I agree w/you 100%. With the exception of the L.A. record, X is one of only a handful of bands that outplay themselves live. I'm not a "Live" album type person, but X.... yeah.
I was so brutally disappointed when I finally heard the "Ain't Love Grand" album only to hear how to the production completely ruined the power of this song and "My Goodness", which are smokingly good on the live record.
And John himself was so wrong about the production on that album. He wanted that "heavy metal" sound, and it just sounds so dated. The Manzarek albums pop, but Ain't Love Grand just sounds miserable, although the songs are excellent.
I agree .. I ve always liked Ain t Love Grand , although I know it has its detractors. But this is the version of around my heart from the live album I keep returning to so that says something as well
agree somewhat but like this album a lot nonetheless. it is a very "hard rock" sounding album, however. this was "X2," really. i'm old enough to have been there and imo Tony Gilkyson was an initial tough fit replacing Zoom on guitar, and his sound and style is more bombastic and less precise then Zoom. also DJ Bonebrake is on a large drum kit, here. the band had recovered from the horrible Ain't Love Grand album, but were different still. in their final tours Gilkyson found the right balance of sound and style and things improved. if you want GREAT live X grab a copy of 2005's Live In Los Angeles. its X with Zoom, is recorded well, and is on DVD, too!
John Hernandez I am old enough too. Saw them many times at the Roxy, Whiskey and Starwood during Wild Gift, Under the Big Black Sun and More Fun... Agree with everything. But Billy Zoom is back in the band and they rock as hard as ever. By the way I'm sure you know that BZ's cancer has taken a turn for the worse. Let's pray for a full and speedy recovery.
