Live In Hamburg CD reviews

“The Pickets have been at it a while, but judging from this very well-produced live album, they show no signs of stopping anytime soon. Ever hip, handsome and cheeky, they keep you dancing with their covers of of pop tunes - Backstreet Boys' "I Want it That Way" has a much more, mature, warm sound than the original and makes you forget that it's not the Pickets' song! But they do this with all the covers on this album - they sing them like only they can, and make them their own. Regardless of the small amount of applause (and the occasional introduction in German), you forget that it's a live album much of the time - it's that good. "Let Me Entertain You" is a rocking anthem that pretty much sums up what these guys are all about. Unexpected Sting cover "Moon Over Bourbon Street" is a sexy jazz departure; Stevie Wonder's "As" is done with lots of soul and spot-on harmonies. The Pickets show that they can shake things up as well, with Ricky Martin's "Livin' la Vida Loca." The album closes with their signature song, "Only You." This one is a definite must-have for any Pickets fan's collection.(60:00 2003) “
(From Mainely Acappella review)

“I love this album because it's a live album. I hate this album because it's a live album. (…) Because this is a concert (with the cheering from the crowds at inconvenient times, and the conversations that only those present cared about), there aren't a lot of studio enhancements. I want a studio album from this group. That album is going to be O.O.C./O.T.C. -- out of control and off the chain.
Because…
I love their sound. Even the occasional missteps that happen in a live recording…I couldn't help but think, "This is THE FLYING PICKETS!". They demand that kind of respect because they are that good. There is an energy in their performances which resonates through the speakers. Without the aid of studio enhancements, they are going to put on a damn good show (…) a show you will not forget.
I love their originals. Guilty is simply a great song. There is a bit of pop cheese, but the song is solid in musicianship and arrangement and holds up to repeat listening.
I love their soloists. (Hate the fact that the liner notes don't tell you who is singing what part, nor who is featured on what song). Whoever's singing lead is fantastic on Billie Jean, Guilty, Moon Over Burbon Street, and As. But all of the tracks feature excellent soloists, infused with this vitality and character that has me in the palm of their hands. None of them simply sing, they perform. Hell, not to get too new age-y, a couple of times they become the songs. A spark touched me with each track.
You should buy the album if for no other reason than the fact that I love Only You. And if you have to ask why, you haven't been listening to pop a cappella for the last twenty years.”
(Thomas King, Recorded Acappella Review Board www.rarb.org)

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