Live In Hamburg CD reviews |
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“The
Pickets have been at it a while, but judging from this very well-produced
live album, they show no signs of stopping anytime soon. Ever
hip, handsome and cheeky, they keep you dancing with their covers
of of pop tunes - Backstreet Boys' "I Want it That Way"
has a much more, mature, warm sound than the original and makes
you forget that it's not the Pickets' song! But they do this with
all the covers on this album - they sing them like only they can,
and make them their own. Regardless of the small amount of applause
(and the occasional introduction in German), you forget that it's
a live album much of the time - it's that good. "Let Me Entertain
You" is a rocking anthem that pretty much sums up what these
guys are all about. Unexpected Sting cover "Moon Over Bourbon
Street" is a sexy jazz departure; Stevie Wonder's "As"
is done with lots of soul and spot-on harmonies. The Pickets show
that they can shake things up as well, with Ricky Martin's "Livin'
la Vida Loca." The album closes with their signature song,
"Only You." This one is a definite must-have for any
Pickets fan's collection.(60:00 2003) “
(From Mainely Acappella review)
“I love
this album because it's a live album. I hate this album because
it's a live album. (…) Because this is a concert (with the
cheering from the crowds at inconvenient times, and the conversations
that only those present cared about), there aren't a lot of studio
enhancements. I want a studio album from this group. That album
is going to be O.O.C./O.T.C. -- out of control and off the chain.
Because…
I love their
sound. Even the occasional missteps that happen in a live recording…I
couldn't help but think, "This is THE FLYING PICKETS!".
They demand that kind of respect because they are that good. There
is an energy in their performances which resonates through the
speakers. Without the aid of studio enhancements, they are going
to put on a damn good show (…) a show you will not forget.
I love their
originals. Guilty is simply a great song. There is a
bit of pop cheese, but the song is solid in musicianship and arrangement
and holds up to repeat listening.
I love their
soloists. (Hate the fact that the liner notes don't tell you who
is singing what part, nor who is featured on what song). Whoever's
singing lead is fantastic on Billie Jean, Guilty, Moon Over
Burbon Street, and As. But all of the tracks feature
excellent soloists, infused with this vitality and character that
has me in the palm of their hands. None of them simply sing, they
perform. Hell, not to get too new age-y, a couple of times they
become the songs. A spark touched me with each track.
You should buy the album if for no other reason than the fact
that I love Only You. And if you have to ask why, you
haven't been listening to pop a cappella for the last twenty years.”
(Thomas King, Recorded Acappella Review Board www.rarb.org)
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