release date: Jul. 24, 2001
format: digital (18 x File, MP3)
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,58]
producer: Peter Murphy
label: Metropolis Records - nationality: England, UK
Live album by Peter Murphy as follow-up to his most recent studio album Cascade (Oct. 1995) is a comprehensive 18 tracks album with a total running length of almost 1½ hour with all songs recorded live at a single performance at the El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, Nov. 2000.
It's a bit of a long performance - mostly for die-hard fans 'cause the arrangements are to say it politely, extremely scarse. Fact is, Murphy mostly performs only backed by guitarist Peter DiStefano (of Porno for Pyros), at times supported by violinist Hugh Marsh, and by bassist David J on three extra tracks.
The album release, some six years after his most recent studio album may seem odd. And it's most likely not 'just' to fill in the gap in between more regular albums, but more seems manufactured in response to another album: Wild Birds 1985-1995 (2000), a compilation album, which had been released by Murphy's former record company, Beggars Banquet.
The idea of a live album is not that bad but it's a bit on the narrow side to 'just' listen to Murphy's dark vocal with not much else. The song selection is fine as is his performance, but after a few songs, I really yearn for additional instrumentation, which never comes.
Not really recommended.
