Search - Head East :: Live on Stage

Incomplete, but still great rock!

eveoflove | North York, Ontario Canada | 01/07/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD presents 10 of the 17 tracks issued back in 1979 on the "Live!" double album; that's sad, considering the original album on vinyl (A&M SP-6007) clocks in at 74 minutes, so Universal could have released it in its entirety. "Live!" was HEAD EAST's 5th offering, recorded during the "Head East" tour (their 4th album) across the USA, and features Dan Birney, Roger Boyd, Steven Huston, John Schlitt and Michael Somerville, plus Stan Gill (keyboards) as a guest. The recording quality is alright, and the performance is honest. Not a spectacular album, but good footstompin' rock! As the band themselves said, "Get Up And Enjoy Yourself"!"

Head East Rocks!!

gregga99@hotmail.com | Grand Rapids, Michigan | 10/29/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having owned every Head East recording, this is is a nice addition, at a great price!! Nice to hear John Schlitt at his best. I would have selected some different songs. I would have dropped "Take a Hand" and added the keyboard work of Roger Boyd on "Jefftown Creek". I really can't complain about the songs overall. I think its a must CD for any Head East fan."

Why We Are Only Getting Half an Album

Richard Thompson | El Paso, Texas | 05/20/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am a modest Head East fan. I only own the Flat As A Pancake cd and the Millenium series disc. I'm writing this review because I find all the comments about this Live disc amusing. "Why only half an album?" "What's with the wrong sequencing of songs?" "Legal issues?"!



For one thing, this kind of stuff has nothing to do with The Band. So don't get mad at them or accuse them of being greedy (like alot of Kansas fans think). This has everything to do with the record company, A&M Records, simply doing a quick money-grab for your (the fans) wallet. They know people have been wanting this 1979 Live set to be released on cd for years. So, what do they do? Release an edited version of poor quality that was obviuosly "thrown together" on one disc at a low price to entice people to purchase it.



Some people probably thought it was the complete show until they played it and began to wonder "What happened to the rest of the show?"



This reminds me of Tesla's Live cd. There are none other than four different versions: the complete 20 song, 2-disc version on Sanctuary Records; two "Extended Versions" on one disc (10 songs) on "Collectables" and BMG Special Products; and another called Standing Room Only containing 13 tracks.



The record companies justify the single disc versions as a "lower-priced" alternative to reach younger fans. At least there are all these choices. A&M Records chose to offer up only one choice until nobody is purchasing that version anymore, and then they will release a complete version and take even more of your money at a later date. Just stand by and watch.



I'm going to wait."