The MC5 - Teen Age Lust
Yes, I’m going through another one of my MC5 kicks – but that happens pretty regularly with me seeing as I think they are the greatest r’n’r band ever to exist!
A few years ago Total Energy Records put out Teen Age Lust, which showcases the 5 at the Saginaw Civic Center January 1, 1970. Funnily enough, someone I know had a tape of this show way back in the mid-70’s and though our group of friends were all huge Detroit rock fans, he couldn’t find anyone who was interested in putting this out! There wasn’t enough of an audience for this back then, believe it or not!
Anyway, while the sound quality leaves a bit to be desired, it really isn’t bad for an audience tape and is actually one of the best of the 5’s unofficial live releases. You can hear all of the instruments and vocals (though there are some drop-outs) and it shows the power and majesty of this band in its hey-day.
Opening with the usual “Ramblin’ Rose”, they then blast into two tunes from the then-new Back in the USA – “Human Being Lawnmower” and “Tonight”. These songs positively roar and display just how amazing their second album could have been if it hadn’t been cleaned up in the extreme.
“Rama Lama FaFaFa” is the fantastic riff-rocker from the first album which then goes into a phenomenal version of James Brown’s “This is a Man’s World” with the twin guitars attacking the string parts from the original tune and Tyner and the band showing how much they love soul and the blues. These cats did some incredible covers and always made them their own, no matter how great the original was.
Another blast from the current album – “Teen Age Lust” – explodes and then comes the now-oft-covered “Looking at You” which went through many changes throughout their career, but this is pretty close to the studio version although with a little more crash and chaos.
Another unbelievable cover is their take on Jody Reynolds’ masterpiece “Fire of Love”. Wayne and Fred’s guitars are simple but super-powerful as they do a brontosaurus stomp through the song. Tyner again is in terrific voice and they create another extremely influential tune.
“Shakin’ Street” jumps out of the speakers with a lot louder version of the song – minus the acoustic guitars from the studio take, of course – which is terrific even though it is slightly out of tune.
They close with a medley of “Starship”/”Kick Out the Jams” and their infamous “Black to Comm”. As much as I love the free-jazz excursions of the KOTJ album, this “Starship” ends just before that can start and blasts into a full version of KOTJ before the mania of Black to Comm takes over. Even this song is free from the jazzier elements and is simply a wild r’n’r tune!
Anyway, while the sound quality leaves a bit to be desired, it really isn’t bad for an audience tape and is actually one of the best of the 5’s unofficial live releases. You can hear all of the instruments and vocals (though there are some drop-outs) and it shows the power and majesty of this band in its hey-day.
Opening with the usual “Ramblin’ Rose”, they then blast into two tunes from the then-new Back in the USA – “Human Being Lawnmower” and “Tonight”. These songs positively roar and display just how amazing their second album could have been if it hadn’t been cleaned up in the extreme.
“Rama Lama FaFaFa” is the fantastic riff-rocker from the first album which then goes into a phenomenal version of James Brown’s “This is a Man’s World” with the twin guitars attacking the string parts from the original tune and Tyner and the band showing how much they love soul and the blues. These cats did some incredible covers and always made them their own, no matter how great the original was.
Another blast from the current album – “Teen Age Lust” – explodes and then comes the now-oft-covered “Looking at You” which went through many changes throughout their career, but this is pretty close to the studio version although with a little more crash and chaos.
Another unbelievable cover is their take on Jody Reynolds’ masterpiece “Fire of Love”. Wayne and Fred’s guitars are simple but super-powerful as they do a brontosaurus stomp through the song. Tyner again is in terrific voice and they create another extremely influential tune.
“Shakin’ Street” jumps out of the speakers with a lot louder version of the song – minus the acoustic guitars from the studio take, of course – which is terrific even though it is slightly out of tune.
They close with a medley of “Starship”/”Kick Out the Jams” and their infamous “Black to Comm”. As much as I love the free-jazz excursions of the KOTJ album, this “Starship” ends just before that can start and blasts into a full version of KOTJ before the mania of Black to Comm takes over. Even this song is free from the jazzier elements and is simply a wild r’n’r tune!
This is an amazing document of the best r’n’r band ever in its prime. Sure, there are warts, blemishes, flubbed chords and erratic sound, but gawdam, the energy is insane! Definitely worth the price and again, this is the best live recording I have heard of the band to date.
posted by rich @ 2:48 PM
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