AC/DC - Live [Remastered Series]

Epic Records

Posted: 6/14/05

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: Hard Rock

Original Release: 1992  Reissued/Remastered: 2003

Label URL: www.epicrecords.com

Artist URL: www.acdcrocks.com

Live came in two versions, a single disc release and, the one we're reviewing here, the double disc set.  This is an odd thing for a record company to do, and I can't think of any other release that comes this way.

The 23 songs in this set were recorded during the band's 1990-1991 tour in support of The Razor's Edge.  It's the first and only live cd set to feature Brian Johnson on lead vocals.  The package culls songs from the band's long career - Bon Scott era songs ("Jailbreak," "Let There Be Rock," and "Sin City") - classics from Back In Black ("Hells Bells" and "Shoot To Thrill") - and poppy tracks ("Money Talks" and "Are You Ready").  My main complaint with the set list is the fact that the band ignores much of the Brian Johnson era.  Where are the songs from Flick Of The Switch and Fly On The Wall?  And why is the title track from For Those About To Rock We Salute You the only song represented from that album?  While Johnson competently handles the Scott era material, his voice is very, very different.  Therefore, I just don't comprehend the fact that he doesn't sing more of his own material.  Additionally, the Johnson era material that is here isn't always the best stuff.  "Are You Ready," "That's The Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll," and "Who Made Who" pale in comparison to songs that were not played such as "Guns For Hire," "Flick Of The Switch," and "Put The Finger On You."

The Bloody Truth: Despite my complaints with the setlist, this really is fun to listen to.  Angus rips and the rhythmic thump of the Cliff, Malcolm, and Chris is such a charge.  If you're an AC/DC fan, you can't go wrong with this one.  The only other negative that I can come up with is that the songs fade out and do not transition into each other.  This is due to the fact that they were recorded in various locations, but it is something that should have been masked during production.  This package was remastered and reissued in 2003, and it sounds bright as hell.  It comes in a gate-fold cardboard digi-pak with a nice booklet that has liner notes and pictures from the era.