The David Johansen Group Live

• Artist: The David Johansen Group
• Rating:
• Release Date: March 09, 2004
• Type: Live
• Genre: Rock

Review

Nine tracks from this July 21, 1978, concert at New York's Bottom Line were released as a promotional LP at the time, but this 1993 CD is the first time the entire concert was released. If this had been available commercially at the time, as opposed to 1981's comparatively limp live offering Live It Up, it might have changed the direction of David Johansen's commercial fortunes, it's that good, a Frampton Comes Alive of New York glam-punk. Johansen is always an engaging live performer, but he was absolutely on fire this night, and all 18 tracks are absolute scorchers. Split about equally between solo songs, New York Dolls classics ("Looking for a Kiss," with guest guitar by former bandmate Sylvain Sylvain is particularly brutal) and a wild selection of covers ranging from Sandie Shaw's "Girl Don't Come" to Bonnie Tyler's then-current hit "It's a Heartache." The highlights are a two-part "Personality Crisis" that's as good as any version he ever recorded and a punked-up version of the Supremes' "Love Child" that's the only non-icky version of the song in existence. Powerful, funny, and rocking, this is essential for all David Johansen fans. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Cool Metro	David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain	David Johansen Group	(4:03)
Looking for a Kiss	David Johansen	David Johansen Group	(3:44)
Not That Much	David Johansen	David Johansen Group	(3:41)
Funky But Chic	David Johansen	David Johansen Group	(4:26)
Donna	David Johansen	David Johansen Group	(4:51)
Build Me Up Buttercup	Michael d'Abo, Tony Macaulay	David Johansen Group	(3:42)
I'm a Lover	David Johansen, Johnny Rao, Buz Verno	David Johansen Group	(3:58)
I Found a Love	Wilson Pickett, Willie Schofield	David Johansen Group	(4:19)
Reach Out (I'll Be There)	Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland	David Johansen Group	(4:24)
The Girls Don't Come		David Johansen Group	(1:10)
Frenchette	David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain	David Johansen Group	(6:41)
Lonely Tenement	David Johansen	David Johansen Group	(4:31)
Girls	David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain	David Johansen Group	(4:29)
Personality Crisis	David Johansen, Johnny Thunders	David Johansen Group	(3:48)
Its a Heartache		David Johansen Group	(3:27)
Personality Crisis	David Johansen, Johnny Thunders	David Johansen Group	(2:03)
Love Child	R. Dean Taylor, Deke Richards, Pam Sawyer, Frank Wilson	David Johansen Group	(5:08)
Babylon	David Johansen, Johnny Thunders	David Johansen Group	(4:37)

Credits

Gina Campanaro (Reissue Package Coordinator), Adam Block (Reissue Director), Gina Campanaro (?), Ted Jensen (Digital Remastering), Peter Flynn (Mixing), Nina Antonia (Liner Notes), Frankie La Rocka (Reissue Producer), Jim Bessman (Liner Notes), Peter Denenberg (Reissue Producer), Sylvain Sylvain (Guitar), Alex Blades (Assistant), Frankie La Rocka (Digital Assembly), Bob Gruen (Photography), Johnny Thunders (Performer), Frankie La Rocka (Drums), Sylvain Sylvain (Piano), Thomas Trask (Guitar), David Johansen (Producer), David Johansen (Mixing), Ted Jensen (Remastering), David Johansen Group (Performer), Frankie La Rocka (Archival Restoration), Ross Landau (Reissue Coordination), Adam Block (?), Peter Denenberg (Digital Assembly), Buz Verno (Bass), David Johansen (Vocals), Dave Still (Mixing), Johnny Thunders (Guitar), Johnny Rao (Guitar), Peter Denenberg (Archival Restoration)