One of the finest live albums ever released!
04/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Go West were one of the finest UK bands ever to have graced the world stage and the good news for all those who claim to truly love and understand music is that the album The Best Of Go West Live At The NEC heralds their much anticipated return. If at anytime you have left a live gig feeling disappointed by the quality of craftsmanship displayed by those on stage then this album is a must as Go West's overwhelming talents will surely make your heart soar and your soul rejoice. Peter Cox's extraordinary vocal prowess alone will have you repeatedly checking the album cover just to make sure that the voice you are hearing is truly live and with the tight outfit of Richard Drummie and some of the world's greatest musicians accompanying those vocal cords you will finally be able to declare that you have been privy to musical heaven.The live track listing on The Best Of Go West, Live At The NEC will for some be a fantastical trip down memory lane reminding all of a certain age what it was that was good about the '80s and the '90s whilst the younger audience will be overwhelmed that the band responsible for the recently written, hugely soulful studio tracks on this album, Hangin On For Dear Life and All Day All Night, were the visionaries who crafted such gems of pop history like The King Of Wishful Thinking and We Close Our Eyes. With the end of every track on this album Go West seamlessly glide into the next ensuring that the quality of their work never once slips below triumphant but for those who already know and love the work of Go West along with those who have been lucky enough to witness these masters in concert for themselves this will be of no surprise. Through the ages of popular music there have sadly been few artists capable of recreating their own recorded work live on stage and after hearing this album it is clear that Go West cannot be counted amongst them for they do much more than merely recreate. Only minutes into the first track the listener becomes increasingly aware that when Go West walk out onto a stage they give every ounce of themselves and it becomes obvious that playing live for Go West means that they can rise above the boundaries and frustrations a recording studio must surely present to them. Go West's talent, hard toil, love and belief in their music rings out with every vibrant note on this album, with no distinction being made between greatest hits and album tracks, for all the songs contained within are strong enough to stand alone for they bear the magical touch of Peter Cox and Richard Drummie. Like a phoenix rising from a beautifully crafted, bright and amazing fire is how best to describe what Go West do to their own songs when they play them live and thankfully with the release of this album we get to hear this godlike brilliance for ourselves.Critics and fans alike have always revelled in the genius Go West have shown in their studio productions because relentlessly they have presented the listener with songs that are recorded moments of gold but what this album does prove is that Go West have never hidden behind mixing tricks and vari mics. Peter Cox and Richard Drummie are more than just two people who know their way around a studio, that by the way happen to have written some of the worlds greatest songs, they are two people who can truly call themselves giants amongst those who have ever graced a stage. Whether you buy this album for the smooth and soulful Hangin On For Dear Life and the sexually charged All Day All Night or whether you buy it to hear live music as only the great can perform it you will not be disappointed, infact, it will leave you wanting for more! For those who doubt my words may I suggest you buy this album and learn to love the taste of humble pie!"
The Best Pop Group
Wilson Job | Santo Domingo, Rep. Dom. | 10/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"La producción (Best Of: Live at the Nec [IMPORT]- Go West), es una de las mejores producciones del grupo Ingles.Lo unico que he podido opinar es sobre la producción, es la mezcla de los temas (que fueron grabado live) por ejemplo los metales (Trompetas y Trombon y Sax) se escuchan un un poco bajo de volumen, pero la calidad de la interpretación de los temas y la acoplación de los espcialemente del bajista son exelentes. Tambien hago referencia de Peter Cox, para mi es uno de los mejores cantates de Pop del mundo ya que que su estilo es muy original, y tiene algunos estilos en sus interpretaciones de c/u de los temas. De Richard Drummie que te puedo decir es un execelente Musico y cantante. Acerca de los dos temas nuevo grabado en el estudio, son excelentes, la armonia y el arreglo de los dos temas.Le recomiendo que compren esta producccion esta Super Cool !!!!!!!!!No se arrepentiran."
Talented on stage and off
innspectre | WI | 05/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well I've heard Go West before live in the earlier days and they've still got it! This album is filled with nothing but amazing songs that are sometimes very hard to distinquish between studio and live recordings. I'm surprised that every track is so well played in a live setting. And the 2 new singles-studio tracks are among the finest I've ever heard by Go West. I can't even tell you how many times I've listened to it since I got it! Now since they aren't as well known here as in the UK unless you mention 'King of Wishful Thinking' everyone is asking what I'm listening to with keen interest. Well if the new singles are released here in the U.S. I would guess everyone would know about Go West. UK's best kept secret here in the states. You don't wanna miss this cd."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1