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Roxy Music - Viva! Roxy Music CD (album) cover

VIVA! ROXY MUSIC

Roxy Music

 

Crossover Prog

3.80 | 87 ratings

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Tarcisio Moura
Prog Reviewer
4 stars The first live Roxy Music album is kind of a mixed bag for fans. At the time it was released the band was breaking up (McKay disowned the LP in interviews). It was recorded in different occasions (hence the use of 4 different bass players!) and the set list is rather ragged. So I guess it could be better, but anyway it is - as far as I know - the only truly live document of RM on stage during their heydey in the 70īs. Even though Eno was gone by the time these concerts were recorded, many fans regard this line up as much as the one who had him on it (critics disagree, but thatīs another matter). As a fan, I was glad to hear them live for the first time.

The tracklist is really a bit annoying: the songs donīt really flow on the vinylīs first side: it starts well with Out Of The Blue, a classic track, but then the next three songs (Pyjamarama - The Bogus Man -Chance Meeting) are not the best choice to put one after the other. There were many great songs that could have made it here instead. But side one is saved at last by the sensational version of Both Ends Burning. They never recaptured this incredible, marvelous, blistering, semi-chaotic performance and the almost unbelievable slightly out of tune backing vocals that worked so well, culminating with the synthesizers explosion in the end. This track alone is worth the price you pay for the CD! But there is more.

Side two is perfect: only 3 tracks, but what tracks! A definitive, 10 minute version of their best song ever (If There Is Something) with some great violin provided by Eddie Jobson. Amazing! then we have In Every DreamHouse A heartache (another case of a better live than the original studio version, with great climax ending) and a energetic Do The Strand to finish it all.

Conclusion: a very fine live album of their classic period that everyone should have. It is not perfect, it has some flaws as I stated above, but it is still excellent. A pity that a double album version with some bonus tracks is not available. Yet, essential for any Roxy Music fan. Highly recommended.

Tarcisio Moura | 4/5 |

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