I was tidying up my computer office and doing a little cleaning tonight and was playing In Concert at the same time.
Really, it's been quite some time since I have played it from start to finish. It was refreshing.
In many ways it captures the band at a peak. Though the 1971-74 era was probably a peak as well. But it's a fantastic album as we all know. I can't imagine why a fan wouldn't dig this album.
It also hit me that half of that lineup is no longer among us, sadly. May John, Mark and Eddie all rest in peace. But their spirit lives on through the music. Everyone gets a chance to shine on the live album. What an exciting experience it must've been to see a Rare Earth concert in the early 1970's.
I'm rather tired and am at a loss for superlatives but in every case, the live versions surpass the studio versions. This is not because of a different band lineup but because these are live versions. I like live albums. In my opinion, a great band is one that can "kick ass" onstage. Any band can make a "perfect studio album" but onstage is where a band can really let loose, in my opinion. And Rare Earth prove it on In Concert.
One thing I remembered is that there's no production credit on the album. My question is: who handled the production and mixing chores. Was it produced by Rare Earth, and Messrs Russ & Ralph Terrana? That's my guess. I also clean forgot that there's additional applause added to sweeten things...particularly on Thoughts. It seems silly that there's cheering in the background on Thoughts, which is was a "live in the studio" jam. But it somehow seems just right :) NO complaining. I also recall Ray telling me they re-recorded one of the songs in the studio because they didn't think the live versions were quite up to par. I forget which song he said it was.
Then I got to thinking: what songs were played live in those 1971 gigs but left off of the album? More material from One World? Tobacco Road? Pete, Gil and Ray...any thoughts on this one? This type of stuff would make a great addition, as would a longer version of Thoughts. That's a pipe dream of mine. Yes, if it was up to me...you know I'd do such a project.
But from the first words you hear on the album "you wanna celebrate?" to the last line "we hope we made a friend", this album has never let me down. To answers the questions: I do (wanna celebrate) and they did (make a friend). This albums transports me back to when I first heard it years ago...and to the first show I R.E. saw in July 1992.
Mike: Nice comments Thank you. As far as other songs on the show.HMMM I can't think of any. We pretty much did the song line-up the same way for all our shows. Perhaps Ray or Gil might have a better recollection. I think the production credits went to Rare Earth. It would be interesting to find out for sure. Peter
PRODUCTION CREDITS DID GO TO RARE EARTH. IT WAS OUR SHOW,RECORDED JUST AS WE HAD BEEN DOING IT. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL SONGS AT THAT TIME. WE ADDED MORE WHEN "WILLIE" WAS CUT LATER.
AS FAR AS WHAT WE RE-RECORDED(TO THE BEST OF MY MEMORY, LOL),THE PHARMACY IS LISTED ON THE CREDITS. THAT WAS OUR REHEARSAL STUDIO IN DETROIT. THEY SENT OUT A REMOTE UNIT,AND WE RE-CUT "LOSING YOU", AND " CELEBRATE". DOING IT REMOTELY GAVE IT MORE OF A LIVE SOUND TO MATCH THE REST OF THE ALBUM. AH......THE PHARMACY.....PETER AND I SPENT MANY NIGHTS THERE WRITING SONGS. THAT'S WHERE "NICE TO BE WITH YOU" WAS BORN. GOOD MEMORIES.
All this talk of "In Concert" reminds me of those days back in 71-73 when I used to play One World / In Concert / Willie Remembers day after day after day. I still play them even now of course, but usually the compilation CDs. Its not quite the same as watching the orange RE label rotating on the deck and being able to actually read the writing on the sleeve!!
In Concert would without doubt be my desert island disc. Thirty eight years since release (?) and nothing has come along to change my mind.
PRODUCTION CREDITS DID GO TO RARE EARTH. IT WAS OUR SHOW,RECORDED JUST AS WE HAD BEEN DOING IT. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL SONGS AT THAT TIME. WE ADDED MORE WHEN "WILLIE" WAS CUT LATER.
AS FAR AS WHAT WE RE-RECORDED(TO THE BEST OF MY MEMORY, LOL),THE PHARMACY IS LISTED ON THE CREDITS. THAT WAS OUR REHEARSAL STUDIO IN DETROIT. THEY SENT OUT A REMOTE UNIT,AND WE RE-CUT "LOSING YOU", AND " CELEBRATE". DOING IT REMOTELY GAVE IT MORE OF A LIVE SOUND TO MATCH THE REST OF THE ALBUM. AH......THE PHARMACY.....PETER AND I SPENT MANY NIGHTS THERE WRITING SONGS. THAT'S WHERE "NICE TO BE WITH YOU" WAS BORN. GOOD MEMORIES.
RAY
Hi Ray,
Wow, that's one short but sweet show. I assumed Tobacco Road had always been in the set. But hey, I wasn't there so I do not know
I always wondered what "The Pharmacy" was! I didn't think the album was recorded at Walgreens or another store. Is that the same rehearsal where you & Peter were scared by armed cops one night?
Thinking of the prospect of live material...I sure wish we could all hear the Live In Chicago album and the performance at the 1970 Atlanta Pop Festival (recorded and filmed). There's not much Rare Earth live stuff out there.
THAT'S A HIGH COMPLIMENT DAVE!! THANK YOU FOR THAT.
HEY PETER, THE PHARMACY IS WHERE IT ALL STARTED FOR ME. THAT'S WHERE MY FIRST REHEARSALS WERE WHEN I JOINED UP. I STILL REMEMBER "LOSING YOU" WORRYING ME BIG TIME. THAT SONG WAS SO LONG,AND HAD SO MANY CHANGES AND CUES!!
LATER, WE DID MOST OF OUR WRITING THERE,WORKING INTO THE WEE HOURS OF THE NIGHT. AND YES.....THAT WAS THE SCENE OF THE INFAMOUS LINE: " I HOPE YOU OWN THIS PLACE".....AS SAID BY TWO DETROIT COPS AT THE OPEN DOOR WITH THEIR GUNS DRAWN!! SOME FUN EH?
AND AS USUAL....MIKE...THE SUPERFAN IS RIGHT!! HOW COULD I FORGET TOBACCO ROAD!! SHEESH. WHY WE DIDN'T INCLUDE IT,I DON'T REMEMBER.....
WE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF OURSELVES AS A LIVE BAND,AND GAVE IT ALL EVERY TIME WE WERE ON STAGE. THAT WAS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS I ALWAYS LOVED .WE KNEW WE COULD COUNT ON EACH OTHER TO PLAY FROM THE HEART,AND HOLD NOTHING BACK.
THAT'S A HIGH COMPLIMENT DAVE!! THANK YOU FOR THAT.
HEY PETER, THE PHARMACY IS WHERE IT ALL STARTED FOR ME. THAT'S WHERE MY FIRST REHEARSALS WERE WHEN I JOINED UP. I STILL REMEMBER "LOSING YOU" WORRYING ME BIG TIME. THAT SONG WAS SO LONG,AND HAD SO MANY CHANGES AND CUES!!
LATER, WE DID MOST OF OUR WRITING THERE,WORKING INTO THE WEE HOURS OF THE NIGHT. AND YES.....THAT WAS THE SCENE OF THE INFAMOUS LINE: " I HOPE YOU OWN THIS PLACE".....AS SAID BY TWO DETROIT COPS AT THE OPEN DOOR WITH THEIR GUNS DRAWN!! SOME FUN EH?
AND AS USUAL....MIKE...THE SUPERFAN IS RIGHT!! HOW COULD I FORGET TOBACCO ROAD!! SHEESH. WHY WE DIDN'T INCLUDE IT,I DON'T REMEMBER.....
WE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF OURSELVES AS A LIVE BAND,AND GAVE IT ALL EVERY TIME WE WERE ON STAGE. THAT WAS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS I ALWAYS LOVED .WE KNEW WE COULD COUNT ON EACH OTHER TO PLAY FROM THE HEART,AND HOLD NOTHING BACK.
RAY
Ray,
Judging from the performance of 'Losing You" on In Concert...sounds like everyone nailed it.
Superfan? I wouldn't go that far I just assumed Tobacco Road was played...I didn't know for sure.
I think I prefer the live version of What'd I Say by just a little. Those opening chords have really big sound to them. And year ago or so, I learned something about the saxophone break in the middle. I didn't relaize there were 2 sax players in the band. I always assumed Gil overdubbed a 2nd sax part on the live album.
You guys still hold nothing back even up till today. You and Gil kicked butt along with the other guys in Buffalo Grove a few weeks back. And Peter always gives it his all with the CRA. That's why I'll continue to see you guys every chance I get because it never gets old!! Thanks for the effort and dedication.
