Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is an excellent cd version of the original LP, March 27, 2006
I had a big laugh reading the other reviews by the so-called REO authorities....my suggestion to these other folks.....you need to DO YOUR HOMEWORK before spouting off..by doing so...you demonstrated that you really dont have a clue about who REO really is and where they came from......1st off....Roll with the changes wasn't recorded till the "Tuna fish" lp...which followed this 1976 album in 1978....That is just the first conclusion these uninformed people jumped to. If they would have even READ the liner notes...they would have seen that this recording was from the 1975 tour....which preceeded the TUNA FISH lp by almost 3 years.
As far as sound quality...the overall sound is a tad bright and lacks a strong bottom end....but this can easily be compensated with your EQ or tone controls on your HiFi....also..the output of the recording is slightly weak...I am guessing they did this to hold the noise level down...Once again....an EQ will correct this.
I have been an REO fan since they came on the scene in 1971....as I am from central illinois...This album was recorded while the lineup of 1975....including original bassist Greg Philbin was still onhand...and in my opinion, he defined the trademark REO bass sound. Listen to his bass lines throughout the album...the playing is very strong and he gives the band a "lean into it affect" that pushes them, while maintaining a constant groove.....this was what they were known for. Many REO enthusiasts, such as myself; prefer this lineup over the later band. The songs were performed with a much stronger sincerity and less syrupy sellout, that became a trademark after 1980's Hi-Infidelty. Those who remember the REO from the first 6 albums, will have fond memories of an authentic concert band, who could hold their own against any of their contemporaries.
Bruce Hall is a great bassist...He just has a different bass technique than Greg Philbin.....Something more along the line of bassist from Journey...Foreigner...Boston....and other bands that dominated the latter 70s and early 80s.
Now.....If you want my opinion....which you're getting...whether you like it or not......this album is complete in every way shape and form....THE ONLY TRACKS THAT HAVE BEEN OMITTED ARE.."Garys guitar solo" and "Little Queenie"...I can fully understand why Garys solo was left off....it sucked and was overindulgent BS....But if you recall the T.W.O LP from 1972...Little Queenie was a major rocker and even extended it out with the help of Memphis, TN sax lengend Boots Randolph (Yackety sax fame)..and they do a very good live rendition on the Live LP...altho it got cut too short...all the other songs are complete and as they originally appeared on the vinyl lp.
For the price....this cd is far from being a ripoff.....the people who criticized and condemned this cd are people who became REO fans after 1980 and have absolutely no idea of the band that existed before that time...and they would also have no appreciation for a band that was truly a creative, driving force in the midwest...back in 1971-1976..before they became nationally famous.
BUY THE CD AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELF...YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED!
------------------------------
later note.....the 4 people who didn't find this helpful were obviously those who prefer the post 1980 version of REO....To them...all I can say is......I sympathize the fact you were born late and missed the best musical period this band ever had. (1971-76)
|
|
|
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
This is not your father's "REO:Live", August 22, 1999
By A Customer
This CD is not a direct reproduction of the LP. This was originally a double album,that has been fit on a single CD. Among others, "157 Riverside Avenue", a classic live cut has been severely edited, removing what is, in my opinion, the best part of the entire album. If you are looking for the full version, blow the dust off your turntable and break out the vinyl.
|
|
|
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not a complete production, September 4, 2005
I only own two REO releases; You Can Tuna Piano... and You Get What You Play For; and both are on vinyl. Why you may ask? Well, after reading the reviews for You Get... I decided that the only way to go was vinyl so I'd get the complete concert.
After listening to all 4 sides I've made a couple of mental notes. First, I believe that everyone that gave this cd 3 or fewer stars is correct. Until the omitted tracks are returned and the album remastered there is no sense in spending money on the cd. That brings me to the second point, remaster this album! Gary Richrath's guitar is buried too deep in the mix. It's his guitar that makes songs like 157 Riverside, The Flying Turkey Trot, and others the whole point of buying '70s rock! Remix it, add the guitar solo and Little Queenie and then the cd will truly be worth purchasing. In the meantime, if you don't have this, get it on vinyl and spin some great tunes.
P.S. REO seriously went downhill with the release of Hi Fidelity, subsequent releases, and letting go of Gary. I agree with other reviewers that the band was much better churning out Midwest bar rock instead of the sappy, love songs.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
~ REO Speedwagon
~ REO Speedwagon
~ REO Speedwagon
~ REO Speedwagon
~ REO Speedwagon
is one of REO Speedwagon's 
