Talking Heads "The Name Of The Band is Talking Heads" opinions?

In my view of one of the greatest live albums of all time,most of the live versions of the 77 material beats the studio counterparts and don't forget the definitive take of Houses In Motion on disc 2 .

What are your thoughts?

 

I have the Rhino expanded 2 CD version and even if it has slightly wonky SQ and edits for time on the disc covering 1980, it builds on a solid foundation.

 

Love it and agree with OP.

 

Wonderful compilation. It was a great thrill upon release, and the subsequent expansion was unexpected -- icing on the cake.

 

It captures an exciting time in the band's history, and the cool sleeve art gives it that Talking Heads touch!

 

I don't think that Talking Heads receives enough credit today, especially concerning live shows. Stop Making Sense gets a lot of attention, but Name of This Band is more representative of their work.

 

The expanded edition is one of the best live albums of all time.

 

Agree with others, it's excellent. The reissue was decent too. I like that it covers different eras of the band - what constituted the first LP is my favorite.

 

Agreed. I prefer the expanded edition over the original release.

 

I prefer the original album over the expanded release.

 

Just listened to the original double-LP the other day. Love it!

 

Worth it for Love>Building On Fire alone.
Bought the original LP when it came out.

 

It’s the only TH record I listen to FWIW

 

Exceptional live stuff. Interestingly, I don’t find any of the songs to really be better than their studio counterparts. Love the studio work.

 

Great career summary of the band as a live act on its way up and through it's peak in those Remain in Light era shows.

 

Talking Heads were a phenomenal live band. I saw them every tour. First time was at CBGB when they opened for Television. They were still a 3 piece. They got better every tour. The big band at Radio City Music Hall was mind blowing. I was in Central Park when they recorded Life During Wartime, Take Me To The River and The Great Curve. The last three songs on the expanded The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads.

 

I agree with this, in general. Although I do think that the first album material (in particular) did benefit from the maturation of the band's execution due to extensive early touring.

 

I'm sick with envy.

 

I like what you’ve said! Those songs do take on a different character, for the better, especially Psycho Killer.

 

It’s a great document of their evolution as a live band. Stop Making Sense is more polished but there’s an edginess to The Name of This Band.... that makes it a great listen.

 

It certainly sounds better and it isn’t edited as much. The reissue on Rhino is a nice replica of the original vinyl although the inner sleeves are a bit blurry. I suspect that they had to copy one of the original inserts.

 

I have mentioned TNOTBITH on a few past Best Live Albums Threads here in recent years. It is my #1 Favorite Live Album of All Time, but I am biased, as Talking Heads are my #1 Favorite Music Artist(Not Counting Solo Music Artists like David Bowie, Peter Gabriel and Steven Wilson).

My first Talking Heads Album was 'True Stories', so actually did not buy the Cassette Tape for 'TNOTBITH' until around 1987-88, and the CD Reissue butchered the Intro to 'Crosseyed and Painless' that was a bad mistake-IMO.

Along with 'Stop Making Sense' on BluRay, I also own on DVD the 'Rome' Concert and the 'Chronology'(Book Deluxe Edition) that has Live Performances between 1976-1983 and 'Life During Wartime' played at their Rock HOF Induction, but never seem to find time to play them, along with my other Music BluRay & DVD Concert Videos.

 

Me too, but thanks to the OP for getting me to give this a listen. I hardly ever play Talking Heads but whenever I do I wonder why, they're great.

 

I have the expanded edition. Love it. Reminds me of seeing them in Champaign, IL — 1982 or 1983.

For those backing the original issue, can you explain why less is more in this case?

 

I love the expanded version but there is a compact perfection to the original release, plus the full version of Crosseyed and Painless (and the sweet sound of the original vinyl pressing). Lots of great stuff on the 2CD version, and the reconstructed 1980-81 show is nice. But some tracks from the 77-79 disc (is the bass out of tune on Mind?) amount to CD bloat.