Live At Lafayette’s Music Room (CD) By Big Star

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Alex Chilton, Andy Hummel, Big Star, Jody Stephens

Live At Lafayette’s Music Room

Big Star

Omnivore 2018

Review by David Bowling

 

Since the death of Alex Chilton, there is been a proliferation of Big Star releases, both solo and as a band.

There has not, however, been many live releases by Big Star. Nine years ago Live At Lafayette’s Music Room was a part of a box set. It now returns as a stand alone and remastered release.

Big Star’s first album had been a commercial failure. Founding member Chris Bell promptly left the group. The three remaining members, guitarist/vocalist Alex Chilton, bassist Andy Hummel, and drummer Jody Stephens considered dissolving but decided to honor several live commitments. Several of those commitments took place in early in 1973, at the Lafayette Room in Memphis.

The 19 tracks set draws on material from their first album and unreleased second. The interesting dynamic is they performed as a trio and so had to compensate for Bell’s absence. It gave the music a different twist as the three musicians had to stretch to create their signature sound.

Another interesting dynamic  is they were the opening act for the soul group Archie Bell & The Drells. The sparse audience was a soul crowd and the reaction to Big Stars set was minimal.

The harmony parts are a stretch at times as there is a voice missing. The lead vocals are fine and the band compensates for the missing guitar parts. They wisely add in covers by the Kinks, Todd Rundgren, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and T. Rex, which are geared to the three of them.

The sound has been remastered but it is what it is. Why this odd and obscure concert was recorded in the first place remains a mystery.

Live At Lafayette’s Music Room is a glimpse into an unusual period of the Big Star Story. It should be a fan pleaser but for an introduction to the band, any of heir early studio albums is superior.

Rating: **1/2

 

Live In Memphis (DVD) By Big Star

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Alex Chilton, Big Star, Live In Memphis

Live In Memphis (DVD)

Big Star

Omnivore Recordings 2014

Review by David Bowling

Alex Chilton, formally of the Box Tops, formed Big Star in 1971 with Chris Bell, Jody Stephens, and Andy Hummell.  Their first two albums were critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful. The band folded in 1974 but re-appeared in 1993 with vocalist/guitarist Chilton and drummer Stephens joined by two members of The Posies; guitarist/vocalist Jon Auer and bassist /vocalist Ken Stringfellow. The band recorded and performed together until Chilton’s death in March of 2010.

While there are a number of live Big Star recordings around, their Memphis concert of October 29, 1994, was the only one to have been professionally filmed. That concert has now been released as a DVD, CD, and double vinyl LP.

Despite being professionally recorded the sound and video is average by today’s standards. The energy of the band more than makes up for it as it was a homecoming concert and was advertised as their farewell performance. The band is trying very hard and it shows in this superior live show.

The material is primarily drawn from their first two albums, plus a number of cover songs that Chilton liked to include in their live shows. The exception is a poignant cover of deceased member Chris Bell’s solo tune “I Am The Cosmos.” Jon Auer provides the vocal as they salute one of their founding members.

The highlights of their tunes from their acclaimed first albums are “September Gurls” and “The Ballad Of El Goodo,” which are presented in all their harmonic pop glory.

Chilton always had an eclectic taste for other people’s material and that was on display in this concert. The covers range from a wicked interpretation of Todd Rundgren’s “Slut,” to a rocking cover of the Kinks “Till The End Of The Day,” to the pop/jazz classic “The Girl From Impanema.” He even reaches into the obscure past with a cover of the long-forgotten Gary and The Hornets “Patty Girl.”

Live In Memphis catches the second generation Big Star at their best. While their first two albums remain must listens; this live albums presents a different version of the band that was about to carve out its own legacy.

Rating: ***1/2

Radio City (CD Reissue) By Big Star

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Alex Chilton, Andy Hummer, Big Star, Jody Stephens, Radio City

Radio City

Big Star

Stax/Concord Music Group 2014

Review by David Bowling

 

Big Star’s 1972 debut album, #1 Record, was one of the defining albums of its era. The problem was hardly anyone bought the album. Group co-founder Chris Bell became disenchanted with the lack of commercial success and left the band. Alex Chilton, along with bassist Andy Hummel and drummer Jody Stephens, forged ahead and despite the loss of Bell, managed to create an album almost as good.  That album, 1974’s Radio City, has now been reissued.

Radio City was a little edgier lyrically, plus found Chilton incorporating some British pop elements into the mix. The harmonies remain intact but it is Chilton’s guitar play that makes a difference. Now the sole guitar player, he proved that he was an upper echelon musician. His prowess is particularly demonstrated on “O My Soul.”

Tracks such as “Mod Lang,” “What’s Goin Ahn,” and “She’s A Mover” contain some of the better lyrics of Chilton’s career and when you combine them with bouncy melodies, it adds up to a good foundation for the album.

Bassist Andy Hummel’s contributions on the band’s first two albums have often been over looked. He provides the vocal for his own composition “Way Out West.” He was also a key to the group’s harmonies, which is very apparent on “What’s Goin Ahn.”

As with the reissue of their debut album, #1 Record, the sound quality has been greatly enhanced to the point where it has a very modern feel. The liner notes are again are by Mike Mills of R.E.M. which provides a hint of Big Star’s lasting influence on American music.

Radio City continued the band’s development of the power pop sound as it pushed it in some new directions. It may not have the consistency and cohesion of their first release, but it remains an excellent album four plus decades after its release.

 

Rating: ***1/2