[2017-08-18] The Raspberries "Pop Art Live" 2CD set of first reunion concert from 2004 (Omnivore)

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:26 pm

Description
“Having waited this long to witness the impossible—Raspberries live—we showed up two hours early, parking our car in the empty parking lot . . . [and] moments before the house lights went down, we looked at each other and said the words that we never thought we would ever say: ‘We’re at a Raspberries concert.’ Then it began . . . ”
—Ken Sharp and Bernie Hogya from the liner notes to Pop Art Live.

November 26, 2004, the stage was set for a reunion most thought could never happen—the Raspberries Live In Concert! Over 30 years since the original four members of Raspberries last played together, Pop Art Live captures opening night, at Cleveland’s House of Blues, as never before! You will experience the power and magic that led the group to a successful reunion tour in 2005.

Founding members Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson, David Smalley, and Jim Bonfanti powerfully muscle through 28 slices of pure rock ’n’ roll heaven, bringing to life the legacy of power pop’s founding fathers. Brilliantly mixed by longtime Raspberries’ associate Tommy Allen, the Midwestern quartet has never sounded this good!

Pop Art Live contains live versions of songs from all four of the Raspberries’ classic original studio albums including the hits “Go All The Way,” “I Wanna Be With You,” “Let’s Pretend,” and “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)” as well as perfect renditions of timeless favorites by The Beatles and The Who.

Also included in this 2-CD package are reflections and testimonials from Academy Award®-winning filmmaker and rock scribe Cameron Crowe and longtime Raspberries aficionados Bernie Hogya and Ken Sharp. Hogya also contributes a wealth of ephemera from opening night in Cleveland.

The Raspberries are one of rock’s most treasured bands influencing everyone from John Lennon to Bruce Springsteen to Paul Westerberg!. Pop Art Live is an essential document of that band, providing another chapter to their lasting impact! The Raspberries Live . . . they said it would never happen . . . they were wrong.

Tracklist
[CD1]
1. I Wanna Be With You
2. Play One
3. I Can’t Explain
4. Nobody Knows
5. Let’s Pretend
6. Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye
7. Party’s Over
8. Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)
9. Might As Well
10. It Seemed So Easy
11. Baby’s In Black
12. If You Change Your Mind
13. Tonight
14. I Can Remember

[CD2]
1. Starting Over
2. Last Dance
3. I Saw The Light
4. No Reply
5. When You Were With Me
6. It’s Cold Outside
7. Should I Wait
8. Come Around And See Me
9. Makin’ It Easy
10. Ticket To Ride
11. Hard To Get Over A Heartbreak
11. Ecstacy
11. I’m A Rocker
11. Go All The Way

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZZJQW6/?tag=imwan-20

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:39 pm

To clarify for Raspberries collectors, the above Pop Art Live release from Omnivore is a recording of the group's very first reunion concert, which took place in Cleveland in late 2004. It's different from the previous 'Berries live release which came out a decade ago -- that was recorded at a West Hollywood concert in 2005, and entitled Live On Sunset Strip:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FIMHZ8/?tag=imwan-20

fiscus1baker · **Joined:** 02 Jun 2009 **Posts:** 24

I'm excited about the music, but that has got to be the ugliest cover art that I've seen in a long, long time.

Rokin Robin of Locksley · 20 Oct 2007

Oh yeah !!!
(I wonder why they didn't sneak in a Small Faces cover...)
:music1:

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Jun 06, 2017 10:38 pm

Not an Omnivore promo, just a clip that's been on YouTube for a while -- the opening number from the Pop Art Live concert:

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Jun 07, 2017 9:45 pm

And now we have the official trailer from Omnivore:

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Jul 04, 2017 2:26 pm

Pop Art Live has dropped below $20 -- the pre-order price is now $19.99:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZZJQW6/?tag=imwan-20

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

Looking forward to this, the previously released DVD shows what a great drummer Jim Bonfanti is. An incredible show.

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Aug 19, 2017 1:51 pm

This is out now, and the price has further dropped to $15.59:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZZJQW6/?tag=imwan-20

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Linda wrote:

This is out now, and the price has further dropped to $15.59:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZZJQW6/?tag=imwan-20

WOW! Thanks Linda. I'm in.

And for the folks didn't get the Import box previously can be had for now under $20.00 All their studio albums.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015QREYYO/?tag=imwan-20

banzaibid · 05 Aug 2007

Pop Art Live is one of the best sets I've bought this year. It's a great performance and the sound is excellent. Highly recommended, and a steal at $15.59!!

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

Rick A wrote:

Linda wrote:

This is out now, and the price has further dropped to $15.59:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZZJQW6/?tag=imwan-20

WOW! Thanks Linda. I'm in.

And for the folks didn't get the Import box previously can be had for now under $20.00 All their studio albums.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015QREYYO/?tag=imwan-20

Speaking of this box, there have been some negative reviews about the sound such as this making me hesitate on purchasing it, so can anyone confirm this is nonsense?

Here's the review:

https://www.amazon.com/review/RH584ZLL9 ... g=imwan-20

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Well the original producer made these recording with the mix being aimed for AM radio. So are these audiophile recordings, No.

But I like these better than previous incarnations and I have them mentioned above. And of course the price is a steal!

Linda, I believe you have these, what is your thoughts?

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Aug 19, 2017 8:45 pm

This was the exchange between Rick and me in the original thread for the 4CD box above:

Rick A wrote:

Linda wrote:

Rick said this in the listening thread tonight, and it should be brought here too:

Rick A wrote:

After playing the first two albums this evening I need to remind myself to send Andy Pierce who re-mastered this box a Christmas card. He did a fantastic job, the band never, ever sounded this good on CD before.

I agree. Have only listened through Side 3 so far, but probably only SACDs could improve on this box.

Linda is so right here. Starting tonights listening with Side 3 and as with others a much improved CD sound compared to previous incarnations. What a great group the Raspberries, if they were from England instead of Cleveland they be hailed as power pop hiers to the Beatles throne. :ohyes:

There were Japanese CDs of all four albums released after the box, and while I like their packaging and bonus tracks, the sound wasn't further improved. In this box set, Andy Pearce got what I assume is the most that will ever be gotten out of the master tapes short of locating the original multitracks and mixing them from scratch with a completely different approach.

I recommend the 4CD box without hesitation -- these songs have been an important part of my life since age 12 and believe me, I know what they're supposed to sound like. They're not audiophile recordings and will never output "the breath of life" or "hiss heaven" no matter how expensive your system is.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Linda wrote:

This was the exchange between Rick and me in the original thread for the 4CD box above:

Rick A wrote:

Linda wrote:

Rick said this in the listening thread tonight, and it should be brought here too:

Rick A wrote:

After playing the first two albums this evening I need to remind myself to send Andy Pierce who re-mastered this box a Christmas card. He did a fantastic job, the band never, ever sounded this good on CD before.

I agree. Have only listened through Side 3 so far, but probably only SACDs could improve on this box.

Linda is so right here. Starting tonights listening with Side 3 and as with others a much improved CD sound compared to previous incarnations. What a great group the Raspberries, if they were from England instead of Cleveland they be hailed as power pop hiers to the Beatles throne. :ohyes:

There were Japanese CDs of all four albums released after the box, and while I like their packaging and bonus tracks, the sound wasn't further improved. In this box set, Andy Pearce got what I assume is the most that will ever be gotten out of the master tapes short of locating the original multitracks and mixing them from scratch with a completely different approach.

I recommend the 4CD box without hesitation -- these songs have been an important part of my life since age 12 and believe me, I know what they're supposed to sound like. They're not audiophile recordings and will never output "the breath of life" or "hiss heaven" no matter how expensive your system is.

Well there you go, two owner recommendations. And as I failed to note, Andy Pearce did these so, well you know what I think of Andy's work. :thumbsup:

Schads · **Joined:** 19 Nov 2009 **Posts:** 131

Some thoughts after listening to "Pop Art Live":

- Why didn't I beg, borrow or steal to get to a Raspberries show during the 2004-05 reunion "tour"?
- While the 'berries certainly had their share of success, how in the world were these guys not HUGE? (I know, I know....timing is everything.)
- Is there a more underrated guitar god in the world than Wally Bryson?

If you're sitting on the fence regarding this release...take the leap!

[2017-08-18] The Raspberries "Pop Art Live" 2CD set of first reunion concert from 2004 (Omnivore)

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