Nobody Can Dance

Rate It! Avg: 4.0 (54 ratings)
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Nobody Can Dance album cover
Album Information
EDITOR'S PICK // LIVE

Total Tracks: 15   Total Length: 53:16

eMusic Review 0

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Dan Epstein

eMusic Contributor

04.22.11
A must for all power-pop geeks.
2006 | Label: Norton Records / The Orchard

Proof that the Norton Records universe encompasses more than just sleazy R&B, warped rockabilly and greasy-ass garage (not that there's anything wrong with that), this collection of fifteen Big Star live tracks and rehearsal takes is a must for all you power-pop geeks out there. Recorded in 1974, shortly after the release of the band's classic Radio City album, these fiery performances reveal that Alex Chilton and the boys were perfectly capable of replicating the ringing majesty of songs like “In the Street,” “O My Soul” and “Back of a Car” in a live setting. And their heavy rearrangement of Chilton's Box Tops hit “The Letter” is pretty cool too.

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Get this if you love Big Star

Grimey

Great live stuff. Nothing new here, except for "The Letter". Cool to hear Alex doing his old tune.

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Excellent

rich-rich

Although you are missing some great tracks by just getting this album, I love the way their big hits like "September Gurls" and "In the Street" sound on this album.

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Mixed recordings

Warrior4x

This is a max-fan album. The rehearsals prior to the LIVE album are better than the recording LIVE, but it is the concert recordings that are most telling. To me, a bit of sadness, as the concert recording is poorly engineered (though this alone is not a reason to ignore these recordings, and "The Letter" is very well done), and points to the poor support structure these guys had. There is a certain desperation in the performance. Sad, but glad I have it...

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Still comes through loud and clear

IgorRamone

An album with sometimes questionable sound quality (it is live and rehearsals after all) doesn't take away from some great songs. This is probably not the best place for someone to start their Alex Chilton/Big Star collection, but not a bad place to go after you get some regular studio albums.

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Memphis trivia: What's on the cover?

AmpereLachaise

That is the Levitt Shell. Formerly named the Overton Park Shell, and later the Raoul Wallenberg Shell, it hosted many classic concerts. Big Star played there, and it was the home of Elvis' first big concert. The WPA built it in 1936, and the Levitt Foundation has supplied most of the funding to renovate it. It will open in late 2008. By the way, I love this record, though it is really for completists, not first-time listeners of Big Star.

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@jabbertalky from Kansas City Here I Come

sighmoan

Dude, that number has been disconnected -- Cub Koda, he dead many year.

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interesting sonic artifacts...

Dvoodoo

The recordings here are as advertised - live & rehearsals. Still exciting and hi enough quality for fans, but not the dramatic and richly textured studio versions to be found elsewhere on Emusic. If you want a taste of the rare, here ya are, but for newbies I suggest the primo Big Star recordings on their classic studio albums.

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Cub Koda You Rock!

jabbertalky

1972, Augusta College Augusta GA (hats off to Mr James Brown, we will miss you). I was in the audience w/ Ms Rebecca Ward when Brownsville Station blew the doors off that gym. I will never forget that passionate & inspired concert. This was b4 Smokin' In The Boys Room was a hit but you might have played it. I'd love to hear a tape of that show like I can with my Dead shows to see if what I remember was what I heard. You were the most confident, eccentric and talented lead singer I had ever seen. the Harold Lloyd glasses, the Jagger mike techniques, your own inimitable style. I like Big Star, I have some Chilton et al recordings. I just wanted to tell you,Cub, that night was magical. You guys were so on. Give me a shout at jeff@jeffmiller.org 7 I'll tell you the rest of the story. I really want to hear what transpired for you from then

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A mix of early rehearsal tapes and a board tape from an early 1971 live show featuring a rare performance of “The Letter” makes this an official bootleg (band approved) worth adding to the collection after you’ve scored all the essentials. The rehearsals feature John Lightman on bass (no Chris Bell involvement in these performances), but Chilton’s guitar cuts like a knife and his singing is inspired and that’s half the joy in a great Big Star cut, anyway. The live show emanates from Memphis’ Overton Park Band Shell and also demonstrates the band (and Chilton in particular) involved and turning in a rock & roll show well worth documenting and issuing nearly some 30 years later. Between the live stuff and the studio demos, there are two versions apiece of “September Gurls,” “O My Soul,” “You Get What You Deserve,” and “Mod Lang” aboard in this 15-track collection, but even alternate versions of demos and alternate takes are worth the excavation when it comes to this cult group of cult groups. As solid a collection of leftovers as you’re likely to find out there. – Cub Koda

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