Live on Sunset Strip (Deluxe Version)

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Artists: The Raspberries.

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12 customer reviews.  5.0 out of 5 stars.

Quick: what undersung band has been cited as a crucial influence by Springsteen, Kurt, Courtney, KISS, Joan Jett, Mötley Crüe and at least two Sex Pistols? It's the Raspberries, arguably the most influential power-pop group ever to emerge from west of the Atlantic... Entertainment Weekly

Live On Sunset Strip marks the triumphant return after 30 years of the Raspberries' original line-up of Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson, Dave Smalley and Jim Bonfanti, recorded at Los Angeles' House of Blues during the band's sold-out 2005 reunion tour.

The Deluxe Version contains the entire 21-song concert on 2 CDs, plus a bonus 5 track DVD in a special digipak. Features all of the band's classic radio hits including Go All The Way, I Wanna Be With You, and Let's Pretend" alongside fan favorites and covers, including a scorching version of The Who's I Can t Explain.

When a long-disbanded group of aging rockers reunites for a note-perfect set of their 30-year-old catalog, the casual observer might think "I wonder which one needs to pay off some back taxes?" However, when the band in question is the Raspberries, it's cause for celebration. Little-heard and criminally under-appreciated by the masses since their mid-70s demise (who's running those classic rock radio stations, anyway?), the Raspberries in their heyday produced a string of jangly tunes and dense harmonies as sweet and sticky as a tootsie-pop, influencing later power poppers like Matthew Sweet and Teenage Fanclub, and endearing themselves to fans and fellow musicians--Bruce Springsteen contributes reverent liner notes to this release, and John Lennon is pictured in the CD booklet in his Raspberries sweatshirt. Live on Sunset Strip documents a 2005 set by the original band members, covering hummable hits like "I Wanna Be with You" and "Go All the Way", and down-and-dirty crunchers "I'm a Rocker" and "Party's Over." The band sounds great, and lead singer Eric Carmen belts his vocals as if not a day has passed. A bonus DVD contains live footage of five songs from the show, including the ironically titled mini-rock opera (and final Raspberries hit) "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)." --Ben Heege

The Raspberries were greatly underrated and recorded only 4 albums. In their short career they managed to impress critcs and established a loyal fan base but for some reason it all came to an end. It was said by some that they had the potential to be the next Beatles. They grew immensely with each album they released and I was a huge fan. I have all their albums remastered on cd and their music is timeless - in no way dated.

Now, how often does this happen? A group with immense talent that you loved decades ago and stopped recording gets together for a one time reunion concert because they think their fans want it. Amazing and a true gift. Sadly, I was not able to attend. But believe me, this 2 cd set of the live concert is the next best thing. The group in no way rests on their laurels. They perform as if they are in their prime as they rock and jam through 21 songs. All the hits and amazing album cuts are here. They truly deliver to their fans through much sweat and energy. Vocals are amazingly strong and very expressive.

Each song is an awesome performance in itself. Everyone will have their own standouts. For me they are NOBODY KNOWS, IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND, DON'T WANT TO SAY GOODBYE, HARD TO GET OVER A HEARTBREAK and SHOULD I WAIT. But I am mezmerized by the whole set. Their attitude and performance here is definitely a rare gift to fans and a true must have. There is also a dvd with 6 of the songs from the concert. I also wish there was more but any songs on dvd is a plus. Quality music never dies and that is why the Rasperries still reign even decades after their recording years.

Eric Carmen and the rest - thank you.

Way back in the day,I never could make up my mind about The 'berries.
I owned a couple of their singles,which I loved,but I never really paid much attention to their albums.They always rocked hard on the Midnight Special,but the production on the album tracks didn't really reflect the energy they could conjure up in a live concert setting.
But with this live disc,all doubts are erased.This thing rocks from beginning to end.These guys should be respected in the same way Big Star
and ( early ) Cheap Trick are revered.Eric Carmen and company were probably a little too ahead of their time for the masses to really appreciate them and it's a damn shame. Make it up to them by purchasing
" Live On Sunset Strip ". It's money well spent.

This is a GREAT CD---though Bonfanti on drums sounds rusty from time to time, otherwise he aquits himself very well, especially on the nod to the 'Oo, "I Don'T Know What I Want", doing a great Keith Moon tribute! Bryson duplicates his guitar riffs to the record almost throughout, and Eric (after many years and many cigarettes) still sounds great on most of the hits, with only a few song keys being lowered.

This has MUCH more energy and enthusiasm than most 'reunions', and if you love the Raspberries and/or Power Pop, I would highly recommend it!

I only wish that I had been able to be at this concert in person. It is amazing the sound that these guys make after 30 years apart! They've got to be pushing 60 yrs old and they haven't skipped a beat! The arrangements are faithful to the records but at the same time sound updated and modern. Eric Carmen's voice is as clear and beautiful as ever. Heck, all of the singers sound TERRIFIC!! It's tough to name a standout track, but I was never partial to their hit "I Wanna Be With You" but I really really like the rendition here. If you're a fan of power pop, power chords, and strident harmonies, for God sake, purchase this CD. Even if you've never heard of the Raspberries, if you like good clean pop and beautiful vocals, check this one out. You won't be dissapointed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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