I'm definitely not wishing it was Taylor and I think Ronnie is still the perfect replacement. I've seen him with Faces and the Stones and think he's great. I also think that the Mick Taylor years are special and for me he's not overplaying on Brussels. It's still my favorite Stones live show that I own with this one a close second. It just goes to show you that one man's overplaying is another man's perfection. Like most topics we discuss here it purely subjective.
IMO the vinyl is a little better when you volume match the two - the vinyl doesn’t seem to have as much hard limiting (comparing the two, the digital cuts off maybe 4-5dB more off of peaks, so it breathes a little better. But it’s a fairly nuanced difference and other than that, they sound basically the same to me. I’m of the general opinion it doesn’t sound as great as the cheerleaders are saying and not as bad as the critics are saying. I think the mix could definitely have been better - it doesn’t sound like any real venue to me. It doesn’t sound remotely like a stadium or arena (as some claim), but it doesn’t sound like club (or theater) show either. It almost sounds like a soundcheck in an empty theater with a canned club audience. While the choice of room sound - particularly on the vocals and drums - could have been more convincing and the mix arguably been a little more dynamic with more headroom, it could have been much worse.
It was October, 1973 at the University of New Mexico with Rory Gallagher opening. By then Rod Stewart was the solo star and Faces was basically his backing band. I don't remember, it was almost 50 years ago and joints were being passed, but I believe Ronnie Lane was gone by then. Rod had to put on one hell of show with Rory opening. Rod didn't even sell out.
Listening to the vinyl (colored version) and it is very easy on the ears cranked up LOUD. No fatigue at all, and I often adjust treble down a bit for vinyl. This just sounds like a dream with no adjustments needed. The mix to my ears is very even - nobody jumps out - the band sounds like one living thing in a deep groove. Worth every overpriced penny IMO.
so without reading every post here is the vinyl a big enough improvement over the cds to warrant the extra cost?
I’m not sure what you’re saying here - that you know Keith so well that you can tell which parts of what he says is storytelling and which parts are true to his soul. If Keith had said ‘I hated LYL’ and I wanted just to release the blues sides’ it might have been believable, but the other three sides are pretty much doing one job, replicating the build of a Stones show in 1976/77. It’s not really conceivable that two of those sides were chosen by one person, and the other by someone else. Keith for all his rebel charm has always been pretty clear headed when it comes to the Stones as a popular band, I’m pretty sure he would have been on board with including big tunes like Hot Stuff etc, because that’s what would have been expected at the time. Even if he didn’t like it b
Forgive my ignorance, but My question is- Why didn't they make the whole Love You Live album from this El Mocambo show ? Not that I'm complaining of course. I love Love You Live. As is. But they could've put out 2 separate live albums back then. Love You Live from Paris, & El Mocambo. 1977. They did have their own record label afterall. Rolling Stone Records. 45 year later now better late than never. Although, honestly the album cover artwork in my opinion is a huge letdown. Huge. Big time letdown. Did I say that already. I'll say it again. The Andy Warhol color scheme of the Love You Live album is sensational. This new El Mocambo, not so much. I mean really. Look at all the super cool RS artwork throughout the years. Not just albums, but t shirts, show posters, etc, etc.... This live album deserves better. Much better.
I saw every Faces show in Detroit from 72 until the end in 75. They were huge in Detroit and would sell out 2 nights at Cobo Hall by 1975. Also would travel around Midwest when we could to see them. They were the ultimate party band and despite Rod's solo success the whole band were loved. It changed after Ronnie left, he was definitely the soul of the band, but Woody and Mac were the heart. Some nights would turn into shambolic drunken messes but they would just start over haha. I think it was the 74 Cobo show where they ended with I FEEL SO GOOD and it went on for what seemed an hour and it was glorious. The whole stage and crowd became a party. Which continued back at their hotel and we were all invited. I was arrested and lost my virginity both at a Faces hotel party. Which is why everytime on the new ElMo release when Mick and Woody say ''come back to party at Woody's room" I have to laugh. Faces were a magic band and the best shows to see and be part of. No one like them before or since. Except perhaps The Replacements.
Thanks marcb. Do you have the posts? As I commented, I have been following the discussion, which I have found very interesting, but surely I have not read all the posts, since I do not remember reading a specific comment about the comparison between vinyl and cd. If you have the information, I will appreciate it.
Great story. Agree the Replacements were special, but I think the wildness was more insular and self-destructive, though very entertaining in its way. Did you ever read Westerberg's recounting of the Faces show he saw as a teen? I believe it's in the liner notes of the box set. Something like, "I was all of 15 years old and as soon as the music started I had a girl on my shoulders. I fell in love with them instantly."
No offense, but before you re-post a question, you could actually read the thread or do a search. Go about 10 posts up and you’ll see my answer to the question. If you do a search, you might find others.
Thanks, and I'm not offended. I try to always read the threads as completely as possible, but sometimes with updates I miss some posts. I saw your post, but I understand that it is particularly about digital files (24-96) and the vinyl edition, and not about CD and vinyl. In any case, I find it useful information and I appreciate it.
Oh I sat and talked to Westerberg about the Faces several times. It bonded us. Especially the female aspects hahaha. The Mats were very influenced by Faces in many ways, even the way they would dress up sometimes. And of course the drunken loose shows. It's funny because I was at the ''after wedding'' party in Ann Arbor when Paul got married, and we almost got arrested that night too. Tommy went missing and was escorted back to the room by a cop. We hid the speed inside our shoes.....
