Richard R. Yanda | Port Washington, WI USA | 08/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The fidelity is incredible and the vocal harmonies of the lead singers, Kurt Neumann and Sammy Llanas, come through in perfection. The quality is such that with a great system you can close your eyes and transport yourself to the incredible live show BoDeans are known for.
Kenny Aronoff is arguably the best drummer around today. How many drummers can start the emotion solo as he does with "You Don't Get Much," on an extended version of the band's haunting song about longing for love and belonging?
"Once In A While" is a song that should be played every New Year's at midnight. The peaceful hope for a moment when "things turn out the way I think they should" is evoked by Neumann's understated vocal with a sparse, but powerful backing by the band.
Llanas's voice has aged gracefully over the years and he has never sounded better on the dedicated delivery of "Naked."
Bukka Allen is the punctuation mark on the definition of Roots Rock and Americana music. His accordion enhances the opening track, "Texas Ride Song," and careens enthusiastically with bassist, Bob Griffin, on the CDs rollicking finish, "Closer To Free."
Catch up with one of the best bands ~ both lyrically and musically ~ and hear what a live album should sound like! This is what groups such as Wilco and Son Volt should aspire to."
Real Rock n Roll!
E. Joy | Texas, USA | 08/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This double CD is one of the best examples of what's missing in music today. It is real rock n roll!!!! The BoDeans are one of the most criminally ignored bands in the history of music, along with The Del Lords, The Michael Stanley Band, Pavlov's Dog, Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, The Rockets, etc. I've been a fan of the band since the first album and with each release I thought that "This is the one that will break them into the national spotlight.", but it hasn't happened yet. This recording, along with their other live recording "Joe Dirt Car", shows the band at their best, live and rockin'. Get this CD and hear what great music sounds like."
One of the BEST Live Albums of Recent years
Michael | Orange, California USA | 09/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Album byt he Bodeans is as good or better than Joe Dirt Car which was/is one of the best Rock and Roll Live albums ever put out. I can't beleive the fidelity it's just super. I think the Bodeans are one of the most underestimated and under appreciated bands of the last 10 years and it's a shame because they desever super star status for their music and perseverence. I've played this album in some way every day since I got in the mail from Amazon. I recommend getting it from one of the sellers just because you'll save some money and most stores don't even carry it. The drummer on this album is Kenny Aronoff who is one of the BEST drummers around.. He was John Mellencamp's drummer untill Mellencamp went hip p/mix/r&r etc... in other words during his peak years and his drumming on this album is exceptional
It's just great and you won't go wroong if you like plain old Rock and Roll.. if you et it enjoy"
A glimpse of what is too rare nowadays...
J. York | Concord, OH | 06/27/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Someone in this space, although a fan, described this release as "trash". I take issue with that comment. I too, am a BoDeans fan from way back. They are one of those bands like The Replacements, Pixies, They Might Be Giants and Violent Femmes. They were never a large commercial success with radio-friendly hits, but had a catalog of many successful releases and gigantic fan bases .
They were successful because they're music spoke to their fans, and they're live shows were more of an intimate gathering than an album release tour stop. I've seen all of these bands live and will attest to the connection that only a band dedicated to their fan base can possess.
The four bands I previously mentioned are all but retired, with the exception of the occasional release. The BoDeans are a band whose fan base may be long in the tooth, but no less enthusiastic. I feel that the difference between this disk and Joe Dirt is this one is a performance from a more recent tour, and shows affirmation that the band to be as vibrant today as they ever were. I have the DVD version, which makes this even more evident.
Maybe I am just an old codger hanging on to the past, but I believe that the BoDeans are a throwback to the way live Rock and Roll was meant to be. You have guys that perfom their masterful melodies with taught arrangements. They leave no doubt of their stature as one of the premiere bar bands with their long history of making thier brand of music and performing together for decades."
The Ultimate Bar Band
A. F. Jackson | Philly Suburbs | 01/15/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I saw the BoDeans on this tour and this disk does a very good job of capturing the enthusiam in the show. Sammy and the boys don't dissapoint and this disk is no exception."