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jbwelda
I ordered this a couple weeks ago (four CD compilation of live recordings for those who may not know), and have been playing it on and off since I got it. This probably isn't news to a lot of people, but as an only sometime fan of the band, I was really REALLY impressed by this set.
For one thing, the cover songs...f'in ROCK! Cover some really great stuff too: Something In the Air (I forget who did this, but I always associate it with Pete Townsend), Green Onions (sounds like Booker T and the MGs to the note), their version of I'm a Man echoing the Yardbirds at their most crucial, Mystic Eyes (another scorcher), Fleetwood Mac's Oh Well, the title song from the James Bond film Goldfinger, the Grateful Dead's Friend of the Devil (surprisingly well delivered and recorded in San Francisco, deadheads present must have gone wild) and I probably missed some in there. All of these tracks approach or exceed the originals in pure excitement and musicianship. I thought they all were surprisingly outstanding.
Then there is the idea that over the course of 4 disks, each with over 60 minutes on them, there is nary a repeated song. If only the Stones could do that with their endless live releases. And all the hits and the lesser hits are here and in very good nick, I almost think better performances than original recordings. And even though they are taken from different shows at different venues (possibly different band personnel?), they are all mixed in a manner that makes it a pretty seamless listening experience.
What this all showed me, again not a particularly big fan of Tom Petty, was what a great and versatile musician he was, and what a rocking band he had assembled and maintained through the years. I had totally underrated him after hearing a lot of his more mainstream hits, good as they were, but I mostly dismissed them along with a lot of commercial music in those days. Serious mistake that I am glad to be rectifying here and now.
If anyone has any interest in this artist and doesn't have this set (or the coveted 7 or 8 disk vinyl set) my advice is to pick one up right away. The "normal" 4 cd version goes for only around 25 USD on ebay, thats what I paid for mine including shipping. As for myself I just pre-ordered the super deluxe version of Wildflowers on the strength of what I hear here.
jb
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Paulhanrahan
It's certainly brilliant. I feel very fortunate to have a mint copy as well signed by the man himself.
Quote
jbwelda
I ordered this a couple weeks ago (four CD compilation of live recordings for those who may not know), and have been playing it on and off since I got it. This probably isn't news to a lot of people, but as an only sometime fan of the band, I was really REALLY impressed by this set.
For one thing, the cover songs...f'in ROCK! Cover some really great stuff too: Something In the Air (I forget who did this, but I always associate it with Pete Townsend), Green Onions (sounds like Booker T and the MGs to the note), their version of I'm a Man echoing the Yardbirds at their most crucial, Mystic Eyes (another scorcher), Fleetwood Mac's Oh Well, the title song from the James Bond film Goldfinger, the Grateful Dead's Friend of the Devil (surprisingly well delivered and recorded in San Francisco, deadheads present must have gone wild) and I probably missed some in there. All of these tracks approach or exceed the originals in pure excitement and musicianship. I thought they all were surprisingly outstanding.
Then there is the idea that over the course of 4 disks, each with over 60 minutes on them, there is nary a repeated song. If only the Stones could do that with their endless live releases. And all the hits and the lesser hits are here and in very good nick, I almost think better performances than original recordings. And even though they are taken from different shows at different venues (possibly different band personnel?), they are all mixed in a manner that makes it a pretty seamless listening experience.
What this all showed me, again not a particularly big fan of Tom Petty, was what a great and versatile musician he was, and what a rocking band he had assembled and maintained through the years. I had totally underrated him after hearing a lot of his more mainstream hits, good as they were, but I mostly dismissed them along with a lot of commercial music in those days. Serious mistake that I am glad to be rectifying here and now.
If anyone has any interest in this artist and doesn't have this set (or the coveted 7 or 8 disk vinyl set) my advice is to pick one up right away. The "normal" 4 cd version goes for only around 25 USD on ebay, thats what I paid for mine including shipping. As for myself I just pre-ordered the super deluxe version of Wildflowers on the strength of what I hear here.
jb
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Paulhanrahan
It's certainly brilliant. I feel very fortunate to have a mint copy as well signed by the man himself.
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LSTNT
The 4 cd box set American Treasure is also a great set to have.
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crholmstromQuote
LSTNT
The 4 cd box set American Treasure is also a great set to have.
As is "Wildflowers & All the Rest". Listening now. It's awesome!