Various Artists - The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

classic rock and soul hits

I loved disc one and only liked disc two. Loved the compilation of classic rock and soul hits. Inclusion of Sam Cooke's civil rights song Change is Gonna Come and James Brown's classic It's a Man's World are the icing on the cake. You get the concert feel with crowd noise and high energy version of rock classics. Wasn't as nuts about the second disc mostly because there's only so much you can do with songs you've heard a thousand times over on the radio--golden oldies that are growing moldy. But even disc two had a few songs that were definitely worth listening to. January 6, 2009

Short shrift given to many

This review is not about the selection process (which I do not favor); it is not about who has been inducted and who has not (good grief, we all have disagreements there), nor is it about why the RnRHoF+M is in Cleveland (two leading answers...Allan Freed and offering more money than NY or LA).

It is about the music contained on the two CDs.

First, the quality of the recordings is excellent as are the great majority of the performances. Jerry lee Lewis' turn is absolutely timeless; it could have been recorded at anytime in his career. The same can be said for the - to my mind - utterly marvelous sequence of Iggy Pop, Lou Reed and Soul Asylum showing just how each generation is chronologically linked.

At the other end of the spectrum, Johnny Cash's performance was flat and off-key, while John Fogerty seemed to be going through the motions.

Second, the choice of performances to be included was odd to say the least. Where, for example, was the British Invasion??? Eric Burdon was there as was the original Kinks. Did we hear either? We did not even get to hear the really well-done acoustic tribute to The Beatles and John Lennon from Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. And where were Chuck Berry and Little Richard? I could go on, but let's just say that I had to wonder if a) there were financial problems in gaining publisher or performer permissions; b) if some folks hated their performances or c) Mr. Wenner et al were already embarked on their biased revisionist approach to the history of rock `n' roll. Put simply a lot of good music that arguably was more pertinent to the story of rock - like Motown - seems to have been omitted or passed over.

Anyway...a two rating.
December 1, 2008

I was there

Made the 9 hour drive to be at this show. The whole thing was on HBO as well. Too much is missing from this CD set. The show was over 6 hours long and many of the best artists are not featured here at all. September 4, 2007

Vote for artists you think belong in the Rock and Roll Hall

What artists deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but have been overlooked for whatever reason?
Here are the top 20 according to an internet poll:
1. Pete Townshend (solo)
2. Peter Gabriel (solo)
3. Van Halen
4. Lynard Skynard
5. Genesis
6. Alice Cooper
7. Moody Blues
8. Iron Maiden
9. Rush
10. Foreigner
11. Chicago
12. John Mellencamp
13. Steve Miller
14. Doobie Brothers
15. The Cars
16. Dire Straits
17. Blondie
18. Yes
19. Thin Lizzy
20. Styx
[...]
March 1, 2005

WHEN IS THIS CONCERT GOING TO DVD???

Fantastic concert, especially John Mellencamp's version of ROCK IN THE USA is not to be missed, great energy. Jerry Lee Lewis, the Late great Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, the list goes on, the CD is worth a listen.

But when is this concert going to be on DVD?? It is long overdue! What's the story, put the concert on DVD already for everyone to see. I was overseas serving my country when the concert was broadcast, so I missed out, help us out who missed the concert! November 19, 2004

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