Customer Reviews

Whisky a Go-Go Revisited/I Know You Wanna Dance

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

 

 

BGO has been wonderful about releasing all Johnny Rivers' LPs in 2-for-1 style. This was a surprise to see released, and a welcome one too, but a few things should be noted.

"And I Know You Wanna Dance" is in MONO, for some reason the stereo tapes were not used, and "Revisited" masters were obviously in rough shape as there are warbles and drop-outs throughout that section of the CD. Large booklet enclosed, but nothing in detail about these 2 albums, more of a JR bio.

The CD came with a wrap around it, simply the CD artwork, same as on the inserts. Perhaps they could have skipped this and lowered the price of the CD a bit more, accordingly.

Minor complaints aside...I'm still thrilled to have it in my collection.

Of all the 2x1 CDs from BGO this is the one I waited most. I think both titles are the best live albums by Johnny Rivers. But, unfortunally, the sound isn't that good...I have a mint vinyl copy of the stereo "And I Know You Wanna Dance" and the sound is gorgeous. OK, the mono version also sounds good, but why to choose mono when you have an available stereo version with good mixes. BGO told me that EMI (the owner of the masters) only had the mono master of this album. But if you have any collection that includes songs from this album you'll hear stereo versions. At least, this mono version bring us a bonus: a 6 minute version of the jam "You dig". I don't know how they got it, because the mono and the stereo LPs that I have this song has only 2 minutes...The sound of "Whisky a go-go Revisited" is a mystery to me. There are at least 4 masters available. 1)The CD "John Lee Hooker" released in Holland in, I think, 1990. This was dubbed from vinyl, but the sound hasn't drop-outs or inconstant volume, as it appears on the BGO source. 2) A French EMI CD 2x1 with this album coupled with "More Whisky a go-go" (a France only compilation). This master has the imperfections cited before and the song "CC Rider" is edited in the beginning (why?). 3) An italian version (I think it's a pirate CD) released few years ago with a poor sound, very muddy and with fade-outs in all of the tracks. 4) The Brazilian master; this master as never released on CD, but some of the songs were released in collections, and all of them has good sound, without the imperfections. It would be great if the complete brazilian master was released. The BGO CD was pressed with the French CD master, but with "CC Rider unedited in the beginning...All of these released are in stereo, but this album was also released in mono and it sounds very good. Instead of release of poor stereo master, It would be better if BGO had released the mono version...

But when it comes to the songs: GREAT ALBUM!!! BUY IT NOW!!!

I had the old 33 of "And I know you Wanna Dance..." album and bought this CD as soon as I heard about it. Just great...and lots of hits on it. Not as excited about the 2nd album on the CD. Rivers' version of I Can't Help Myself is a classic in my opinion and wish he did it on his tours - yes, he is still activly touring to sell out crowds. If you're a fan, or a new fan, buy it and enjoy a step back in time. If it was mono it didn't matter to me a bit.

AndI know You Wanna Dance is Rivers best live album.Too bad it was released in mono.Unexcusable period.After all this is the 21st centry.I let the record company know about this and told them they should be ashamed putting out what sounded like to me a boot-legged copy.I was told that the legal department was interested.I e-mailed the gentleman back and gave him my address.The other album I bought it for 98 cenat in 1971.It has some good material on it but it's a through in.I wouldn't pay this much money for this product.

i remeber having the consentient LP some 40 years back - and listened to it virtually day and night. the compilation of songs are near exellent, but maybe some of the 'slower' songs could have been substituted by titles such la bamba; twist and shout; sea cruise etc. but again titles on this cd such as respect/midnight hour; i can't help myself; every day i have to cry some and of course the ever best version of; you've lost that lovin' feelin'- in itself makes this cd a must for rivers fans. thx. andré.

The one song "The Snake", caught my interest and I started listening to Johnny's music. His voice and choice of songs are great. This is my suggested "must buy" for those of us that like to relive the past from 1958 to 1972. I place him in the top ten of vocalists, such as, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presely.