11-17-70 (titled 17-11-70 everywhere else in the world,) is Elton John's first live album issued on April 9th, 1971. It features six of the 13 songs Elton and his band consisting of Dee Murray (bass,) and Nigel Olson (drums,) performed live at A&R Recording Studios in New York City on November 17, 1970. The live in the studio concert was broadcast live on WABC-FM.
The performance is good idea of how Elton's early concerts were. Just the three of them pounding out an exciting and powerful set. Elton will return to this format of concerts when he's in the mood, but this is the best record of it.
As I mentioned, the original LP release included six songs. The 1992 CD was a copy of the original album with the original mix. The 1995 and 1996 CD re-issues are re-mixes done by the late Gus Dudgeon. Some effects were added, but since I haven't heard the original mix, I can't compare. At least a bonus track, "Amoreena," was included on the mid-90's CD's.
It would still be nice to have the full concert released, but maybe Elton doesn't feel it's necessary. A deluxe edition would be welcomed.
Overall, a good live album which is essential for Elton fans.
My Best Buy number: 0228248284
My Best Buy number: 0228248284
What's great about it: The performance is top-notch
What's not so great: The full concert has yet to be released anywhere officially
This 1966 album was a top 10 country album, and hit #112 on Billboard's album chart, and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Instrumental Recording in 1967, (it lost.)
The album's main strong points are the country flavored songs like I'll Cry Instead, which Chet and harmonica player Charlie McCoy really stand out on. The Beatles original version was more country then any other song of theirs, with George Harrison's solo very Chet Atkins inspired. Yesterday is also a highlight...mostly Chet solo on acoustic guitar, and I'll Follow the Sun is also enjoyable.
The only Muzak sounding track is the recent song Michelle. While still tasteful, it's fully orchestrated and doesn't really match much of the country sound of the album.
The short 30 minutes running time might beg for more. It's too bad Chet didn't do a Pickin' on 2 follow-up.
Overall, still an enjoyable album, with George's blessing and endorsement, ( he wrote the liner notes,) it's a must have for collector's of Beatles covers.
My Best Buy number: 0228248284
My Best Buy number: 0228248284
What's great about it: Chet Atkins playing, and Charlie McCoy's harmonica playing
What's not so great: The short running time...but that's 1960's albums for you
The long-awaited U.S. release of Harry Nilsson's "last" pop album, Flash Harry, is a welcome addition to fans of Harry's long and winding career.
The short version of why this album had no U.S. release initially is record company problems, Harry, who had left RCA in 1978 acrimoniously, signed with United Artists Records, but it was short lived. Two things led to this...first, the UA executive who signed Harry, had just left the label, and also, UA was in the process of being sold to Capitol Records, so Nilsson brought out his contract to United Artists. He signed with Mercury Records for release of this album in England and Japan. Still the album wasn't successful. There had been no official CD releases of this album ever...until now.
The album is normal Nilsson of this time. The album sounds much like either of Harry's mid-70's releases like, Duit on a Mon Dei, or Sandman. It's an eclectic mix of Pop, Rock, Reggae, Latin, and even some Comedy.
One of it's best tracks, speaking of Comedy, is not even sung or written by Harry. It's the Eric Idle song "Harry," about Nilsson. It was composed by Eric after he and Harry had a disagreement. It;s a fun and simple song that Harry insisted be included on the album.
A few of the other highlights are "Old Dirt Road,"(co-written with John Lennon, for John's Walls and Bridges album,) "I Don't Need You," (which Kenny Rogers made into a hit the following year in 1981,) and "The Bright Side of Life," another Eric Idle song that was in the Monty Python movie "The Life of Brian."
The four bonus tracks are fine, and are a nice to have.
Overall, if you're a Harry Nilsson fanatic, you must get this. Casual fans might like this, but if they expect another "Without You" or "Everybody's Talkin'," they won't get it.
My Best Buy number: 0228248284
My Best Buy number: 0228248284
What's great about it: It's finally released not only in the U.S., but worldwide
What's not so great: It's still a step down from Nilsson Schmilsson.
Maybe one of the best if not the best archival box sets of 2013, The RCA Albums Collection by Harry Nilsson collects all 14 of his RCA Victor albums, from 1967's "Pandemonium Shadow Show," to 1977's "Knnilllssonn." All 14 albums contain bonus material, such as unreleased songs, alternate versions and mixes of songs, and some single only releases. Plus, three more discs, subtitled "The Nilsson Sessions," cover the years 1967-1974, that contain more gems from the vaults.
The sound quality throughout is first-rate. Both of Harry's first album, Pandemonium Shadow Show and Aerial Ballet, also feature the hard to find mono mixes from 1967-68.
If their are any quibbles, not everything is here. Linda, a song from the Nilsson Sings Newman sessions is not here...the master tape has gone missing, and the 30-second filler Harry recorded for the Aerial Pandemonium Ballet 8-track included on previous CD releases is also not here. Also, a DVD with TV appearances, promo videos, commercials, and the BBC specials he did would have been nice to have.
Overall though, this is still a top notch release that every Harry Nilsson fan should go and immediately purchase.
My Best Buy number: 0228248284
My Best Buy number: 0228248284
What's great about it: It contains all of Harry's RCA albums, some unavailable for many years, and unreleased songs and rarities.
What's not so great: It's still missing a few oddities, and a DVD would have been welcomed.
Rockshow is a much needed DVD re-issue for Paul fans everywhere. It is the first complete video release of any kind of this movie.
The concert itself, is taken from L.A. (The Forum,) N.Y.C. (MSG,) and Seattle (Kingdome (1976-2000,) concerts during the Wings Over America tour. The performances are exciting and energetic. Paul really plays off the crowds, and is really enjoying himself. The highlights for me were the opening, Venus and Mars, Rock Show, and Jet, in almost a medley; Lady Madonna, a song Paul really enjoys playing then and now; The entire acoustic set, with Picasso's Last Words, and I've Just Seen A Face standing out; Denny's Laine's version of Go Now is also bouncy, the set of Speed of Sound songs is rockin', especially Beware my Love, and Soily, the great lost Paul rocker, is a great way to end the show.
The restoration and remastering of the movies' picture and sound is great. Still, some of the picture re-storing still shows some grainy and old aspects of the medium in 1976/1980, but it isn't as consistent like the old VHS/Beta/RCA disc/LD versions. The sound is wonderful, remixed and clear, unlike the muddy original stereo in 1980.
I must admit...I have the regular DVD re-issue, not the Blu-Ray release, so the Blu-Ray is probably better, but this DVD is still recommended.