Rating: 4/5
Review:
Decent but some reservations
Releases of live FM broadcasts are variable in quality, to
say the least. This one, consisting of
two sets from Toronto in 1982 and
LA in 1979, is a bit variable.
Blondie were still massive in 1982, although in my view a little
past their peak. Nonetheless they were
still a fine band and a glance at the tracklist here will remind anyone who
needs reminding that they made some truly great records. For me, the LA set, recorded in 1979 is the
better of the two; it's tighter, more edgy and aggressive while the 1982 Toronto
set is more of a big production which doesn't come over so well in this
recording.
The sound quality is decent but it's not brilliant. There's not much hiss, which is a relief, but
the balance isn't always great and it has a rather mushy, woolly – especially
in Toronto. I also have to say that Debbie's intonation
isn't as secure as it might be in the Toronto
set. This really surprised me because
she's a fine singer, but there are moments in The Tide Is High, Heart Of Glass
and some others which have me wincing a little.
In LA, where she's largely giving it a full-on New Wave blast, she
sounds terrific.
For me, the Toronto
set is a three-star affair and LA four-stars.
I've rounded up to four stars overall, and this is probably worth
getting to have a record of a legendary band at the height of their fame, but I
do have some reservations about some of it.
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