True, the band wasn't exactly the hippest property around at the time (heck, this is from a Salt Lake City concert). And yes, there is a definate aura of studio tamper-ment that hovers around the album. But let's be honest, folks; how much does hearing The Association live and "raw" really matter?

In fact, when this album works best, it works as a wonderful "prism" through which their sixties hits are refracted. For although their self-titled album was slightly behind them by this point, the spirit that formed it was clearly still in attendence (and you can read my review of their self-titled album if you want to know my opinion on THAT heavenly piece of plastic). Thus, pure live, slightly overdubbed, or pure studio, each song is given a spirited re-arrangement that manages to freshen up even the most saccharine of their hits. Call me a heretic, but I think the version of "Goodbye Columbus" here absolutely blows away the hit version; while some of the studio perfection is inevitably lost, the sheer energy (And these guys are more than capable!) of the rendition and rearrangement let it become something *more* than the studio version. The same goes for the played-to-death "Cherish," which I enjoy here far more than I do the hit version.

Additionally, some of the re-arrangements are very indicative of a lot of thought and creativity. In particular, Terry Kirkman's flute becomes a primary instrument in many songs, and in some cases ("Along Comes Mary" and "Time it Is Today") this manages to completely transform the songs.

Downsides? Well, some of the selections chosen are a bit dubious (although I absolutely love the inclusion of "Goodbye Forever," one of the oft-overlooked gems from Self-titled/Stonehenge), and while some of the rearrangements work, I'm ambivalent regarding the decision to turn "Dubuque Blues" into a "shouter." And the crowd banter, while amusing the first few times through, is occasionally a bit awkward (one skit about "getting in touch with those around you" goes on for uncomfortably long).

This all used to be something of a foregone conclusion, though, as "Live" was previously only available as a prohibitively-expensive Japanese import. Thankfully, Collectors Choice has reissued the set domestically, and while these domestic CDs have come under fire for losing the bonus tracks on the Japanese issues, this had nothing to lose in the first place! A few listens have revealed nothing obvious missing from the import CD version.