Live 1980 and The Dance 1997

[PenguinHead]

A ramble...

In comparing their two official live albums (excluding the Boston DVD/CD), I feel that the 1980 album is often overlooked by many people, and overshadowed by The Dance, especially for newer fans.

For me, the Live album really embodies the true essence of their peak live performances. Unlike The Dance -- with its numerous side musicians and compressed, steril and safe sound -- the Live album is just the five of them and the overall mix is very airy and organic. Granted --there appears to be some studio tinkering and vocal overdubs -- but generally it's the band -- the "five firelies" at their gritty best. I recall at the time of its release, Christine was quoted "it's a warts and all album."

As excited I was at the time of its release, however, I was slightly disappointed...only because I knew there were other more blistering performances (and song selection) that could have been included that would have made the album even better. Still we get some incredible songs/performances:

Oh Well
Fireflies
Farmer's Daughter
One More Night
Don't Let Me Down Again
Over and Over

In my newfound "re-appreciation" for the Live album, I wonder how other fans feel about these two albums. I wish we'll someday get a live album from their 1975-77 era. Would love to have an official release of some of their rare performances, like:

Frozen Love
Tell Me All The Things You Do
Sunny Side Of Heaven
Get Like You Used To Be
Hypnotized
Believe Me
Spare Me A Little
Why
Green Manalishi
Crystal (Did they really perform this?? There's no evidence of it other than a mention in Mick's book)

When pigs (and penguins) fly.