Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. This Wreckage (Live)
2. I Die You Die (Live)
3. M.E. (Live)
4. Everyday I Die (Live)
5. Down In The Park (Live)
6. Remind Me To Smile (Live)
7. The Joy Circuit (Live)
8. Tracks (Live)
9. Are Friends Electric? (Live)
10. We Are Glass (Live)
11. This Wreckage (Live)
12. Remind Me To Smile (Live)
13. Complex (Live)
14. Telekon (Live)

Disc 2:

1. Me! I Disconnect From You (Live)
2. Cars (Live)
3. Conversation (Live)
4. Airlane (Live)
5. M.E. (Live)
6. Everyday I Die (Live)
7. Remember I Was Vapour (Live)
8. Stories (Live)
9. Are �Friends� Electric? (Live)
10. The Joy Circuit (Live)
11. I Die You Die (Live)
12. I Dream Of Wires (Live)
13. Down In The Park (Live)
14. Tracks (Live)
15. We Are Glass (Live)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12629 in Music
• Released on: 2005-08-01
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Three live albums that capture synth pioneer Gary Numan at the peak of his powers, Living Ornaments '79, '80 and '81 - the first two recorded at Hammersmith Odeon, the third an epic ‘farewell’ to the fans staged at Wembley Arena – are triumphant testaments to entertaining rock largesse.

Nothing wrong with ’79, exactly – within, there’s fine takes on early Numan staples "Cars", "Are Friends Electric?", and "M.E". But it’s the other two that ought to be big news for Numan fans. ’80 will spark the plugs of the obsessives: over double the length of the lacklustre ten-track effort that first emerged in the Spring of ’81, it completes the full performance using some recently rediscovered, digitally remastered footage taken direct from the mixing desk. Meanwhile, ‘81 is probably the pick of the bunch. Blessed with an expansive sound, and captured shortly before Numan started to lose control of his unstable muse, it sees him survey the landscape of Replicas, The Pleasure Principle, and Telekon with imperious poise and immaculate showmanship. The only regret is that you can’t see the elaborate stage-set. --Louis Patterson

Customer Reviews

A MUST OWN!!!
I feel compelled to write a review solely based on the review that "dav" wrote regarding this recording. This is the ultimate Numan collectable and serves to complete the documentation of Gary's early touring career from "The Touring Principle" (LO '79), "Teletour" (LO '80), and "Wembley Final" (LO '81) shows.

Living Ornaments 80 is perhaps the best of the three.

Why?...
Although LO '79 is slightly superior in sound quality and dynamic range and LO '81 contains a more varied setlist, the inclusion of a very rare soundboard recording from an alternate show is worth it's weight in gold. I commend Steve Roper (a fan) and Steve Webbon (Beggar's Banquet godhead) for making this recording available to the rest of us.

Now on to the sound quality... 9/10
What do you get for your 10 quid / 19 bucks?
Is this some kind of shoddy bootleg? NO, hardly.
This recording is clearly a soundboard recording of a vocal monitor mix. This is probably Gary's stage monitor that was recorded to check after the shows to verify cues and evaluate the band performance. The vocals are very much in the "front" of the mix and the audience levels are subdued. There is very little in the way of tape hiss and only minor occassional distortion from Gary's mic levels - keep in mind that this show was not recorded for the intent of a mass release. No RAK mobile or multitrack recording gear. This is what makes this a "true" live album. There are no re-recordings or overdubs. If you don't enjoy this recording, you most likely would have left the show early. Inclusion of "Telekon" and "Stories" are rare live gems.

Illegal?
Hardly. I'm certain BB owns these recordings and that Gary will collect royalties on this release just as Bauhaus has on the "Shadow of Light" DVD release. Does Gary like it? Who knows? Only Gary can tell us. Given the fact that he has focused largely on his newer material lately ("Sacrifice" - "Jagged") and doesn't go for the nostalgia kick, probably not. Does this invalidate the recording? - No. Still, Gary appreciates the fact that many of his fans have been with him for 25+ years (hence the "Mini Teletour" scheduled for Dec '06).

Micromusic?
Who owns this thing anyway? Clearly Steve Webbon and Beggar's owns the audio (LO '81 is a direct dub from the video master). Still the video has not been released on DVD. Presumably Gary owns the video rights, unless Copolla and Zoetrope Films still owns it. Who knows? I appeal to whoever owns it, please release this on DVD before the 25 year old masters get "lost" or deteriorate further. At least come forward and say "I own it and will release it or never release it."

Thanks,

A Fan

BTW: Please support Gary by purchasing his latest albums and seeing one of his live shows. You will be blown away!!!

The missing link - worth the wait - only 25 years!
This is the live album all Numan fans have been waiting for since 1980 - the complete set from the excellent Teletour (and my first concert).
There is a long history behind this release and the reason why some of the songs are repeated on disc 1 is because the first 10 songs are from the previously released version, with the complete concert actually taken from the sound desk recording, but professionally mastered to produce an excellent recording of the complete concert. This has the result that Numan's vocals can be heard more clearly than you would normally hear, but this makes the recording all the more special.
Without a doubt, this CD represents Numan at his (first) peak with most of the songs played taken from Replicas, The Pleasure Principle and Telekon, plus the only time Stories was played live (from the yet to be released Dance).
If you buy this, I'd also go for the other two Living Ornament releases, especially 81 - they all represent a piece of musical history and still sound fantastic.

Gary Numan Living Ornaments 80 CD
The material and the performance of the band is first class, with the only minor criticism being Gary's vocals being a little bit strained on the final track We are Glass, but I think we can forgive him for that!

What is interesting is the quality of the source tapes and mastering process.

The first 10 tracks are a straight re-mastering of the original vinyl release. This has worked well but not quite the standard of the Living Ornaments 79 CD release.

The re-mastered mixing desk recording of the whole concert captures Gary in an atmosphere quite unique and unlike other of his live recordings. The live atmosphere of the vocals and music is captured excellently, though the audience noise is not very prominent. You can tell at times it is a mixing desk recording as the clarity and dynamic range does not always reach the heights of Ornaments '79. Though having said that '80 captures an atmosphere that 79 does not have!

An essential part of any Numan collection. Though if those original tapes of the '80 concert are ever found, then a re-mastered release '79 style would still be very worthwhile.