Disappointing
Michael Hann | London United Kingdom | 07/28/2000
(2 out of 5 stars)
"This album was greeted with some fanfare in the Uk music press, for whom Shack are the current darlings. The fanfare was misplaced: this is an audience-quality bootleg recording, put out on an official CD so Arthur Lee would gain some benefit. Reviewers have commented on what a sympathetic backing bacd Shack are on this recording. Not that you can tell from listening - the poor sound quality tramples on any subtelty and renders it impossible towork out why this is such a legendary gig. If there is a recent Arthur Lee gig that deserves to be released on CD, it would be the one he played at the Garage in London in June 1994, when the High Llamas played as Love. The Llamas brought along flute, harpsichord, brass and strings to add the essential light and shade which Shack - a basic four-piece guitar band - cannot. I believe Arthur Lee said the Llamas were the best Love since, well, Love. And Sean O'Hagan said it was the best gig thet High Llamas have ever played."
Quite an insult to a great talent!
Michael Hann | 05/02/2002
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I appreciate that the amount of Arthur Lee material available is small (a fact that will hopefully be reversed now Arthur is free and, thankfully, back in the recording studio) but this release is frankly an insult. I can honestly say even some of the poorest quality bootlegs I own trounce this appalling album. It's clear it wasn't even recorded on a four track...infact it was probably a dictaphone!Granted, Arthur needs all the support he can get right now, but shame on Generic for releasing this dross!"
Arthur Lee & Shack-Live in Liverpool
Michael Parola | Fresno, CA USA | 07/01/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Arthur Lee of "Love" fame returns to the record racks after a long hiatus with his first "official bootleg". This disc documents the 1992 Liverpool show he did with the 4 piece British band "Shack"led by the brothers Michael and John Head. The material covered is mostly "classic" era Love from the bands' Electra Records period, however they also delve into some of Lee's more recent and obscure tunes like the excellent "Somebody's Watchin' You" from his last full studio recording ("Arthur Lee & Love") effort recorded in '92 for the small French label New Rose (now out of print). Also included on this 54 minute performance is a 12 minute interview with Mr.Lee on the day of the gig. I strongly encourage all Arthur Lee/Love fans to grab this one, quick! -M. Parola"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1