Search - Bryan Adams :: Live Live Live

It's What a Live Album Should Be

L.A. Scene | Indian Trail, NC USA | 05/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bryan Adams' first live album is probably his best one. This one covers his material pre- "Waking Up the Neighbours". For the most part (with the exception of the last song, an acoustic version of "Into the Fire"), this was a concert that was recorded in Wechter Belgium. We are told in both of the liner notes and on the the live album that this was recorded during a driving rain storm in Belgium. We are also told in the liner notes "nothing added, nothing taken away" From a live album standpoint, this is just about everything you expect from a live album - bring the full concert experience to the CD and that is exactly what this release does.The only disappointing thing of this CD is that there is only 3 songs from "Into the Fire" and one was the acoustic version of "Into the Fire". I consider "Into the Fire" to be the best Bryan Adams CD from a creative and musical standpoint. In fact, the version of "Into the Fire" is from a concert in Japan. It surprises me that Adams has not really included much of the material from "Into the Fire" on live or greatest hits CDs.The tracks really tell the story itself. So here is brief rundown of each.
1) She's Only Happy When She's Dancing - When going to live shows, I always wonder what will be the opening song. This one was one I wouldn't have expected to be an opening song, yet it fits the bill just right and brings up the level of intensity immediately. You'll hear how the crows responds to Adams and the band immediately.2) It's Only Love - Although no duet with Tina Turner here, Adams pulls it off perfectly. After "Over and over again", the intense pause in the song comes off great live. You'll hear Adams point out the weather conditions at the end of the track3) Cuts Like a Knife - Not one of my favorite Adams tracks, but like many of the songs - the live version makes it sound even better.4) Kids Wanna Rock - Again, not one of my favorite Adams tracks - but the guitar rifts and drums come off beautifully in the live version. Adams raspy voice combined with the audience response to his performance will make it sound better.5) Hearts on Fire - I loved this song on "Into the Fire", to me on this CD - it blows me away. Same theme as many other songs - sounds better live!6) Take Me Back - Bryan will kick this song off with "Take Me Back Keith" referring to lead guitarist Keith Scott. Listen for how Bryan sings "G-O-N-E gone" - and the great jamming that takes place with the chorus "Take Me Back". Bryan gives some narrative at the end really adding a new dimension to this song.7) The Best was Yet to Come
8) Heaven - These next two songs I refer to as the "Softer interlude". They come at the perfect time during the performance.9) Heat of the Night - Intense is a good word to describe this number. This song has a close sound to the studio version and reflects both the high quality of studio and live work that Bryan and the band can pull off.10) Run to You - "The tapping percussion" sound really provides a great intro into this song. Then the classic guitar intro and you have an incredible version of what I consider to be one of the ultimate Adams classic. The best way to put it - "The Live Version Doesn't Disappoint!" 11) One Night Love Affair - I might have guessed this would open the concert, but this is the perfect bridge following the intense version of "Run to You"12) Long Gone - I was very pleased that Adams just didn't put his "Hits" on this Live Album. A song like "Long Gone" from Reckless is very underrated and I was thrilled to get to hear a live version of this song.13) Summer of 69- Bryan will get the crowd to basically kick off the song and sing "I got my first real six string...". In general, I don't like audiences singing the verses of a song because I feel the performer's job is to do that. But it this case, it really doesn't sound bad.14) Somebody - Bryan wraps up the main set with this song. Bryan will reach out to the crowd to sing along with him and in this case it sounds awesome! The band ends the set with a nice guitar bridge that says "Thank You Good Night"15) Walking After Midnight
16) I Fought the Law - Maybe not what you would expect in the encore set, these are going to be wonderful. It's a nice change of pace to hear this stuff. They both are short and sweet and this is what I like in an encore as well.17) Into the Fire - It's an acoustic version. I might have preferred to hear the intense rock version - but again - great change of pace and something different.All in all - a must have for all Adams and even non Adams fans."

Nice, gritty "greatest hits live"

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 06/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not really a big fan of Canadian rock n' roller Bryan Adams....he was a huge star when I was a teenager in the 80s and early 90s, but I didn't get around to actually buying any of his albums until 1991's "Waking Up The Neighbours". And that one was a little bit too slick and sweet for me.



But then I head this 1988 live album, and while I don't take it out and play it every week (or every month) anymore, I still like it a lot.

It's grittier than most of his later output, featuring the majority of his mid-80s hits as well as a few rarities. The sound is good, but not quite excellent, and a few songs sound a bit ragged, but "Live! Live! Live!" is a really good representation of a late-80s Bryan Adams concert. It mixes ballads with hard rock, and throws in a few covers, most notably a driving rendition of "I Fought The Law".

And there a plenty of highlights: "Run To You", the melodic "One Night Love Affair", a terrific "Cuts Like A Knife", the inevitable "Summer Of '69", and several more. In fact, an amazing nine out of ten songs from Adams' classic 1984 album "Reckless" are here.



Bryan Adams had a knack for writing melodic hard rock with lots of hooks, and while some critics got their kicks referring to him as "the poor man's Bruce Springsteen", Adams' music really isn't that similar to Springsteens. They both wore jeans and a T-shirt, though.



Anyway. This fine live album should appeal to fans and casual listeners alike. It's not great art...just a good, solid 80s rock n' roll record. And that's not half bad."

Great live album

J. FELLA | Albany, Or United States | 07/25/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Alot of times people arent as good live, and some people just plain [stink] live, but Bryan definately ISNT one of those people. I've seen him live and he's simply electric. I think this CD captures that energy quite well and is full of great songs. What makes it even better is that it was professionally recorded and it shows; the instruments and vocals are all balanced and "panned" just like a real album for the most part, so you don't get that jumble of drums/guitar/vocals overlapping each other like some live albums. The only reason I dont give it 5 stars is that a couple of songs on it (cover tunes) just werent up to snuff. "Walking After Midnight" and "I Fought The Law" are ok songs but just took away from the albums overall coolness. In the end its a great album (Even though it only covers up to Into The Fire) so if you like his older stuff you WILL like this album, I guarantee."