[2018-01-12] Big Star "Live At Lafayette's Music Room" 1973 concert with new mastering and restoration (Omnivore)

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:12 pm

Description
It is well known that Big Star played a one-off promotional show for the Memphis Rock Writer’s Convention at Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis in May of 1973. It cemented them into legendary status due to the writers who witnessed it and carried the message of Big Star out in their writing, even though the band had only released one album, #1 Record, and were unsure of recording a second after the departure of co-founder Chris Bell. What may not be so widely known is that the trio played the same venue four months earlier with the same power and passion opening shows for the Houston R&B band, Archie Bell & The Drells.

First issued as Disc 4 of the Grammy® Award-winning Keep An Eye On The Sky boxed set, Live At Lafayette’s Music Room sees new light as a stand-alone release, available on CD, Digital, and for the first time, double LP. The performance has never sounded better thanks to new mastering and restoration from the Grammy®-winning engineer, Michael Graves with supervision from fellow Grammy®-winning producer, Cheryl Pawelski.

The 20-track set features material from their debut, #1 Record, songs that would appear on the (not yet recorded) follow-up, Radio City, and choice covers from The Kinks, Todd Rundgren, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and T-Rex. As an added bonus, all formats include a download of a previously unissued 1972 interview with Alex Chilton and Andy Hummel from the summer of 1971 with Jon Scott on FM 100. Packaging features new liner notes from Bud Scoppa, who was friends with the band, and in attendance at the 1973 Rock Writer’s show. His most recent work for Omnivore was an integral part of the acclaimed Big Star boxed set Complete Third.

Experience the only known document of Big Star at this pivotal point in their short, but massively influential career. Omnivore is proud to present, Live At Lafayette’s Music Room.

Tracklist
1. When My Baby’s Beside Me
2. My Life Is Right
3. She’s A Mover
4. Way Out West
5. The Ballad Of El Goodo
6. In The Street
7. Back Of A Car
8. Thirteen
9. The India Song
10. Try Again
11. Watch The Sunrise
12. Don’t Lie To Me
13. Hot Burrito #2
14. I Got Kinda Lost
15. Baby Strange
16. Slut
17. There Was A Light
18. ST 100/6
19. Come On Now
20. O My Soul
Download-Only Bonus Track:
21. Alex Chilton And Andy Hummel Interview With Jon Scott On Fm 100, Summer, 1972

CD
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076ZSM5DF/?tag=imwan-20

Vinyl
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075TKGXY1/?tag=imwan-20

stanner · **Joined:** 26 Aug 2014 **Posts:** 119

This was included in Keep an Eye on the Sky. The tiny handful of fans who do not have that box set but will enjoy a live Big Star recording should order this.

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

Yeah this is a strange release, I agree most of us fans probably bought the box.

Linda · **Posted:** Fri Nov 03, 2017 2:46 am

Bump: Added the cover image and description to the first post.

I'd have gotten this regardless, but "new mastering and restoration" is a good reason beyond just being a Big Star completist. The audio sounds improved even in YouTube quality:

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

I am curious what Omnivore is referring to with the term "restoration". Nice that it is remastered but hopefully they did not artificially enhance the sound (remix for instance)

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

eelkiller wrote:

I am curious what Omnivore is referring to with the term "restoration". Nice that it is remastered but hopefully they did not artificially enhance the sound (remix for instance)

Maybe they found a better source?

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Missing out on the box this separate is a no-brainer. Omnivore does fantastic work. And they love Big Star like all of us.

pobbard · 18 Jun 2007

Has anyone picked this up? How does the sound compare vs. the version on the box?

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Oct 28, 2018 7:19 pm

It's better than what was in Rhino's box set. In places, noticeably so. Don't expect an audiophile upgrade, though. It's not a soundboard but it's more than just an audience recording, as they had mics officially set up around the room. That makes it a pretty good listen even aside from the historical value. Omnivore has probably coaxed the maximum sound quality from the tape of this show that it could ever provide.

The only disappointment is the lack of audience reaction. Big Star were the opening act and most of the attendees sounded like they couldn't care less.

Dave Miller · **Joined:** 19 Aug 2006 **Posts:** 2995

That's part of the charm of Big Star live recordings; it sounds like there are six people in the room who aren't in the band. It reminds me of seeing friends play.

[2018-01-12] Big Star "Live At Lafayette's Music Room" 1973 concert with new mastering and restoration (Omnivore)

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