Search - Saga :: Steel Umbrellas

Some great songs/up to date Saga remaster review

ThrEaD NUGENT | Newport Beach, CA United States | 09/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love SAGA and the direction SAGA was going up to this point. I always thought during the late 80's to 90's they were better when they acted their age-writing mature, heartfelt and sophisticated songs. Saga were always a pop(ier) band waiting to happen in their earlier years- see: 'Will it be You', 'The Interview' and 'Someone Should.' I thought they sort of ditched or lost the hardrock vibe after 'Beginners Guide...'which is a great record. Many of their harder songs sound a bit corny during the 90's-ie)Some of Generation 13, and the wretched 'Pleasure and Pain.' Many SAGA fans may disagree w/ me but I just think the mellower, groovier SAGA songs sounded more natural than the rock songs at this point.OK, that said 'Steel Umbrellas' was partially written for the 'Cobra' TV series, this I try to ignore. The songs are light, fun and very catchy. Very Bryan Ferry-ish,not one of them is a stinker. Sort of reminds me of 'Behaviour' or 'Wildest Dreams' which is totally misunderstood and underrated in my book!
The bonus is a total disappointment, 'I Walk w/ You' live taken from 'Detours'! WHY? Where are the non-lp studio tracks that were promised!!? Overall, though, a pretty damn good cd.The SAGA remasters up until now, overall get a mixed review as far as the packaging, artwork, liner notes(none at all!). It'd be nice to read something about the records. Also, 'Behaviour' DOES NOT have a video track, much to my disappointment!! 'Misbehaviour' is one of my fave SAGA songs. I raced out to get this to see the video of this song only to find out it's a live, audio track-oh well. The artwork also is poorly put together, why not liner notes instead of terrible pictures or cheesy collages? I'll still buy all the remasters, it's the content on the cd that matters.
SAGA RULES!!"

Remastered but still lacking.

The Wedge | Santa Barbara, ca United States | 09/10/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"saga is remastering their entire collection. So far the first three saga releases sound great and have all the art restored. Steel umbrellas however is not one of my favorites. To add to this I own a polydor and a Bonaire version of this cd. The bonaire version has a song called WALKING ON THIN ICE and its better than most on the disc. Considering saga is adding bonus tracks why didnt they add this song instead of I WALK WITH YOU LIVE.I also own NEVER ALONE and WHY NOT as sinle edits on a best of, why no bonus tracks of these, the space is there. So it seems the remasters are like the SAGA WEBSITE never quite complete and always leaving you wishing there had been more. My comment on this one, skip it if you already own it."