I never tire of this CD - From the moment I put Disc One of this two disc set on my stereo, I was hooked! This music just jumps from the speakers, I start to dance, and I crank up the volume. The mix seems to bother some people, but its recorded in a hot hall in Texas and in my mind it adds to the enjoyable flavor of the experience. I play it in the car, so I m not bothered by the sound quality, which, really doesn t bother me too much anyway. The songs, the lyrics, the band giving it their all...I sing along every time! Now if you want issues with sound, my sung versions of these songs are a real problem.
one of the best live recordings I ve heard - an honest & accurate variety of songs that spans their 10+ year career. maybe ppl who don t like the selection of songs prefers one old 97 s style to another -- there are a few. some songs are more country twang-ish, while others are more mainstream and poppish. greatest attribute of this CD: next to no audience noise. greatest attribute of old 97 s: they are AMAZING live.-K
Weak Recording - Let s set up a hypothetical: You (the reader) and I (the reviewer) are sitting in some hip café talking about the greatest rock shows we ve ever attended. You lay out your faves and I list mine. I say, the Old 97 s are definitely in my top three or four-I saw them a few years back in Portland, and they were just a great f***ing live band. You say: Really? Do they have any live recordings? And this is where my case gets weak.On their eighth (counting the compilation Early Tracks that Bloodshot released in 2000), and first fully live album, the Old 97 s serve up a two disc set recorded on two nights in the summer of 2005 in Gruene, Texas. Turns out, it s a perfect example of why they re such a fantastic live band-and why it ll never work to record their shows. In a telling moment of liner note honesty, 97 s lead guitarist Ken Bethea admits, I love that we don t really know how the songs end. I love that we don t rehearse. I love diving into solos head first with no idea of where I m going and, if I crash and burn, snickering at the outcome and moving on. It s true. It is indeed the 97 s spontaneity that makes their shows so great to be a part of. It s also a recipe for disaster. The shame of the matter is that the two nights that comprise this two disc set have failed to capture the sound and the glory of the Old 97 s balls-to-the-wall ability to really crank out a solid line of damn good songs. Is it the mix? Were they having off nights? So excited about the two-disc set they were recording that they went too far? I m not sure-perhaps it was some form of each of these. In defense of the performances (independent of their recording), the audience seemed to love them.The first real clue that the project hasn t met its potential shows up three tracks in. Barrier Reef was originally released on Too Far to Care, but shows up as a live radio appearance on the bonus disc of Satellite Rides. The Satellite Rides version is (in the not-so-humble opinion of this reviewer) one of the best rock songs ever laid down. On Alive & Wired, the song falls far short. The question then: Why release another, obviously lesser, version? Well, it s always an odd situation when a band covers itself poorly-and that is what the Old 97 s have done here. Mostly.That said, there are tracks here that come close to surpassing other previously recorded versions. Examples: the vintage Four Leaf Clover, Lonely Holiday, and certainly the recording of Stoned presented here is also of note. While I can t say that the latter is better than the studio version found on the band s debut, Hitchhike to Rhome, the presentation on Alive & Wired is aptly served by Rhett Miller s dogged live voice. Miller, the lead singer, primary songwriter, and the true driving force behind the 97 s, is his usual exuberant self here-especially on the second night/disc. His lyrics and subsequent delivery of them has always been the cornerstone of the band s sound, and in that regard, the songs remain intact. His opening lyric for Stoned is well suited for the disjointed proceedings: Well, I must ve been stoned when this whole thing started Cause I just can t seem to think straight anymore Can t figure out where I m at Maybe Memphis, maybe MexicoStoned is an emblematic 97 s song, and fortunately, it is done justice here. It leaves me wondering, though, why it is in such a disturbing minority on Alive & Wired. Well, at least, one of the thirty songs recorded survives and shines through. I admit that my reaction to this whole mess of a live album could just be a true 97 s fan acting out the disappointment derived from overblown expectations. Or, maybe I wish I had had the opportunity to be there in Gruene Hall with all the other folks, and heard it for myself. So, like Ken Bethea and his solos, I guess I ll just snicker at the outcome and move on.
Yep. That s Them Live!! - This is one of the best live bands you will ever see. If you can t go to a show, get this CD. Boy, does this capture the essence of a live show by the boys! The mix of songs is perfect! I only wish I could have been there! (Believe me, I would have if I could have!) I *think* I understand what the reviewer was trying to say about the mix...true, Ken s guitar doesn t blow you away like it does during a live show (Ken s solo during Smokers will make you see sparks) ...but y know? This is a darned fine CD set...from Murry s HEL-lo ever-body! to the roar of applause at the end. It takes me back to their live stuff in St. Louis, Milwaukee, Texas, LA, DC, and everywhere else I ve had the good fortune to see the band. I intend to have a listening party this winter...cocktails, heavy appetizers...and introduce this band to my friends. (Yes, you re invited!) This will be the CD I use to do it. (And of course, the live DVD!)
Come On, Ken s Guitar at ear bleeding levels is a must? - I think everyone agrees that the band is a hot live act and I think this CD will be a wonderful introduction for anyone not familiar with the band. But, the mix is true to what you get live and what you get on most live albums. I hear Ken s guitar at a reasonable level throughout the CD and disagree that he should be featured. Yeah they could have bumped one or two solos up, but hey, often at a live show the soundman forgets that bump. What you get on this CD is all their best songs (sadly no Victoria), fan favorites and deep cuts played with the kind of beautiful slop that would make the Stones proud. Now if you want some sheen and an overly mixed live album then check out Frampton Comes Alive or KISS Alive II.