Issue 62 of The Big Takeover Magazine 

Editor/Publisher Jack Rabid

Review of "Live On Sunset Strip"

"RASPBERRIES Live on Sunset Strip (2 CD + DVD) (Ryko) (by Jack Rabid)

What this triple-disc does is validate every excited word written about this heavy Cleveland power-pop powerhouse's smashing 10-date 2004-2005 reunion tour, in these pages and elsewhere. It was all four members from the classic 1971-1973 lineup, playing the first Raspberries shows since a later lineup's farewell, April 19, 1975 in Scranton, PA. Recorded (sharply, by MARK LINETT) at the last of the 10, at Hollywood's House of Blues October 21, 2005, the rebooted band is exactly as they'd been for two nights at New York's BB King's Blues Club three months prior: locked-in, remarkably exuberant, and untarnished by time (songs about sex and boiling desire don't spoil!). As a result, Live is particularly important, since that surprising comeback only hit seven markets, just the U.S Midwest, Denver, New York, and L.A. Now, here's the rest of the world's chance. Indeed, Live could be a vintage 1972 show, as the BEACH BOYS harmonies still lift the heavier guitar rocking WHO/BEATLES/Byrds stuff of their biggest hits (all here) like 1972 5 blockbuster "Go All the Way," 1972 16 "I Wanna Be With You," and 1973 35 "Let's Pretend." But watching the included DVD, one sees bright-white-haired star frontman ERIC CARMEN (he looks gooood for 55 in 2005!) and his more weathered mates, and it feels odd that they sound so immortally young and turned on; toms-pounding, lefty-on-righty-kit cross-playing JIM BONFANTI and walrus-like lead player WALLY BRYSON match Carmen for chops. And though the group regrettably jettisoned smokin' versions of Bryson, Bonfanti, and bassist DAVE SMALLEY's pre-Raspberries band THE CHOIR's Nuggets 1967 68 hit "It's Cold Outside" and three Beatles-songs/covers they'd included in New York, fresh versions of The Who's 1965 U.K. 8 "I Can't Explain" and THE SEARCHERS' 1964 13 "Needles and Pins" are reasonable recompense. The only complaint is that one has to purchase a deluxe edition to get all 21 songs from the audio on a DVD instead of just a paltry five on the regular release (why?!). Otherwise, Live is an ideal document, another black eye to those who opine that great old bands should stay dead. And though one wonders why they waited two years to release the package, its appearance did spark five more welcome shows in New York, L.A., and Cleveland—making Live even more valuable and timely. (rykodisc.com)"