Search - Creedence Clearwater Revival :: Live in Europe

Dreadful!

C. Capelle | Wilton, CT United States | 01/17/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Released a year after the disbanding of CCR, this "album" is hardly worth anything other than a historical record of the band's only "live" recordings as a trio. (Tom Fogerty had bailed in early 1971 for a solo "career.")



A blatant attempt to cash in on their now-defunct cash cow, Fantasy kept on repacking the hits in various forms - including this live album from the 1971 European tour. Rumors say that this is actually a rehearsal tape with audience applause dubbed in - and if you listen closely with headphones, it does seem that way. You can almost see the hand on the fader turning up the volume of the "audience" at the end of Bad Moon Rising - and other songs have equally egregious mixing. Not since 1966's "Got Live If You Want It" by The Rolling Stones has there been such a phony live album.



Originally released as a 2-LP set (with Keep On Chooglin' as an entire side!!?!), the CD re-release had lopped off Sweet Hitchhiker (the band's last top-ten hit) and its flip, Door To Door (no great loss, as the in-concert version is no better or worse than its studio counterpart), these two tunes have been restored as part of the six-CD box CCR set.



The music? Without the competent rhythm guitar of departed brother Tom, the sound is obviously thinner than previous tours (listen to "The Concert" for proof) and the song selection had to be geared towards a trio (meaning no Down On The Corner or Lookin' Out My Back Door).



Bottom line - totally unnecessary, unless you're a CCR fanatic. Otherwise, stick with the first six studio albums.

"

Yeah, it's not their best, but...

E. Schreiber | Oregon Coast | 05/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"this is a great testament of the energy that CCR had on stage until the very end. Unfortunately, the concert starts out with a rather routine performance of Born on the Bayou, which may dampen listener enthusiasm initially. After that the band starts to really roll, starting with Green River/Suzie Q, peaking with Traveling Band and Fortunate Son, and very enjoyable versions of Lodi, Bad Moon Rising and Proud Mary. I really appreciate that the three players seem to be enjoying the performance. The sound is slightly muddled, which gives the disk a "garage-band sound"...it sounds a little bit like you are listening from just off-stage at the show.



Others have commented that this may include crowd sounds edited in. I don't know about that, but the crowd certaining seems realistic and the performance is no doubt from the tour.



Definately worth 5-10 bucks for the great songs and energetic showmanship."

Rhythm guitar ?

Garry Daniel | Knoxville, TN United States | 10/05/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I read a couple of the reviews that accuse Fantasy of "faking" the live aspect of this album by dubbing in the audience. I've never noticed that, and I've had this album since 1973, when it was first released on vinyl.

Granted, the Cd version does short change the listener by leaving off a couple of songs, but that is easily remedied by purchasing the vinyl copy

if you can find one. The thing I want to say about the album and the tour from which it came is, why couldn't Creedence replace Tom and his rhythm guitar for at leat the duration of the tour? Creedence always had an uncomplicated sound to begin with, and the absence of a second guitar does reveal the simplicity of their sound so why not pull in a player for the tour.

But, I am speaking of 1971, and not 2006 where it is considered the norm for artists to drag along seven extras to replicate their sound on stage.

Witness the Eagles and their recent tours, to understand my meaning.

Perhaps J.F. wanted to keep Creedence simple, and, perhaps, keep more of the profits. Who knows? All I'm saying is CCR would have benefited from an extra guitar on stage after Tom's departure. It could also have afforded John the opportunity to perform some of CCR's more recent keyboard oriented songs. Oh well, it's a good album and probably done "really" live.

It's a good album and a fine documentary of CCR's final days as a working band."