The Ramones: It's Alive - 1977

Recorded on December 31st 1977 at London's Rainbow, this was the the first live album to be issued by a punk band and it remains one of the greatest live albums of all time, capturing an iconic band at the peak of their new-found powers. Incidentally, I saw them the night before this gig, at Friars, Aylesbury. I was blown away by the sheer power and non-stop, relentless attack of it all. I had not heard the like.

The set comprises twenty-eight songs yet the whole gig lasts only fifty-three minutes, such is the breakneck nature of the all-out assault on the senses. The songs are separated only by endless "1-2-3-4"'s and a couple of verbal intros from Joey - "after eating our chicken vindaloo... I Wanna Be Well... and "this is for all you lonely hearts out there..." for Here Today, Gone Tomorrow.

The first three songs make for a absolutely classic opening salvo - Rockaway Beach, Teenage Lobotomy and the wonderful Blitzkrieg Bop. The energy is incredible. You had to be there, I guess, to really get it, but hopefully it comes across for anyone who was unlucky enough never to have caught them live. My one tiny gripe is that the album has never been remastered*, so its sound is a bit dull and even with turning up is not quite as crisp as it might be. But that is not really too relevant  - it's The Ramones. Just turn it up - 1-2-3-4!!

As of 2019 a remaster is available, but only as a part of a four CD, four gig live box set (which incidentally includes the gig at Aylesbury that I saw, (pictured wonderfully below by Geoff Tyrell. I was in that crowd somewhere, although I can't see myself) and costs £70. It is available via streaming services, however, and the sound is much improved. The other three gigs included are the original London one, Birmingham and Stoke-On-Trent. The set lists are virtually identical so probably only the London one is necessary as it has the best sound, but any of the others have their raw, live appeal. 

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