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The Blow-Up
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Barnes and Noble
The Blow-Up
Current price: $19.99
Barnes and Noble
The Blow-Up
Current price: $19.99
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Double live albums frequently come off as redundant and indulgent, but in the case of
,
comes awfully close to being an essential document, simply because the band's studio albums didn't always capture the rawness and spontaneity that fueled their on-stage improvisations. Both of those qualities are present on
in abundance; the sound quality is not exactly pristine, but the performances, recorded in 1978 on what proved to be the band's final tour, are exciting and frequently breathtaking, capturing a side of the band that will enlighten anyone wondering how
's intricate, layered sound was ever tagged "
." Six songs from
and two from
appear, plus covers of
and
'
(here renamed as the album's title track). It's interesting to hear the shorter songs outside of a studio setting, but the album's real treasures are the second half's nearly 15-minute versions of
which are loaded with the improvisational fireworks that helped build
's reputation. Anyone seeking a more complete, rounded picture of the band after digesting
should eventually find his way here. ~ Steve Huey