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King's X: Live All Over the Place
 King's X could release a 10-CD box set of live recordings, and rabid members of its cult fan base would scoop it up without hesitation. After all, playing live is how King's X built that voracious following in the first place, and guitarist Ty Tabor says the band still has thousands of hours worth of live recordings in the vaults. As it is, Live All Over the Place is an ample document (for now) spanning the Houston-based power trio's 16-year recording history. Vocalist Doug Pinnick's voice may be a bit gruffer and his bass a bit (OK, a lot) deeper in concert these days, but there's no mistaking King's X for any other band on the planet. Tabor doesn't get a lot of vocal solos over the course of these 132 minutes, but his signature harmonies are everywhere, and drummer Jerry Gaskill bashes away as if playing live were still a new thrill for him.
Recorded at the sound board over many tours and many years, the 25 songs on Live All Over the Place lean toward the band's latter period, with four songs coming from 2003's Black Like Sunday (which featured new recordings of old unreleased songs) and albums such as Tapehead and Manic Moonlight. But the crowds captured on these two CDs seem to make the most noise for older material from the 1988 debut Out of the Silent Planet ("Visions," "Goldilox"), 1989's Gretchen Goes to Nebraska ("Over My Head," "Summerland," "The Difference") and 1994's Dogman ("Complain," "Cigarettes"). And the ball-busting 11-minute version of "Moanjam" from Faith Hope Love sounds way more lethal than the twice-as-short studio version. Curiously, there's nothing here off the self-titled 1992 album and 2000's Please Come Home … Mr. Bulbous. On the other hand, Ear Candy (which many fans cite as their least-favorite King's X album) gets featured on three of the seven tracks in an impressive acoustic section at the beginning of disc two.
Casual fans will note that two of the band's best-known songs, "King" and "It's Love," are missing, but who cares? Practically every song by King's X, with its much-imitated signature sound that allows bass notes to provide the lead melodies, still slays - even if few rival the magic on Out of the Silent Planet and Gretchen Goes to Nebraska. This collection, without a doubt, will make you want to dig out your old King's X records and relive the first time you heard this seminal metal band. You (and the band) deserve at least that much.
Track Listing:
Disc One:
1) Groove Machine (4:10)
2) Dogman (4:19)
3) Believe (6:40)
4) Little Bit of Soul (4:48)
5) Complain (3:16)
6) Over My Head (8:16)
7) Manic Depression (5:38)
8) Black Like Sunday (3:40)
9) Finished (4:01)
10) Screamer (4:20)
11) Johnny (8:21)
Disc Two:
1) The Difference (3:51) (Acoustic)
2) (Thinking and Wondering) What I'm Gonna Do (4:06) (Acoustic)
3) Mr. Evil (4:30) (Acoustic)
4) Mississippi Moon (3:44) (Acoustic)
5) Goldilox (5:02) (Acoustic)
6) Everybody Knows A Little Bit (4:15) (Acoustic)
7) A Box (4:06) (Acoustic)
8) Talk To You (4:50)
9) Visions (6:03)
10) Cigarettes (8:28)
11) Summerland (3:47)
12) We Were Born To Be Loved (5:49)
13) Moan Jam (11:18)
14) Over My Head (5:25) (Bonus Acoustic Track)
Total Time: 132:44
Added: April 9th 2005
Reviewer: Michael Popke
Score:  
Related Link: Official King's X Web Site
Hits: 4419
Language: english
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King's X: Live All Over the Place
Posted by Ken Pierce, SoT Staff Writer on 2005-04-09 08:33:33
My Score:
I am happy to report to you that King's X still sounds the same as they did when I first heard them about 20 years ago. It's truly amazing how Doug Pinnick's bluesy and passionate voice has not lost any of its luster after all this time. Jerry Gaskill's drumming is still rock solid and Ty Tabor's guitar work is as clean and effective as ever. Since every member of the band provides more vocal harmony the level of this part of the music is just as strong as the instrumentation they do. The live CD entitled Live All Over The Place has been culled from shows that took place over the last few years. Showing the band at its peak, this is a very straightforward and rocking live album. Fans of the band will definitely view this as a worthwhile purchase for not only is it chock full of their finest material but it is also the groups first live release in the entire span of their career.
Of the 2 CD's, the majority of the piece is an electric set, yet to add a sense of variety to the recording a fair number of songs are performed acoustically. While I lean more towards the electric versions it is a great way to hear some of their key numbers performed in that manner. Songs that stuck out to me the most on my listening were "The Box" and "Goldilox". Of the electric numbers I seem to stick with the classics that I know best like "Dogman", "Over My Head" and "Visions" (perhaps the heaviest and speediest number on the release). The tune "Manic Depression" had the special guest Jeff Ament (of Pearl Jam) come out and perform with them. That song kicks no matter how you slice it and Doug really sounds a lot like Jimi Hendrix when he is singing it. Doing it with a PJ band member allowed it to be even more memorable.
The booklet enclosed is loaded with full-color pictures from what seemed to be the most recent touring appearances of the group. They should have included some archive photos for reference sake since this was the first live recording. I will admit that despite the number of tracks on this piece I found it very strange that staple numbers such as "King" and "Shot Of Love" had been omitted. Clearly these were two of the bands biggest hits and even used to get heavy rotation on MTV when they showed rock videos.
The band certainly made sure to give you a lot of other material with 25 songs making up the CDs on the release. While two of my personal favorites are not here, it does not affect in the least the overall enjoyment of the music and CD. Any King's X fan will appreciate the work done on their behalf.
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King's X: Live All Over the Place
Posted by Dean Pierce, SoT Staff Writer on 2005-02-02 12:19:14
My Score:
Live All Over The Place is the title of the 2004 live release from King's X. As the title suggests, the material is drawn from a number of performances (in different cities and also in different phases of their career). Considering these factors, it's understandable when the sound doesn't always mesh together smoothly. One does still get the feeling when listening, that they are attending a show where they are transported through a decade worth of shows and experiencing the highlights of each.
The band member's performances are very solid throughout it all. Ty Tabor's guitar playing is passionate and bluesy, Jerry Gaskill's drumming meshes in very well with Doug Pinnock's very groove oriented bass playing. Add Doug's very soulful vocal delivery into the mix and it all blends together into a very solid early 70's/late 60s - hard rock/rhythm and blues hybrid, which for the most part has a very Hendrixy feel. From listening, I can see where King's X has had an influence on some of the bluesy early 90's bands such as Pearl Jam. In fact Pearl Jam's bassist Jeff Ahment guest stars on an impressive cover of Hendrix's "Manic Depression". While being influential to bands such as that, I feel King's X displays considerably more musical sophistication, which might explain their appeal to the progressive metal crowd while not being overtly progressive or metal in their music.
The acoustic set on CD 2 adds a very nice diversion to the collection of bluesy rockers on this release. The liner notes say that this album was "recorded at the sound board by Jay Phebus over many tours and years". It goes on to say "this one totally for you guys…flaws and all…just the way you like it". I have to agree there, because I have always preferred a good soundboard recording to an over produced and studio augmented live recording any day of the week! To me it really comes across as being more honest, and gives a more accurate representation of the live performance. Regardless of how great a musician somebody is, or how great the soundman is, they are human and do makes mistakes from time to time. The true fan I believe not only understands this, but this also endears them to the band even more. Considering the intensely loyal fan base of King's X, this live 2 CD set will certainly be a treat for them!
I recommend this album not only to fans of King's X, but also fans of music who like their music with a lot of heart, soul, and also some grittiness beneath it all…
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