Search - Jack Bruce :: Bird Alone

Nice for Jack Fanatics: Beware Re-Issues!

Eric M. Van | Watertown, MA USA | 11/12/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is the third time around for this concert recording: it was earlier released (truncated to a single CD) as Concert Classics, and then (in the same form) as Doing This.... On Ice.



All three versions have an incorrect running order at the end: "Escape to the Royal Wood (On Ice") is actually "Morning Story," while "Morning Story" is actually "Tightrope" (not recorded in the studio until years later, on Monkjack). The first two versions start the latter track 30 seconds into the song; I'm not going to shell out the bucks to see if this version repeats that mistake!



To my ears, this is the least essential of the Bruce live albums, but if you're a Jack fanatic it's certainly worth picking up."

Amazed or confused?

Cen (of Barbi & Cen) | where pigs fly, USA | 11/09/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"A caveat... I am a very compulsive consumer, often without the patience for research.

This 2 disc package is a disappointment. Its title refers to the last song on disc 2, an homage to Charllie Parker. As there was no descriptors on this posting I assumed the album was Bruce alone. On i-tunes, it's listed as "Jack Bruce and Friends". The only info listed are the song list and "Live November 20, 1980 Denver". and that, 3 times!: on the back and twice on the insert. The production quality is mediocre, even for 1980 live recording standards.



Having said that the performance is great. Even the Cream songs sound fresh. As with other live performances (grab his DVD's, you won't be disappointed), he gathers around him talented and challenging musicians capable of keeping up with him.



For those unfamiliar with his post Cream work, he continues to grow and develop in his composition, his singing and his playing. He didn't stop with Cream."