Edited 3-26-00 (Steven Tyler’s 52nd birthday)
After five albums, Aerosmith's struggles in the studio were increasing. There was also a growing rift between Joe Perry and Steven Tyler. The band's ceaseless touring caused them to have difficulties sparking the creativity for new songs. The album Draw the Line was released much later than expected because of Tyler's difficulty with writing new lyrics. Since it was obvious that the band needed a break and was not going to complete an album for 1978, this double LP was released.
The band members did not want the album to sound like every other live album that was being released, which tended to be over produced self-indulgent ventures. Instead, this album was meant to be more of a true representation of the band in concert. The guitars sound ratty. Tyler's voice cracks a few times. The sound quality is a bit rough on a couple of tunes. All these qualities add to an atmosphere that makes the listener feel as though he is seeing the band live. The artwork on the cover and back were printed to simulate an actual bootleg. For example, the printing is meant to look stamped. Also, two different covers were printed. One had the trademark Harley Davidson-esque logo, while the other style had the bat wing logo. I think it was a highly original idea for the band to "bootleg" their own material.
Although the sound quality isn't perfect and the band doesn't always hit every note, I really like this album. What separates this album from the two Classics Live albums and the recent A Little South of Sanity is the song selection. This album isn't a greatest hits package. Rather, this album is comprised of their best rocking tunes that are truly meant to be played in front of the audience. Live Bootleg definitely demonstrates what makes Aerosmith great. If you've seen them live, you know what I'm talking about.
The album contains many of the band’s 70’s hits. "Back in the Saddle" and “Sweet Emotion” are very true to the original versions. The studio versions of these two songs have many overdubs and other extras that cannot be reproduced live. However, in their live versions, these songs sound great “stripped down”. The version of “Last Child” included here is much faster and funkier than the original version. Although Tyler’s vocals aren’t as strong here as they are on other tracks, I dare you not to tap your foot to this song.
One of the weaker songs on the album is the version of “Walk This Way”. What I don’t like about it is Joe Perry using his “talk box” throughout the song. This is a guitar sound effect that can be heard on “Sweet Emotion” (it makes the guitar “talk”). Also, this song is being played much faster than the studio version. Joe Perry’s playing is a bit weak on “Dream On”, but this song is saved by the tight rhythm section and Steven Tyler’s impressive vocal range. The most rocking of the band’s hit singles is the fiery and energetic “Draw the Line”. Joey Kramer’s thundering drum playing puts this song over the top.
This album also features some of Aerosmith’s fan favorites. “Lord of the Thighs” is an all out jam in this seven-minute version. This is definitely one of the strongest tracks on the album. “Toys in the Attic” was recorded the same day as “Lord of the Thighs” and is equally impressive. Aerosmith is locked into an incredible groove on this song. It is a little faster than the studio version, but the band really shows their ability to rock. The band plays a heavy version of the Beatles classic “Come Together”. They would later release a studio recording of the song on Greatest Hits, but it doesn’t have quite the attitude displayed on this version.
“Chip Away the Stone” was a great song that the band never included as part of an album until 1988’s Gems. This live version is incredible. This is one of Steven Tyler’s strongest vocal performances on the entire album. Also, it shows the band really playing as a unit. Joe Perry sings harmony with Tyler on “Mama Kin”. You can hear fireworks cracking in the background since this song was recorded on July 4th, 1977. But the true fireworks were on stage as the band plays a scorching version of this classic tune. Aerosmith lets loose an uncontrolled version of “Train Kept a Rollin’” for the album’s closer. Joe Perry even includes a little bit of “Strangers in the Night” at the end of the song. As the album’s liner notes say about this song, “loud and fast – speaks for itself.”
What adds to the strength of this album is the inclusion of some of their lesser-known songs. A strong version of “Sick as a Dog” is a surprising addition to an already strong album. This song is a gem, and really deserved to be a hit. The funky “Sight For Sore Eyes” makes a strong showing on this album. “S.O.S.” is brimming with energy and sounds great in a live setting. Worthy of special mention is "I Ain't Got You" and "Mother Popcorn". "I Ain't Got You" is an old Calvin Carter blues song that has also been done by the Yardbirds and the Blues Brothers. "Mother Popcorn" is a James Brown tune that shows the band's funk roots. These two songs were recorded 4-23-73, two years before the band was famous.
Song Selection:
1. Back in the Saddle (originally on Rocks)
2. Sweet Emotion (originally on Toys in the Attic)
3. Lord of the Thighs (originally on get Your Wings)
4. Toys in the Attic (originally on Toys in the Attic)
5. Last Child (originally on Rocks)
6. Come Together (studio version on Greatest Hits)
7. Walk This Way (originally on Toys in the Attic)
8. Sick as a Dog (originally on Rocks)
9. Dream On (originally on Aerosmith)
10. Chip Away the Stone (studio version on Gems)
11. Sight For Sore Eyes (originally on Draw the Line)
12. Mama Kin (originally on Aerosmith)
13. S.O.S. (originally on Get Your Wings)
14. I Ain't Got You (previously unreleased)
15. Mother Popcorn/Draw the Line (unreleased/from Draw the Line)
16. Train Kept a Rollin' (originally on Get Your Wings)
Top picks: Last Child, Draw the Line, Lord of the Thighs, Come Together, Chip Away the Stone, Sick as a Dog
Band Members:
Steven Tyler: vocals, harmonica, maracas
Joe Perry: guitar, vocals
Tom Hamilton: bass
Brad Whitford: guitar
Joey Kramer: drums
Additional Players:
Mark Radice: keyboards and backing vocals on tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, and 16
David Woodford: saxophone on “Mother Popcorn”
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