Search - Trevor Rabin :: Live In L.A.

Good sound? Come on, folks! No way!

Graeme | Australia | 09/19/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Maybe I got a special "sludge sound" version of this CD, but as a sound engineer of way too many years I want to warn other discerning listeners that this Cd sounds like a very loud band playing in a small, crowded room and being recorded on 1989 analogue equipment. The kind of clarity and crispness you expect these days just isn't there at all... and don't get me wrong- I'm not surprised. It was 1989 after all. But I AM surprised that Rabin let a recording of this poor quality out into the public domain when his solo work and years with Yes were highlighted by such high production values. Often, his guitar is buried under woofey bass and open drum mikes, or mixed so well back you wonder if it's him playing. I suspect the original recordings, while not exactly a "desk tape", may not have ever been destined for release as an album. And there's only so much you can do to fix these things.

Song choice is good and there are moments of great musicianship, until you get to "Owner". The audience sing-along is absolute crap and disappointing, trashing a much-anticipated number, but fair enough- it was written for Jon Anderson's unique vocal range and I think the sing-along disguises that Rabin struggles to sing it well himself. Don't blame him for that.

Listen carefully to any demo's you can for this album. The muddy sound isn't too much MP3 compression to let it stream... the sound quality is not good at all. Mind you, I just bought the first two Queen albums and they suffer the same thing. We're spoiled for sonic quality these days and 20 or 30 years ago WAS exactly that. If you expect crystal top end and precise mixing, just like on Rabin's studio albums, this Live Cd will irritate you."

An EXCELLENT Concert = A Rockin' CD

Mark R. Garner | New Orleans, LA USA | 11/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While some previous reviews took issue with the sound quality of this CD, I prefer to view this release in the context of 'live rock and roll.' Personally I have no complaints about the sound quality, this is rock and roll, not Mozart so crank it up and let 'er rip! Now, down to brass tacks.



The setlist features tracks from Trevor's outstanding 1989 solo release 'Can't Look Away' as well as a few Yes songs and an older track from 'Wolf'. The songs are performed with a great deal of energy and the musicianship is A+. What really impressed me was the quality of the vocals. 'Can't Look Away' had some really rich harmonies and I was delighted to see that the vocals on 'Live in LA' were of such a high caliber.



I, like zillions of other rock fans, was introduced to this amazingly talented musician via '90125' and as a fellow geetar picker, I was knocked out by his melodic chops. This guy can play. I purchased 'Can't Look Away' upon release in 1989 after hearing Trevor plugging the album on 'Rockline' and after listening to the awesome live renditions on 'Live in LA', I went and dug out 'Can't Look Away' and was even more impressed by the vocals and the live release.



If you are a fan of Yes, or AOR in general, then I heartily recommend this CD.



"

Absolutely essential!

S. Armeson | San Diego, Ca | 04/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Superlatives don't do this recording justice. Masterful and brilliant to name a few. Trev revs up, with guns a blazin'. If you've read this far, go the rest of the way and purchase this. "Cover up" is worth the price alone. His soundtrack to "American outlaws" is phenomenal also. Mark Mancina plays keyboards, Lou Molina on percussion. And Jim Simmons on bass. These musicians did their homework. No stoner garage band here. Many live recordings sound empty. Not this one. I'm perplexed as to how four guys could make themselves sound like an orchestra. Now if we could just rope him into touring again, the world would be a better place."