False tracklisting!
Bo Andersson | Stockholm Sweden | 07/25/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Chase the dragon is a great album, and when this CD was rereleased i rushed to the store to get it. Unfortunately, all the extra tracks have been released before and some of the tracks labeled as "live tracks" are not even live! A real Magnum fan already owns all of these tracks. Ok, the CD is remastered, but don't expect to get any tracks not previously released. Back to earth, Hold back your love and Long days black nights are the same studio versions as on the "Vintage Magnum" album and Soldier of the line and Sacred hour are the same live versions as found on the "Invasion - Live" record. Really lousy by the record company to label the tracks as live even on the CD cover when they are studio versions! On to the review: the extra tracks are great, the record is great but if you already own the records mentioned above, don't bother to buy this album unless you really want the remastered versions. If you don't own it and like Magnum, this CD is a must have. Lots of classic tracks!"
AWESOME!! From an American fan.
Dawn Barela | Albuquerque, New Mexico United States | 03/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just LOVE this CD!!! I wish I had found this band when this album came out in 1982. I think that it probably would have been on my constant playlist since then. I have been a MAJOR fan of this band for about the last 5-6 years. Better late than never! I wish that they had broken through BIG in the US back in the 80's. They really should have. This package with bonus tracks is AMAZING!!! It actually is a single disc with 16 tracks-not 2 discs like the listing says. I absolutely ADORE this set.It is definitely ranked as one of my favorite Magnum cd's, Along with On A Storyteller's Night!(See my review for this album.)Bob Catley's voice is so captivating. I just love his voice, the range of emotion that he can capture is beyond compare. (He can sing anything and make it sound good!!) One inspiring example is the Original version of The Lights Burned Out. This is a more acoustic sounding version that the one that actually ended up on the album. So is Sacred Hour, which is a song about the feeling between the audience and band during the concert performances. Tony Clarkin is a fantastic songwriter. The two of them together make an incredible team. This is the first album of Magnum's to feature AWESOME keyboardist Mark Stanway, who is one of the best hard rock keyboardists ever!!! (The only other ones that come to mind are Don Airey-from Rainbow and currently Deep Purple, And the legendary Jon Lord-Deep Purple and Whitesnake.) I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the Medieval/Renaissance inspired solo in The Spirit. This is one of my all-time favorite Magnum songs, especially because of Mark's solo here. As well as the extended intro to Sacred Hour which really shows Mr. Stanway's amazing talent.(He was 25 or 26 when this album was recorded.) I love that they included Back To Earth and Hold Back Your Love which were originally released as a single. These are all awesome songs!! It is fun to compare the studio and live versions of Sacred Hour, The Spirit, and Soldier Of The Line. (As well as the Acoustic version of Soldier Of The Line which was originally released on the Keeping The Nite Light Burning cd.) I highly recommend this album to all fans of Classic Rock."