Search - Sister Hazel :: Live Live

LIVE and kicking!

L. Quido | Tampa, FL United States | 03/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't usually buy live albums, but I couldn't pass up "Live*LIVE!" by southern rockers, Sister Hazel. My criteria for buying/listening to live albums is usually 2 points: -I've heard the artist live and loved it -There's some intangible about their live collection
that I can't get anywhere else I live not far from Gainesville, the band's college-town home, and have had the opportunity to enjoy them many times in different settings. I wasn't at either of the sessions used for "Live*LIVE!"....September 2003 performances at The House of Blues in Orlando and an appearance at The Masquerade club in historic Ybor City, a
long-time music venue in Tampa. But the key to Sister Hazel's live performances is their connection with the audience. There's a band charisma that nearly leaps off the stage, that you sometimes can't feel in their studio albums (although all three have been superb).The sets from Orlando are relatively free of crowd noise other than opening and closing applause, but the Tampa sets feature a rowdy back-up group in the audience who know all the words and sing at will. The only song that is overwhelmed by this is the first disc's "All for You", SH's biggest hit to date. It has been, over the years, stupefied by too much radio airplay, so you almost welcome a new version with "crowd sing".Best of the tunes? Disc One: "Life Got In The Way" - a great opener, gets everyone's juices flowing.... "I wanted us to be the one that poets write their books about".... "Just Remember" - hot guitar jams lead in and surround the song-- some great a capella voice harmonies by Block/Copeland offset a middling set of lyrics on this crowd pleaser "Come Around" Block's voice is unmistakable and distinctive on this love song. Some of the lyrics on "Come Around" are visual poetry...Disc Two: "Your Winter"(also featured on the soundtrack of the movie "10 Things I Hate About You") and "Killing Me Too" are two of my favorite Sister Hazel songs. Quieter, and more introspective, both allow Block's plaintive upper register to shine through. Somehow the romantic insecurities that come through seem like Block's own. Perhaps they are. In "Killing Me Too", there's a surprise build up and crescendo at song's end that demonstrates just how well these boys play music. "Sword and Shield" (recorded in Tampa), also graces disc 2. It's a departure from most of the S&H songs in theme - it is strangely and compellingly not contemporary in lyrics. It feels like it may have been written with a sound track in mind, although I don't think it appeared with any film. Copeland's harmonies are particularly haunting on the song, which features not only unique lyrics, but a more insistent beat.There's really nothing not to like on the 2 disc set. One of my prior favorites, "Champagne High" sounds like less of a song because the band misses the back up vocals from Indigo Girl Emily Salier that appeared on the studio version.College bar-band, maybe, by origin, but they've transcended far beyond that medium to one of the richest sounds of the south. Great music to sing along to when you're driving!"

"It's a Beautiful Thing" -- Sister Hazel Live LIVE

lisa-26 | Cleveland, Ohio | 02/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded at the House of Blues in Orlando Florida (September 6th, 2003) and The Masquerade in Tampa, Florida (September 13th, 2003), this two-disc "Live" anthology validates Sister Hazel's longstanding commitment to delivering passionate and powerful performances. It includes a dream set list that showcases, in my opinion, the best that Sister Hazel has to offer.From start to finish, the band continues to do what it has always done best - play honest and original music that touches you on an emotional level. Disc one starts out strong with one of their newest efforts "Life Got in the Way" and closes solid with fan long-time favorite "Happy." Disc Two gets equally high ratings with songs like "Your Winter" and "Change Your Mind." These songs are so real and powerful that it is hard not to undergo some type of emotional change while listening.Their loyal legion of fans will tell you that they only keep getting better with time. And it is these same fans that make this "Live" set really memorable. They inject themselves into many of the songs on cue, making some of the band's classic tunes even better!This Gainsville band definitely hasn't succumbed to the trappings of "Rock Star" and their personalities and music are true reflections of their gift to remain down-to-earth. They may actually be one of the best but most underappreciated bands that I have every known of. Sister Hazel definitely lets their music do the talking and I can guarantee you will do some quality listening and won't skip a track of this "Live" CD."

Love Live LIVE!

L. Schultz | Tampa, FL | 01/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sister Hazel positively shines at their live shows and this new live CD brings that energy directly to your CD player. As a fan-friendly group of guys from Gainesville, FL you can literally feel the warmth as the band interacts with their fans. Yet another CD that you can play throughout without skipping a single track."