Search - The Jam :: Dig the New Breed

Consider Them Dug!

randymix | Albuquerque, New Mexico United States | 07/11/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Jam were one of England's best contributions to the late-seventies, early-eighties New Wave. Their melding of punk and the American soul music found on labels like Stax and Motown made for some very memorable music. And "Dig The New Breed" captures all of the bristling, hard-charging energy that was the Jam, live. "Dig The New Breed" also serves as a pretty good career summary. The recordings range from the band's beginning in 1977 through their final tour--as UK superstars--in 1982, and have the pasted-together feel of a collage. And it works beautifully. Any great live album should offer-up definitive renditions of studio material, an inspired cover or two, and give a strong sense of what the band was like onstage. And "Dig" succeeds on all counts. Almost to a song, the versions on "Dig" surpass their studio counterparts--the unfortunate exception being "Going Underground". As an example, "Private Hell" throbs and quakes with an intensity totally lacking in its studio incarnation. As does "In The City". And "Dreams Of Children". And "All Mod Cons". And "Standards". And then there's the cover of Eddie Floyd's Otis Redding-tribute, "Big Bird". Re-made in typical Jam fashion, the song just burns. It's the Jam at their rousing, raucous best. And lest I forget, "Dig The New Breed" carries an immediacy rare in live albums. There is nothing between you and the beautiful noise Messrs. Weller, Foxton and Buckler are making. One listen and you'll know why I consider never seeing the Jam as one of my life's true regrets. Perhaps what I like best about this album is that is doesn't take the safe, color-by-numbers approach and simply offer the band's greatest hits played in front of an audience. Sure, "Going Underground" and "That's Entertainment" and "In The City" are all here, but so are lesser-known, but equally-worthy album tracks. It is a refreshing--and illuminating--change.For beginner or I've-got-some-but-want-more fans, "Dig The New Breed" is guaranteed to please. To my mind, it ranks with "Otis Redding Live In Europe" or Van Morrison's "It's Too Late To Stop Now" as one of the all-time great live albums."

The Jam's Greatest Album!

R. Berrington | 04/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a casual fan of the Jam until this album came out back in 1982. The studio efforts I had heard up to that point were good but seemed to lack that special spark that would make them great. This album doesn't have a spark, its on fire! The Jam are one of the few bands that sound so much better live, they seem to feed of the audience and let go of any inhibitions or restraints they seem to have in the studio. The three song set from The Hammersmith Palais: Start, Big Bird and Set the House Ablaze build on each other at a fiery tempo you think is impossible to maintain but they do it. Paul Weller's breathless acoustic version of That's Entertainment is the best ever of that great song. This is one of my all time favorite albums and I am so glad it is available again on CD."

Thanks For A Lot Of Good Memories..For The Fans

Original Mixed Up-Kid | New York United States | 02/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Seeing the Jam many times throughout their life in New York it was quite a disappointment when this highly emotional heartfelt band of UK individualists broke up.

Coming at it's wake was this album of live cuts giving a total picture of a band performance creating a live atmosphere of a Jam gig.



1982 was the year of release and with performances ranging from 1977 this CD culled great performances from locations throughout

their run.

The tracks/set list here comprises 14 songs giving a good sampling of their evolution from the fast and furious guitar attack of it's earlier days to their later r&b infected days sandwiched within the serious sincerity of play as the latter day torch bearers of the earlier generation of bands such as the Faces,Who and Kinks.."