Search - Utopia :: Bootleg Series: 95 FM Live 79

Santuary bootleg series vol 2 1979 Utopia

jweavil | madison, wi usa | 11/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"here's my first in a series of sanctuary records reviews as part of the sTReet team: UTOPIA BOOTLEG SERIES VOLUME 2
San Francisco, CA - KSAN 95fm
Sanctuary Records 2002 - #06076 84575-2 sanctuary records bootleg series hits hard'n'heavy power-pop paradise with volume 2, a pro-mixed fm broadcast from the pre-adventures in utopia days of 1979. this welcome addition sounds superb and is packaged with an eight page booklet full of insightful information and great photos. although the show is slightly edited ("owing to the quality of some of the recordings, certain tracks have been left off this release"), the spencer davis medley and tunes from initiation would have been great additions, the flow and order of tunes is preserved. unfortunately, the package's track listing is missing an abbreviated but powerful ikon that segues into the seven rays, one of the best moments on this release. this disc also seems to be mastered quite well using the swift and smooth techniques and tools of the early 2000s. it sounds fabulous! considering that this is only the third year of this particular version of utopia, the set list is awesome and the performance is incredible! bassist kasim sulton, in particular, really shines. kasim's low end touch is phenomenal and his vocals are amaaaaazing, especially on can we still be friends?. his bright vocal leadership on love alone is great and todd evens plays guitar on it. there are no big backing vocals on this like a few years later (evening with utopia). in fact, adventures hadn't even been released yet! roger's keyboard work is great, especially on the wheel where it shines with beauty. his harmony vocals are also right on every time. willie's drumming is strong and he is very prominently placed in the mix. his vocals on gangrene are full of naturally raw angst and grit. todd is waaaay on top of his game, especially vocally. his axe-slinging is hot'n'steamy and full of raw emotion. there's also a lot of fun rants from todd throughout the show...but the key to this one is that the band plays full of gestalt, much bigger than the sum of its parts. it is as if the ensemble itself has taken over to reach new heights and peaks.
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Utopia - KSAN 95 FM Live '79 (Vol. 2) Tracks:
1. Trapped
2. Abandon City
3. Love Of The Common Man
4. Last Ride
5. Shot In The Dark
6. The Seven Rays
7. Can We Still Be Friends
8. Gangrene
9. The Wheel
10. Love Alone
11. Last Of The New Wave Riders
12. The Death Of Rock And Roll
13. Just One Victory pick it up today and help support further live releases from sanctuary records, you'll be very glad you did!"

There are at least 3 types of todd fans

J. Bringle | orlando ,fl | 10/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are at least 3 types of todd fans and this cd has something for all of them.There are the diehard fans / they have probably heard most of these songs live in one form or another. I like this cd because it has great sound !The packaging is good and has some cool pictures as well as some info to what was going on with utopia while this was recorded.It has all that wonderful banter from todd between songs ,which we love(are you ready to boogie?)and a very nice set list with wonderful versions of these songs.lets face it until now there wasnt that much offically released live stuff by utopia ..there was utopia another live(not the same version of utopia as on this disc and not really that much of it was live)..and back to the bars...and redux 92 live in japan..this collection catches utopia in their prime!and is approved and produced by todd!For the casual fan this cd has a great version where they start out doing the ikon and then go into the 7 rays which is killer! it has really good versions of love of the common man,can we still be friends and just one victory,Last of the new wave riders and the death of rock n roll.For new fans it is a wonderful introduction to a much overlooked and awesome band.a must have cd!buy it now!"

Better than Back to the Bars

68redlines73 | Bay Area, CA | 12/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I collected bootleg tapes of Utopia concerts for years and when I listen to them now they all sound terrible. This one CD has replaced all of those old tapes. You'll love it!"