Post by rtbuck on Oct 29, 2007 8:27:13 GMT -5
Raspberries - Live On Sunset Strip
Label: Rykodisc
review by Bucky
The first thing I noticed about the new Raspberries ‘Live On the Sunset Strip’ CD, before I even listened to it was the 1st page of the booklet which was written by the Boss, Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen remembers driving to Asbury Park along with Southside Johnny in the late 70’s cranking out the Raspberries ‘Greatest Hits” & Springsteen referred to them as THE great underrated power pop masters.
‘Live On the Sunset Strip’ was recorded live on 10/25/05 at the House of Blues in L.A.. The concert features the 4 original Raspberries, Eric Carmen(guitar & keyboards), Wally Bryson(lead guitar),Dave Smalley(bass), Jim Bonfanti(drums),
along with some great back-up musicians Paul Sidoti(keyboards & guitar), Billy Sullivan(guitars, harmonica,& backing vocals), & Jennifer Lee(keyboards & backing vocals).The Raspberries rock out to 13 songs covering all of their greatest hits from the opening drum roll of their 1972 hit “I Wanna Be With You” through the final power chords of probably their greatest single of all time “Go All the Way”. One of the main highlights of the CD for me is when Eric Carmen says “This next song is my love letter to the Who…” & the band launch into the heavily “Won’t Get Fooled Again” influenced “I Don’t Know What I Want”. The whole show is filled with so much energy & emotion that listening to the CD I actually feel like I’m at the show. Jim Bonfanti holds a steady rocking backbeat as the band rocks on, to “The Party’s Over” which has an influence of Mountain meets the Allman Brothers.The tempo slows down with the beautiful pop ballad “Don’t Want To Say Goodbye” but picks right back up with “Hard To Get Over a Heartbreak”. The 1973 hit “I’m a Rocker” never sounded better as it rocks like something out of Rod Stewart’s early 70’s band,the Faces.The tune is almost 7 minutes long & features some great earsplitting guitar solos along with a bit of harmonica by Ohio’s own, Billy Sullivan. While listening to the beginning power
chords of “Go All the Way”(probably the best pop song of all time) I immediately think of the Who but I can definitely see where this tune left quite an impact on Paul Stanley of Kiss.
Overall this is a great CD packed with energy, emotion, & catchy melodies that will have you singing along (which is actually made easy as the lyrics are included in the booklet).There is also a limited edition 2 CD set featuring 21 songs & a bonus 5 song DVD available at www.amazon.com. If you’re looking for fun & good old Rock & Roll pick up this CD & you won’t be disappointed.
www.raspberriesonline.com