Moonraker Catalog # 220/221 Release Year 1997 2CD Length 73:52 | 64:00 Date/Venue New York and Washington DC 1997 Source Audience Recordings Quality VG+ / EX- |
Disc #1
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Disc
#2
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Comments
Deane's Comments (rates this release
3.5/5.0)
An all together excellent release from the
Freedom Train tour. The sound quality of the Washington show isn't as good as
the New York show. Chris Rock joins the band on stage in New York on Little Miss
Groove Maker Me and shows us why he doesn't sing on his albums. The packaging
includes a 20 page booklet, but not much information about the shows. It was
nice to have the incompete DC show as filler. I hope a more complete version of
this show appears eventually. Again, another excellent Moonraker release!
Mike's Comments (rates this release
3.5/5.0)
One of the best shows from the series of
concerts played during January 1997. The inclusion of the best bits from the
Washington show is a nice bonus.
Fink's Comments (rates this release
3.25/5.0)
Fact fans will be aware that the
versions of 'Jam Of The Year' and 'Face Down' from the New York show were
released on the NYC cassette in 1997. The New York show is from the early leg of
the Love 4 One Another tour (this is only the 4th show of the tour) and as such
it is far less polished than many others later on. That said, it contains all
the basics to make it an enjoyable, if a little pedestrian show. The real
stand-out moments occur during the stunning 'Face Down' which contains some
amazing bass jamming and lasts a little under 10 minutes alone. 'Mr. Happy' gets
an airing and includes a few added lyrics from 'Big Fun' and Chris Rock guests
onstage during the 'I Feel Alright' crowd chant momentarily taking over the
microphone. The first half of the New York recording is superb and whilst the
crowd are evident throughout, they add a very appreciative atmosphere to the
show.
The second half is slightly more subdued and hollow, although still very worthy
of an EX- rating. The release also includes a portion of the previous nights
show from Washington DC (which can be found on the release 'The Artist, The
Cross, The Ride'). The recording isn't as clean and clear as the New York
recording and Prince sounds rather distant. The 30 minutes (ish) included here
however is an excellent mix of the highlights of the show and includes not only
a rather rare performance of 'The Ride', but a slightly different take on
'Johnny' which is more sung than rapped. Overall this is a very decent release
of 2 early Love 4 One Another shows.
There are a few issues with the quality, but on the whole the recordings are
impressive. The packaging is fairly typical for it's time and whilst it includes
a booklet with various nice pics, it is lacking much information.