Television were generally regarded as the precise and arty guys of the original New York punk scene but while the clean lines and gleaming surfaces of the albums “Marquee Moon” and “Adventure” the band’s live show told a different story. While they lacked the bash-it-out ferocity of The Ramones or the Dead Boys , on-stage Television played a lot harder and looser than they did in the studio; the guitar interplay between Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd gained so much grit and muscle (and Lloyd was given significantly more space to show what he could do), and drummer Billy Ficca and Bass man Fred Smith weren’t afraid to turn up the heat and add greater color and body to the songs. While the splendid “authorized bootleg”The Blow Up” is likely to remain the definitive document of Television’s awe-inspiring live prowess, “Live At The Old Waldorf” is a professional recording of a 1978 San Francisco date on the band’s last tour before their 1992 reunion . This runs a very close second, and the superior sound quality allows one to better appreciate the subtle textures lurking beneath Verlaine and Lloyd’s Stratocaster firepower. The band seems determined to show just what it can do, and these versions of “The Dream’s Dream,” “Little Johnny Jewel,” and “Marquee Moon” are pure joy for guitar aficionados. Rhino Handmade are to be congratulated for finally giving this oft-bootlegged recording the authorized release it deserves, and providing still more evidence of Television’s enduring brilliance and innovation 30 years after this set was played, “Live at The Old Waldorf” still sounds fresher and more exciting than most anything you’re likely to see at a rock club on a given evening.
Lovely live album, really fine audio quality, and scorching renditions of classic songs (plus a nice Stones cover!). My advice: If you’re a Television fan, you should track down a digital copy to listen to. You can buy the mp3 album, it’s readily available for a very reasonable price at various online retailers. If you want it on vinyl, be warned: you’re now forced to deal with scalpers, essentially. The vinyl was produced in limited quantities and sold on Record Store Day (April 16th, 2011). The show was from a radio show broadcast that was a popular bootleg until its official release by Rhino Handmade in 2003. indiviually numbered limited edition of 5000 copies.
Release of a live 1978 show in San Francisco, California. Tom Verlaine’s lyrics are printed on the custom gatefold cardboard sleeve. Liner notes are printed on a twelve page booklet.
The Band Television were,
- Bass, Vocals – Fred Smith
- Drums – Billy Ficca
- Guitar, Vocals – Richard Lloyd
- Lead Vocals, Guitar – Tom Verlaine
Live At The Old Waldorf San Francisco
The Dream’s Dream
Venus
Foxhole
Careful
Ain’t That Nothin’
Little Johnny Jewel
Friction
Marquee Moon
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
The Fat Angel Sings 