Search - Streetwalkers, Roger Chapman, Charlie Whitney :: BBC Radio 1 in Concert

What's here is terrific, but very stingy in quantity.

01/13/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Streetwalkers. Six songs. Twenty-five bucks. Anyone who is still interested is undoubtedly familiar with the material and should buy this disc. All you really want to know is whether the sound quality & performance quality are worthwhile. All 5 live tracks pass both tests with flying colors. The five live cuts are all outstanding versions of primo Streetwalkers songs. The first 4 tracks are apparently from the debut album tour, & are every bit as good as I remember (they were opening for Roxy Music). The live versions are a joy because the production of the debut album was so flat. Unless you saw them, this is the first time you've REALLY heard these songs-- especially "Burn It Down," which was oddly muted in the album version. Track 5 is a killer version of "Daddy Rolling Stone," albeit taken a bit slower than the version from the "Red Card" album. Inexplicably, although listed as a live track, "Chile Con Carne" is obviously the album cut (same horns, same "Move over, Toots" chick), replayed for a TV studio audience. Poor sound, as well, on that cut. If the album were available on CD, inclusion of this track would be inexcusable. I find it hard to believe that the manufacturer could not find more material to push this CD past the 34 minute mark, but better this than nothing."

Better hold on to your hats cause a storm is coming!

loce_the_wizard | Lilburn, GA USA | 06/12/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The brand of rock that Streewalkers championed is not for everyone and it may not be for you. If you are not a rock fan, rock sandblasted to its essence, do not buy this one. Consider that this CD is not only expensive, but also it only has about 40 minutes of music, actually less if you discard the final two throwaway cuts which were added to fill out the disc. (There are better recorded versions of each of these cuts elsewhere.) If, however, you want to hear the real deal live, Roger Chapman, the man whom Rolling Stone once dubbed arguably the greatest rock vocalist ever, then "Crawfish" and "Burn it Down" alone justify the outlay of greenbacks. The energy on those two tracks could move a freight train. Bob Tench, a fine singer in his own right, mixes it up with Chappo on "Crawfish," and then, like a garrison held in reserve, joins the fray at just the right moment well into the epic "Burn it Down." Charlie Whitney, perhaps the most underappreciated guitarist of his heyday, just plain sizzles and when he and Tench trade licks toward the last third of "Burn it Down," the energy they generate will raise the hairs on the nape of your neck. Sure the voice box antics in "Downtown Flyers" sounds dated, but the hell-bent for fun attitude still rings true. "Walking on Waters" crackles with energy and showcases the band alternating between power and restraint. Remember your first taste of Irish whiskey, the burn, the strangeness? This recording is the sonic equal of that experience. So if your music is more the wine and cheese or "lite" beer category, stay far away. But if you want the real deal, crank that volume up. And for the fun of it, don't tell your friends what you are playing till it's over. Bet they will ask you a dozen times, who is that? Pity there are more recordings like this one out there."