Portishead - Roseland Ballroom, NYC Live (2xLP Vinyl)

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Roseland NYC Live is a live album by English trip-hop band Portishead. It was released on 2 November 1998 by Go! Beat/Universal Music. A PAL format VHS video was released the same year, with a DVD version following four years later. Although the New York Philharmonic is credited as appearing in the video, none of the musicians are members of the Philharmonic, nor is the Philharmonic credited in the audio album.

Double 180gm vinyl LP of this 1998 live album recorded with a 35 piece orchestra at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC. 11 tracks (off their 1st & 2nd albums). 

Free promo poster inside.

 



Most live albums pretty much lose the feel of the original studio albums -- sometimes they sound tinny and distant. No such sound here. "Live: Roseland NYC" has not only an orchestra, but the jazzy trip-hop of Portishead's two albums, and the beautiful voice of Beth Gibbons. No wonder it was so good.

Portishead hit the big time with their sophomore album "Dummy," an exquisite blend of smoky jazz and subtle trip-hop. Which, admittedly, sounds like the wrong kind of music to play live, but it works wonderfully here. Portishead includes an almost equal mix of songs from their two albums -- six from "Portishead," five from "Dummy."

And surprisingly, the songs sound like simple redos of the mysterious, melancholy songs from Portishead's too-short career, not stage banter and stripped-down versions of lush songs. It's more than a little unusual to have a band's third album be a live one, but in this case it seems perfectly acceptable.

Backed by an entire orchestra, horns and some wicked turntables, the band plays remarkable versions of their songs. "All Mine" is even more beautiful and haunting than in the album, and "Sour Times" is even more breathtaking than it was originally. Most of the others are faithful renditions, given a powerful new twist with the strings and horns -- only a couple feel less cohesive in a live setting.

Frontwoman Beth Gibbons is known as having a lovely pop voice, and she is in excellent form here. A lot of singers are exposed in live performances as having less-than-stellar vocals, but Gibbons' performance demonstrates what a beautiful voice she has.

"Live: Roseland NYC" is a demonstration of what a good live album should be, showcasing one of trip-hop's best bands. Definitely worth checking out, both as as an accompaniment to Portishead's studio albums, and as a good listen itself.

By: Matthew Wentz


A1 Humming
A2 Cowboys
A3 All Mine
B1 Mysterons
B2 Only You
B3 Half Day Closing
B4 Over
C1 Glory Box
C2 Sour Times
D1 Roads
D2 Strangers



Product Dimensions : 7.48 x 5.39 x 0.59 inches; 3.46 Ounces
Manufacturer : Music on Vinyl
Original Release Date : 2012
Date First Available : March 4, 2012
Label : Music on Vinyl
ASIN : B0075LTP6W
Number of discs : 2

Includes a double fold-out large poster with generic white coloured inner sleeves.