Record Reviews

CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG ~ CSNY 1974 RHINO 081227960353 (Barcode: 081227960353) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2014 This magnificent Box Set is the document of the legendary 1974 tour by the seminal Classic Rock group Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist. Organized by the no less legendary Rock impresario Bill GrahamFind albums by this artist, the tour lasted between July 9th 1974 and September 14th 1974, totaling in 31 shows. An additional one-off show was also played on December 14, 1974. Overall this was the most extensive tour ever attempted by a Rock act to that date. The group was assisted by three additional musicians: bassist Tim DrummondFind albums by this artist, drummer Russell KunkelFind albums by this artist and percussionist Joe LalaFind albums by this artist. The Box Set consists of three CDs and a DVD, which are a selection from the music recorded and filmed during the tour. CDs 1 and 3 offer electric sets and CD 2 offers a purely acoustic set. The Box Set also includes a marvelous 188-page book with information and beautiful photographs. The entire Box Set is an obvious labor of love, mostly invested by Graham NashFind albums by this artist, who became a de facto group archivist and Joel BernsteinFind albums by this artist who was in charge of some superb productions over the years. The three CDs offer an amazing collection of forty songs, which in retrospect are some of the finest songs ever written, not only by the Mighty Four, but in the general Classic Rock idiom´s time span. They include of course material from the debut Crosby, Stills & NashFind albums by this artist album and the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young album, as well as from the individual solo albums recorded by the group members. Some of the songs present in this box have never been released in their live version before. The sound quality and the individual performances captured on these recordings are some of the finest Classic Rock moments ever recorded. Every word and every sound are just perfect and exactly what is needed at the given moment. The intimacy and camaraderie between the group members and the rapport they manage to create with the audience are simply stellar. The four decades that separate the dates of the recording of these concerts and the date of the release of this Box Set did not manage to take an iota off the glory, beauty and artistry of the music presented here. The world managed to sink into darkness and stupidity, and as a result this music shines even brighter now than it did at the time of its creation. Thank God for the invention of sound recording. This Box Set proudly joins the great Classic Rock live recordings heritage that keeps some of us mentally alive today.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 20/01/2019

3CD+DVD 4 Digipak Box Set Recommend To A Friend

WHO ~ LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST 1968 POLYDOR 602567444855 (Barcode: 602567444855) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2018 This is a sensational archival release presenting live recordings by the seminal British Rock group The WhoFind albums by this artist captured at the very end of their first grueling US tour as headliners, recorded at the NY Rock shrine: Bill GrahamFind albums by this artist´s Fillmore East, reopened recently (at the time) in its new location on the Second Avenue on the Lower East Side. With the intention of the music being released as a live album, both concerts on April 5 and 6, 1968 were recorded, but were eventually shelved, seeing the light of the day exactly half a Century later. Of course The Who released eventually their extraordinary live opus "Live At LeedsFind albums with this title" a couple of years later, which is still considered as one of the best live Rock albums of all time, but his music surely deserved to be released as well. At the time of the recording vocalist Roger DaltreyFind albums by this artist, guitarist Pete TownshendFind albums by this artist, bassist John EntwistleFind albums by this artist and drummer Keith MoonFind albums by this artist had three albums under their belt and were on the verge of stardom, which was about to explode with the release of their fourth album, the legendary Rock Opera "TommyFind albums with this title" a year after the music present here was recorded. After years of playing together they were a lean and mean Rock machine, capable of delivering raw energy of the highest degree, combined with virtuosic performances equally only by the very best of their contemporaries. Daltrey´s theatrical vocals, Townshend´s guitar pyrotechnics, Entwistle´s superb bass parts and Moon´s hyper-energetic drumming are all present here to the delight of the group´s fans and music historians. For the Rock cognoscenti hints of the group´s future direction (i.e. "Tommy") can be already heard here as well. The entire second CD of this album is dedicated to the extended version of the group´s first hit "My Generation" and their renowned anthem, which lasts for more than thirty three minutes in duration. The instrumental work on that piece puts The Who in the same category as other great Rock improvisers at the time, most notably Cream of course. In retrospect this singular piece of music should be considered a "must hear" for anybody who picks up a guitar or starts a group. Basically Rock moved ahead very little since. Considering the superb recording quality this album offers, it is very difficult to comprehend why this treasure was hidden away for so long, simply bordering on the Culturally criminal. Better late than never is a poor solace in this case. Beyond essential!

Updated: 11/09/2018Posted: 11/09/2018

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend