Amazing and very earthy live document of one of the most successful AOR bands in the world - recorded by WDR on November 10, 1979 in the Markthalle, Hamburg including several No. 1 hits and albums worldwide, gold and platinum awards - the album "Hi Infidelity" (1980) alone sold more than 10 million copies. Originally formed in 1967 and hailing from Champaign, Illinois, after a few line-up hiccups, the classic REO line-up was solidified once and for all in 1977: Kevin Cronin supplying vocals, guitar, and piano, Gary Richrath on guitar, Bruce Hall on bass, Neal Doughty on keyboards, organs, and synthesizer, and Alan Gratzer on drums.And the quintet immediately went on to issue a trio of albums (Live: You Get What You Play For, You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish, and Nine Lives) that as evidenced by their Billboard chart placings, offered clear evidence that the quintet was inching closer and closer to a massive commercial breakthrough.Recorded and filmed on November 10, 1979 in Hamburg, Germany at the Markthalle, the video and audio included on Live at Rockpalast captures REO in all their '70s hard rockin' glory, as evidenced by the inclusion of such classic tunes as "Ridin' the Storm Out" and "Roll With the Changes," plus such fan favorites as the set-opening "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight" and "Easy Money." Also included are tunes that are ripe for rediscovery, including "Heavy on Your Love," "Golden Country," and the positively awesomely-titled "The Unidentified Flying Tuna Trot."
F**O
Dreadful, dreadful quality
REO in 1979 were at their absolute peak but you'd never guess from this release. Rockpalast sets are usually (usually!) top quality (and I should know, I've got over two dozen of them) but this one really is the pits. The sound is muddy throughout with the vocals so far down in the mix they're all but inaudible. The whole thing sounds like it was recorded on a cheap cassette player. In the toilets. Next door. As another reviewer said, there are better actual bootlegs than this, way better. And don't get me started on the DVD...Do yourself a favour, don't buy this, you'll thank me!
M**L
bang average release.......
...possibly the poorest sound quality since the Molly Hatchet one released several years ago.Look at the track listing i was so looking forward to this.From the moment the 'Pink Panther' intro finishes we get a bootleg quality sound,no proper instrument separation and the vocals buried in the mix.It reminds me of one of those expensive double vinyl bootlegs you got at record fayre's back in the day!How disappointed am I ? well i havent even bothered to watch the dvd thats how much..gutted expected better.
