The Cure – Concert (The Cure Live)

Their first most beautiful live ever - Il primo loro live più bello di sempre.

photo of back of sleeve is same as mine, polydor logo, no barcode

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout stamped): 823 682 1 1Y 1 ℗ 1984 670 04 11 last digit is 3
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout stamped): 823 682 1 2Y 2 ℗ 1984 670 04 11 last digit is 7

A favourite live album
I have to shamelessly gush over this classic live album, one of my all time favourite lps, let alone live lps. What rules on this release is the thick, dark, murky sound and atmosphere. Very few releases capture the claustrophobic gloom that occasionally rises to transcendent beauty which is the heart of gothic rock like this. Maybe Bauhaus' Bela Lugosi, the first Sisters lp and some of Joy Division's tracks. This is right up there in that august company. I could talk about the heavy, pummeling drumming, the dynamic bass playing, Robert Smith's swirling guitar, his vocal delivery full of feeling: scorn, anger, exhaustion, anomie, despair, desperation, sly humour. I could compare the songs to their album versions or pick nits about this or that aspect. But forget all that analytical pretence, this album is all about atmosphere, and a darker, gloomier, smokier, more exhausted vibe is not easily come by. For me, this is the Cure at their gothic best, the culmination of their dark trilogy: Faith, 17 Seconds and Pornography. If, like me, you like gothic rock and think these Cure albums were their best, then you just have to get this great live document. A long way from the jangly radio pop that was to come, this is just great.

This album sounds very very well. The versions of songs please any one who knows their music

Errrrr, some kinda shit parts via recording, but yea, pretty killer otherwise!

The best Cure live album. While later albums showcase the poppier side of the band, Concert displays the transition from their goth phase to their new wave one. Some of their best songs from both eras appear here, and are all equal to their studio counterparts through the sheer enthusiasm of the performances, as well as the great sound production. Highly Recommended for all Cure fans, as well as all gothic and new wave fans. (People who love The Chameleons, Joy Division, The Fall and The Church will also find much to love here)

I have this one with a big yellow Sticker on the front cover, saying "IMPORT". I bought it second Hand in the USA in the mid 90s.

This cassette version is the best to have as the "remastered" versions on all the deluxe album releases are brickwalled and sound garbage.

also agree with comments below; picture of the back sleeve is not correct ;
has no barcode
823 682-1
cassette 823 682-4
compact disc 823 682 - 2 (???? was there a compact disc version already in 1984 ?)
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