 List Price: $17.98
Lowest Price: $11.80 
Album Description: The Smithereens singing 18 of their greatest hit tunes live at the legendary Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ, where the band played for years prior to their first record deal. The early Court shows were instrumental in helping the band develop their signature sound, original material, and live act. This album features and showcases song selections that span the entire 28-year, 15-album career of the group, including extended and absolutely wild live versions of Radio Hits like 'Blood and Roses', 'Only A Memory', 'A Girl Like You', as well as Deep Tracks, Fan Requests, Favorite Covers, and several brand-new, much-anticipated, never-before-released Smithereens Original Songs, recorded live in concert. Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-07-01
Great Rock & Roll
What a great show. I discovered The Smithereens only last year, but I've caught up now with all their CDs. I don't know how I missed them the first time around. Behind The Wall of Sleep should have been one of the biggest hits of all-time. Between this CD and The Extended Versions we've been given two live blessings recently. The only thing better would be a whole CD of new songs. Outstanding! Rating:
Date: 2008-06-17
The Smithereens Rock Out!
I've been glued to my speakers and headphones listening to this new live CD. I love it and am thrilled at how well it was recorded and kudos to the engineers as well as the band. The drums are crisp, the vocals resonate, the guitar solos pop, the bass is clear and not muddy. This is truly one of the best sounding live CDs I've heard in awhile with all the little nuances shining through.
And with 18 songs, it really is representative of a typical Smithereens live show - the band really rocks out! A must for any fan or a great introduction to new fans.
Rating:
Date: 2008-06-15
better than ONLY a memory
Wow. Everytime I hear the Smithereens it takes me back.
I was 16 and in High School as a sophomore in 1987. A senior I had become friends with knew my musical tastes, and mentioned the Smithereens, whom I had never heard of before. He made me a cassette tape. Side A was ESPECIALLY FOR YOU and Side B was GREEN THOUGHTS. When I listened for that first time, I was transported. I had been let in on one of the best kept secrets in music.
11 came out in 1989, and I felt like I was ahead of the curve when the band became more famous. And I've been there ever since.
There is just something magical about this band and the infectiously crunch peanut butter rock and roll they churn out. You can't not like what you hear. I defy anyone to listen and not find this band appealing. Pick an album, any album.
Finally a full live album covering a whole career. Sure there are songs I'd love to hear that are missing, but this is a damn-near perfect overview. And it is a perfect addition to any fan's collection.
I haven't had as much fun or joy listening to a "new" album in a long time. And though I know most of these by heart, it seems fresh and new anyway.
Sure, Pat Dinizio may have packed on all the pounds that John Popper lost, and sure he may sound winded by half way through the show, but he doesn't let that slow him or the band down one bit. They are still rocking like they did back in the day.
Here's hoping that they get a new album of all new material out soon. Between this, Pat's solo album last fall, the Beatles album and the Christmas album, it seems that the Smithereens are happy and busily working. We can only hope that the unblievably prolific output will continue in the form of a real rocker of an album. Rating:
Date: 2008-06-01
Captured Live
This CD captures The Smithereens at their hard driving, power popping, tight riffing, live best. One of the best live bands to ever grace a stage. And what's not to love about a band who thanks the audience members who were at the live recordings -- by their individual names! -- in the liner notes? Rating: 
Date: 2008-05-31
ANOTHER treading water move!!
Seriously, what's the point? I bought this yesterday and gave it a good listen. We already have the Extended Versions which is a much better show than this. Okay, so you get more Smithereens songs than on Extended Versions. But this show doesn't have the 'bite' that the Extended Versions show does. DiNizio sounds like he is gasping for breath and sounds like a hag trying to find his voice. Generally the band doesn't have the 'desire' that they do on Extended Versions and they sound no better than a high school band. They parody themselves on this set. And where , O Lord, is the album of NEW material??? In the past year we have already had a Smithereens album of Beatle songs, a Smithereens album of Christmas songs and now we have an album of The Smithereens covering The Smithereens. What's next? An album of Bar-Mitvah songs by The Smithereens? The next 'new' album better be new studio material or you can count the band as nothing more than a good cover band. They may as well go play a dance at the local High School gym. The only 'new' material that we get on this album is a pair of songs which are nothing more than The Smithereens covering two songs by Pat DiNizio from his last solo album. WTF??? At this rate, it will take six more live albums before we have enough 'new' cuts to make an album of new material from the band.
A quick look at the 'Read All My Reviews' buttons on the first three or four 'reviews' of this album show that the people 'reviewing' the album have written nothing but 'reviews' of the last two Smithereens albums. A little suspicious if you ask me. AND a little desperate that you need to get your fan boys to give you good reviews.
This album, like the last two 'new' albums is nothing more than a treading water move. I don't know what's happened to The Smithereens but it appears that they are out of ideas. Save your hard earned money and get the Extended Versions to hear The Smithereens when they mattered. |
