though, for any person who has only heard the name, Galactic, and needs a valid introduction to the band's sound and raw power, than this album is for you. Originating in New Orleans, they play an eclectic blend of Funk, 2nd Line, Jazz, Rock, Hip-Hop, and Middle Eastern styles. The driving force behind their sound is world-famous drummer, Stanton Moore's ripping chops, along with the pulsing funk bass and guitar of Robert Mercurio and Jeff Raines. Add Richard Vogel on hot keyboards, Ben Ellman on spacious sax and harmonica, and Theryl DeClouet on vocals, the groove reaches an incredible pocket that can only be obtain with years of experience. Treat this release as a snapshot of a typical live performance from Galactic.

If your looking for a hot new band or some of the best Galactic recorded, buy this album.

If you like live jazz/funk, you will like this cd. Sound is good, and the music sure hits the spot if you are in the mood to listening to music at a "live venue". I recommend this cd!

These guys, when on point, can lay down the groove like no others and this album (in my opinion, their BEST!) is a great representation of them at work! Stanton Moore is probably the best drummer ever!

Excellent composition backed by solid beat. Everyone does their part to put together a combination sound that moves the soul.

Galactic today isn't exactly the same band they once were, with their vocalist Theryl De'Clouet departing a few years ago and the band moving to an essentially instrumental sound. They're now combining their signature spacey funk sound with some hip-hop sounds on a new album, but they're still laying down the priceless live sound that they used to, just without vocals. That's what this album is all about--showing what made Galactic popular in the first place; their relentless touring and fiercely enjoyable and energetic live sound. It's tough to distill such a diverse and sprawling live repertoire into one disc, but I think (having seen Galactic live 6 times) We Love 'Em Tonight does a pretty great job of playing to the band's strengths and representing their live sound--some great jams, an energetic interaction with the crowd, some favorites from their studio recordings mixed with obscure tunes, and about 1/3 to 1/2 of the show featuring the Houseman, their vocalist.

The best part about seeing Galactic live is the ridiculous heights their instrumentals and jams reach--this album shows that right away with the standard "Crazyhorse Mongoose," featuring the improvisational skills of pretty much all the band members (excepting maybe bassist Robert Mercurio)--by the time of this album's recording, Jeff Raines had really improved his chops and improv abilities, Rich Vogel shines on his many keyboards (especially the Moog synthesizer sound that typifies the band's sound on many tracks, as well as hammond, electric piano and clavinet), Ben Ellman's funky, slightly jazzy sax, and Stanton Moore's unbeatable drumming abilities.

This album is a great look into Galactic's restlessness with their classic songs--they turn album classics like "Baker's Dozen" and "Two Clowns" on their ends, adding and changing a lot of elements from the album versions in ways that sound fresh and exciting. It's great to hear the crowd's involvement as the group reaches energetic peaks in the songs--the energy is infectious, and a hallmark of a successful live album. The Houseman's contributions are, for the most part, successful. He sounds a bit rough on "Vilified," but the chestnuts "My Mind is Hazy," "I Get Lifted," and the wicked funky reworking of Black Sabbath's "Sweet Leaf" are totally essential. A few of the other instrumentals (I'm thinking "Lumpology" and Ellington's "Blue Pepper," for example), though well-played and energetic, seem a bit random and not representative of Galactic's live standards on their sole live disc, but I suppose that eclecticism is accurately reflective of Galactic's live shows. "Shibuya," at least, is a shining example of Galactic's barnstorming pre-encore closers, with Raines' slide guitar rocking hard and Ben Ellman's harmonica matching the groove note for note through a lurching finish.

If you're a fan of Galactic or have seen them live, I wholeheartedly recommend this disc--it's worth the money and didn't let me down as a recorded document of their live shows. It's probably not the best place to start for people who aren't familiar, although Galactic's studio albums often don't really represent their live sound (especially 2003's excellent but unrepresentative Ruckus album). Hope you enjoy the funk!