Reissue of glam rockers concert recording at London's Rainbow Theatre.14 tracks including 'Ballroom Blitz' and a 'Rock and Roll Medley' (Keep on Knockin, Shakin All Over, Lucille, Great Balls of Fire, Reelin' and Rockin',... more » Peppermint Twist and Shout). Standard jewel case.« less
Reissue of glam rockers concert recording at London's Rainbow Theatre.14 tracks including 'Ballroom Blitz' and a 'Rock and Roll Medley' (Keep on Knockin, Shakin All Over, Lucille, Great Balls of Fire, Reelin' and Rockin', Peppermint Twist and Shout). Standard jewel case.
CD Reviews
Great performance.Less than perfect recording.
Philip A.Cohen | Bay Harbor Islands, Florida United States | 02/17/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Some fans who have this disc may wonder why the disc is in somewhat gritty mono sound,even though some of the songs appeared in full-fidelity stereo on the album "Strung Up".It can be explained.Two recordings were made of this show:a multitrack recording and a mono soundboard tape.Unfortunately,the snare drum never made it onto the multitrack,forcing drummer(the late) Mick Tucker to dub in a newly performed snare drum in the studio...but only for the songs that the group was planning to release.For the other songs,the only tape with the snare drum is the mono soundboard tape.Some previous reissues(such as the one on the DOJO label) combined the available stereo tracks with the rest in mono.This release is entirely from the mono soundboard tape,hence it is totally free of studio overdubbing and doctoring.It is what the audience heard at the show."
Sweet-"Live from London 1973"
Paul S. Bookey | Los Angeles | 11/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album,is "Sweet" at their best,all the way from "Little Willy" to their soon to be released "Teenage rampage".It includes their only number one hit,"Blockbuster" and includes the song that has since become their anthem,the classy chinn-chapman compilation,"The Ballroom Blitz".It is unlike any other live album,because the songs sound almost the same as the studio.Moreso it shows the group at their personal best!!!!"
The Real Deal
Daniel J. Cohen | Mount Eliza, Victoria Australia | 01/05/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've bought numerous versions of this cd over the years from an expensive bootleg to other version all released here in Australia as legitimate budget releases, but this is the real McCoy, full concert and good sound quality much better than the other versions that i have bought. This is great concert and this in my top 10 live albums. The Sweet were one of the most underated bands of the 70's, it's shame that they are really only known for their singles as they bought out some great albums."
The best sweet album ever!
J. Carpenter | Sierra Madre, CA United States | 10/20/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sweet's studio work is impressive but always had a contrived feel of pandering for the larger pop audience. Live at the Rainbow is a lesson in history as the album captures the essence of the band playing as a group with an interest in musicianship, breaking away from the pop pandering mold with amazing solos and a good showing of their true nature of wanting to be a rock heavy weight. I highly recommend this album for any sweet fan that wants to feel their gritty nature only hinted at in their studio work."
Very Sweet, Indeed
Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 04/19/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Portions of the show had been released on the 1975 double-album, Strung Up (initially not available in he U.S.), which went under several different titles depending upon the country where it was marketed.
This 2-CD set is the complete December 12, 1973, show at the Rainbow Theatre and is not "tweaked" through studio overdubs; listeners hear the concert as it was performed by the band. Two numbers which became signature pieces - the hilarious pop of Little Willy and power arena rocker Ballroom Blitz - are outstanding, with Blockbuster and Teenage Rampage close behind for top laurels.
Minus a studio "wall-of-sound," Sweet was a solid - and underrated - rock band. This concert captures the energy while performing in front of an enthusiastic and knowledgeable audience.
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1