We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago….this week concentrating on live albums…..
Forever known as “the backpack album” Rare Earth released an excellent double LPof concert performances recorded in Florid and New York.
The album featured extended versions of many of their hits including “Hey, Big Brother”, “What’d I Say,” “I Know I’m Losing You” and “Get Ready” which took up a whole side of one of the records. It clocks in at 23:33 although the unedited version of the performance lasted close to an hour.
Born To Wander and I Just Want To Celebrate are here in shorter performances. It also includes a new song called “Nice To Be With You” recorded in the studio.
Every rock band would eventually release a double, live album in the 70’s. It, along with greatest hits LPs were the way you would keep the band in the public eye while they worked on new material.
This is a good example of the genre and the band stretches out to good effect giving Gil Bridges (woodwinds and flute), Mark Olson (keyboards) and Ray Monette (guitars) a chance to show their chops. Pete Rivera (aka Hoorebelke) drums and sings in fine voice.
There is also a somewhat humorous bit where some official wants to shut the show down. The band sounds a bit high as they respond. Lol.
Anyway, fire up the lava lamp and some incense, find some Toledo Windowbox (Carlin joke) and spend an hour or so with one of the finest jam bands in the land.
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