(Edited 5-26-00)
Before there was A Little South of Sanity there was Classics Live. This album was released in 1986 and contains 7 live Aerosmith classics plus a studio version of a previously unreleased track. This album is very well produced, unlike the previous Aerosmith live album Live! Bootleg. Classics Live definitely has more energy than the ballad-heavy A Little South of Sanity. Some of these songs were recorded during the period of time when Joe Perry and Brad Whitford had left the group. Well, enough introduction, let's get to the songs!
The album opens up with "Train Kept A Rollin'". This classic from 1974 always sounds great live. The balls to the wall guitar solos never fail to satisfy. "Kings and Queens" follows. This has always been one of my favorite Aerosmith songs and is makes an impressive showing here. It’s a little bit faster than the studio version, but that’s what concerts are all about. A ferocious version of “Sweet Emotion” is the third song. Those legendary guitar riffs have never sounded better! The version of "Dream On" is better than the one on A Little South of Sanity. Although a ballad, this song has a lot of energy and I have never met anyone who didn’t like it.
After Steven Tyler asks the audience if they liked "Dream On" the band launches into a rocking "Mama Kin". This is great rock song has a timeless quality about it that doesn’t sound as if it were first recorded in 1973. If that wasn't enough they play a scorching "Three Mile Smile" which segues into "Reefer Head Woman". “Three Mile Smile” has always been a favorite of mine, and I’m thrilled that it was released on a live album. The final live song is the seven-minute "Lord of the Thighs". On this tune, the band is locked into a groove and just jam around the structure of the song.
What makes this album truly special is the inclusion of "Major Barbra". This is a studio cut that was originally recorded for the first album. This is a great song with an almost country feel and it's a huge oversight that it was never released on a studio album. There are two versions of this song available; the other is on Pandora’s Box. “Major Barbra” could have been a classic, but was never available for fans to hear until 1986.
This album is loaded with a ton of pure rock and roll energy. It is a much more essential album than A Little South of Sanity. My only complaint is that it was released before CDs were popular, so there are only eight songs on the album. Classics Live 2 is a very good album as well, and the two should have been put on one CD. But, you can’t win them all. Besides, this CD can usually be found for less than ten bucks. It’s well worth it.
Song Selection:
1. Train Kept a Rollin' (originally on Get Your Wings)
2. Kings and Queens (originally on Draw the Line)
3. Sweet Emotion (originally on Toys in the Attic)
4. Dream On (originally on Aerosmith)
5. Mama Kin (originally on Aerosmith)
6. Three Mile Smile/Reefer Head Woman (originally on Night in the Ruts)
7. Lord of the Thighs (originally on Get Your Wings)
8. Major Barbra (previously unreleased)
Top Picks: Kings and Queens, Sweet Emotion, Dream On, Major Barbra
Band Members:
Steven Tyler: vocals, harmonica
Joe Perry: guitars, vocals
Brad Whitford: guitars
Joey Kramer: drums
Tom Hamilton: bass
Jimmy Crespo: guitars
Rick Dufay: guitars
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