"The guy who said Elvin couldn't sing doesn't have an appreciation for joyous noise delivered straight from the heart. I happen to love Elvin's gritty southern-style drawlin' 'n' twangin' vocals, but if that's not enough for you, Mickey Thomas is also here, as well as the obligatory black female background singers belting out the soulful "Yes Sir's" and "halleluja's" in fine fettle.This album, predominantly recorded in California theater style venues in '76, has it all in Elvin's inimitable style of country, boogie, blues, rock, gospel, and soul, all rolled into one, complete with bold brass, funky keyboards and superb slide and blistering lead guitar, all supported by a solid rhythm section.Included in the selections is a 6+ minute Muddy Water's blues tune, "Brown Bird," masterfully rendered, and a medley including the Sam Cooke blast from the past, "A Change is Gonna Come."This is a definite MUST for Elvin lovers, and for the uninitiated, this good time rock and soul live album rates with the best of them for pure pleasure and near perfect quality.5 Stars all the way!"
Wow..!! Finally Found One Of The Best Lps I Ever Had..!!
Tim From Cincinnati | Land of Lonnie Mack | 03/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Many years ago, i had this on LP on Capricorn Records, and over the years it disappeared. I have been looking for this recording in hopes that this GREAT performance would Finally come to cd format, and it has..!!! Without a doubt, one of the finest live shows ive heard...Not only is this Just about Elvin Bishop, but his stellar first class band as well..Mickey Thomas (from the Jefferson Airplane) vocals simply soar with Elvin's guitar work. The rest of the band, are ALL top notch studio players. Buy this, and you will NOT be disappointed...Elvin was just nominated again for the 2006 Blues Music Awards (formerly known as the W.C. Handy ) for best album...Funny that we still call cds albums, and lps...but that was the category in which he was listed. Get Elvin Bishop's "Raisin Hell..Live" You'll be glad you did."
Stellar Stuff!
Buzz | Northridge, CA United States | 02/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thirty years ago this was one of my favorite albums. A week ago I ordered it from here and it's been in my dashboard ever since. It sounded great then and it sounds excellent now.
There are many highly rated live albums. What sets this apart from all the rest? It's just unabaited joyous FUN from beginning to end."
Good Ol' Time
Peter Chordas | Portland, OR USA | 02/07/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've had the good fortune of seeing Elvin Bishop live several times and the man definitely knows how to rock the house. He mixes his own style of Blues with lots of humor. His guitar playing is genuine and influenced by the Chicago Blues style. He has played in great bands like Buffalo Springfield, but he is definitely his own man. I don't care who you are, if you want to feel good, check out Elvin Bishop. His lyrics are funny and he always jokes around with the audience and his band. This live recording demonstrates a lot of that. The only reason I gave this CD a four star is because, as good as it is, I think some of his other CD's like "Ace in the Hole" are my personal favorites. Still, you really can't go wrong. Check it out!"
Better late than never...
Ryan J. Darcy | san francisco | 11/29/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is a great study not only in Elvin Bishop's song library, but in the awesome sounds which characterized the halcyon days of the early 70's. Whether it be the gratuitous Moog solos on "Rock My Soul", or the "whacka whacka geetars" of "Stealin' Watermelons", these sounds will transport you into an LA club of the early '70s. I was particularly happy with the improvement in the quality of the horn section (F.Y.I- sitting in from Tower of Power...) which were tinny on vinyl."