10cc Album: “Live”

This show was recorded live for the King Biscuit Flower Hour back in 1974 or 1975 before they signed with Mercury Records and got huge. The lineup is Lol Creme, Kevin Godley, Eric Stewart, and Graham Gouldman -- this is the original band performing an electrifying set. I believe this show was taken from Los Angeles, but I can't swear to it. Regardless of where it was recorded, this is an amazing show that showcases just how good of a live band 10cc were. These guys, while generally regarded as a pop band (and they were a VERY GOOD pop band, believe me) knew how to rock, and on this show, THEY ROCK.

I bought this release, 'Live,' released by EMI Special Markets a few years ago in a bargain bin. It was literally $0.99, and how could I go wrong? It was one of the best dollars I've ever spent.

So why the two stars? I've showered it with praise already! Read on.

PROS

- You get an electrifying performance (electrifying is about the only word I can use for this) of the classic foursome rocking it in concert and just having a blast on stage.

- The price is right. I got this disc for $.99 (like I said earlier), and most stores that carry this I imagine wouldn't sell it for much less.

- The sound quality is SUPERB!!! The sound here is so crisp and clean, and if you listen to it on a good stereo, you may actually at times think you are there! Yes, it is that good.

CONS

- ABSOLUTELY NO LINER NOTES WHATSOEVER. The EMI Special Markets 'Live' CD releases are a budget series, often selling for $5.99 or less, so obviously, they aren't going to spend hours on end publishing a brilliant essay from a world-class rock critic.

- This is a repackaging of '10cc Live: The King Biscuit Flower Hour.' This is huge. Do you own that disc? Then you own this one already. It's that simple. It's the same exact performance with the same exact running order. I don't own the other disc, so I can't say how the sound is, but my guess is that the difference between the two discs isn't drastic enough to shell out even a buck for this.

- It's deceptive. Nowhere does it mention that this is a repackaging. Shame on you, EMI. Probably quite a few 10cc fans have been duped by that.

Overall, this is a great performance. If you like 10cc and you like live music, this is the disc. And for the price? You can't go wrong. However -- and I can't stress this enough -- BE CAREFUL THAT YOU AREN'T BUYING THE SAME THING AGAIN. There is nothing new or groundbreaking on this disc. So what I would say is this: shell out a few extra bucks and buy the 'King Biscuit Flower Hour' official CD edition of this performance. That way, you get liner notes and details.

But, however, if you don't own the performance and you stumble upon this in a bargain bin, you would be absolutely crazy not to pick this performance up. 10cc were a brilliant band; it's high time that more people discover their genius.