Don_Krider Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Another fine, 5-Star review of Raspberries "Live On Sunset Strip" at Goldmine magazine: http://www.goldminemag.com/Default.aspx?...72#4972Articles :-----------------------------------Goldmine Extra Review: The Raspberries — Live on Sunset StripPeter LindbladThe Raspberries Live on Sunset StripRyko (RCD 10879) Grade: ***** A 33-year absence made hearts grow fonder for the Raspberries. In 2005, the band that practically drew up the blueprints for power-pop — along with Big Star, of course — and influenced everybody from KISS to Cheap Trick to Teenage Fanclub to Joan Jett and Bruce Springsteen reunited for a brief series of shows, a VH-1 special and a concert broadcast on XM Satellite Radio, and what a welcome return to form it was. Channeling Beach Boys' harmonies and the '60s British Invasion guitar rock of the Who and the Hollies through a colorful prism of classic pop, the Raspberries were critics' darlings and scored a string of hits in the '70s, before an acrimonious split in 1975. From the initial splash of their debut record in 1972, which birthed the tear-stained balled "Don't Want to Say Goodbye" and the fan favorite "Go All The Way," through 1974's Starting Over, the Raspberries produced bittersweet, seamless pop-rock with just enough bite to draw blood. There was heartache in their gorgeous vocal harmonies and hooks that proved irresistible even to tin ears. Over the years, the Raspberries' legend grew, and calls for a return grew louder. Answering the bell, the Raspberries' original lineup of guitarist/keyboardist Eric Carmen, drummer Jim Bonfanti, guitarist Wally Bryson and bassist Dave Smalley put aside past differences and rocked the House of Blues on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip on Oct. 21, 2005, with an energetic, raucous performance that was captured by producer and Grammy-winning engineer Mark Linett. And now, those who weren't there can experience it for themselves with Rykodisc's Live on Sunset Strip. Available in two versions — a deluxe digipak with 21 tracks spread across two CDS, plus a bonus five-song DVD, and a 13-song CD of the band's best-known songs — Live on Sunset Strip shows time hasn't rusted the Raspberries' chops. "I Wanna Be With You," with its chiming guitars and tender verses, kicks off the set with "snap, crackle, pop" drumming and '50s-style vocal harmonizing, and it's followed by a tough, sharp cover of the Who's "Can't Explain." Later, the Raspberries play a flawless version of "Needles And Pins" that rings so true it sounds like their own creation. Getting back to Raspberries' originals, the band launches headlong into the swaggering rocker "Play On" and a rollicking version of "Tonight," with Bryson spinning off barbed snarls of slightly distorted guitar that leave the crowd chanting his name. The touching, country-rock swing of "Should I Wait" folds heartache into the jangle-pop of the Byrds, and "Let's Pretend" swoons so perfectly it magnetically draws lovers together. A highlight of Disc 2, obviously, is "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)," with Carmen at the piano, pounding it and suavely massaging the ivories to fit his mood. Other gems include Carmen's "love letter to the Who," a scorching hot "I Don't Know What I Want," and the spirited closer "Go All The Way," still a marvel of pop construction that aches with sexual desperation and longing. Hopefully, the Raspberries won't stop here. -------------------------------------Don Krider http://www.epinions.com/content_393207123588 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Wow! 5-STARS! You can't do better than that!Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Krider Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 What struck me in both this review and the Crawdaddy magazine review --- http://www.ericcarmen.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003377 --- was the praise that Dave Smalley's "Should I Wait" gets from both reviewers. I'm glad writers are starting to note what a great song that is, especially as done on "Live On Sunset Strip."Don Krider http://www.backstreets.com/news.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 "Should I Wait" was the 1st song from the disc that grabbed me right away. A few months back I think that Eric posted about how happy he was with the final mix of this song.Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspyrock Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 SIDE 2 of SIDE 3: GEMS AHOY!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Krider Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 SIDE 2 of SIDE 3: GEMS AHOY!! When the guys tour again, hopefully they'll do the beach medley of "Drivin' Around"/"Cruisin' Music"/"On The Beach" (when I think summer music, I think The Beach Boys and Raspberries) --- of the "gems" (great term, Raspbyrock!) on side 2 of "Side 3" (try explaining the flipside of an LP to today's kids) my favorite will always be "On The Beach", which is Eric Carmen at his very best in my book (and would have made a cool video, too). Love that chorus!Don Krider http://www.epinions.com/content_393207123588 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raspberrywine Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 awesome, great to see all these publications giving attention to the band. Shows how well thought of they are- which is a separate issue from this particular release. Pretty darn cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sterling Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 I would agree with Don on that one:"my favorite will always be "On the Beach", which is Eric Carmen at this very best in my book(and would have made a cool video, too). Love that chorus!"The chorus is just fantastic and the rest of the song isn't too bad. Even the seagulls in the background!!Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Quote:Originally posted by Don_Krider:of the "gems" (great term, Raspbyrock!) on side 2 of "Side 3" (try explaining the flipside of an LP to today's kids) my favorite will always be "On The Beach", which is Eric Carmen at his very best in my book (and would have made a cool video, too). Love that chorus!Don Krider Don isn't "On the Beach" on Side 1 of "Side 3"?Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Krider Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 Originally posted by Don_Krider:of the "gems" (great term, Raspbyrock!) on side 2 of "Side 3" (try explaining the flipside of an LP to today's kids) my favorite will always be "On The Beach", which is Eric Carmen at his very best in my book (and would have made a cool video, too). Love that chorus!Don Krider Don isn't "On the Beach" on Side 1 of "Side 3"?Marv You're right, Marvin. I hadn't listened to the vinyl LP in a long time, but "Ecstasy" is the third track on side 2, while "On The Beach" is on side 1, all on "Side 3" (which is confusing, when you think about it).Thanks for catching that.Don Krider Having a "senior moment" at age 50... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollies65 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 One thing I love is the reviewer mentioning The Raspberries channeling British bands including the Hollies...I certainly hear it...in fact I'm the guy who edited the Wikapedia page to include them as listed influences. BTW I've read Goldmine for over 25 years...it is a great magazine as was 'discoveries' it's sister magazine which recently ceased publication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seattlesteve Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Goldmine's review was very articulate and it's clear the author gets it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadfingerBarb Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Wow! 5-STARS! You can't do better than that!Bernie Sure you can; 6-STARS!(shades of Spinal Tap) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trindy Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Great review, but I wish reviewers who didn't know better would stop spreading the myth that any of the concerts ever was aired on XM. I should know, because it's part of the reason I became an XM subscriber...and it never, never happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 WHAT A FABULOUS REVIEW!!! Thanks for posting it. Goldmine is right on! FIVE STARS!!!! The descriptions are superb! Things are *definitely* going in the right direction!!! --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steeler Deb Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Five Stars!!!! This is a great review!I agree with you Marvin. Should I Wait really got my attention. I think I have a new favorite Eric song!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 PA Steeler, "Should I Wait" is Dave's song.Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Krider Posted August 2, 2007 Author Share Posted August 2, 2007 Five Stars!!!! This is a great review!I agree with you Marvin. Should I Wait really got my attention. I think I have a new favorite Eric song!!! You do know that's Dave Smalley singing "Should I Wait," a song that Dave wrote, right? No offense, it's just not an "Eric song."Don Krider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Krider Posted August 2, 2007 Author Share Posted August 2, 2007 Wasn't Dave a lead singer before the Raspberries? He sang lead on The Choir's 1967 hit "It's Cold Outside" (with future Raspberries bandmates Wally Bryson and Jim Bonfanti also in that band). Then he went to Vietnam for a tour with the U. S. Army before returning home to join Wally, Jim and Eric in Raspberries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspyrock Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Wasn't Dave a lead singer before the Raspberries? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Dave has a great voice as seen on the extras we got for buying the limited/special edition sets. I especially liked Goin Nowhere Tonight - I wish they had put that by itself I think they all have beautiful voices and fantastic harmonies together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Lest we forget John Alekcsic's time as one of the singers in the band.Marv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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