Product Description

In addition to being one of the greatest American hard rockbands of the '70s (Kiss being the other one), Aerosmith developed a reputation as one of the fiercest live acts thanks to a gruelling tour schedule. Inspired by the countless unauthorised live recordings circulating at the time, the band put out LIVE: BOOTLEG, a collection of performances recorded between 1977 and 1978, in addition to a pair of early cuts from a 1973 WBCN simulcast.
Unlike many live albums that of this time period that were overdubbed and doctored, BOOTLEG is Aerosmith at its rawest. "Back in the Saddle" and "Toysin the Attic" contain plenty of ragged guitar playing. Despite the sub-par sound quality, the tracks triumph nonetheless thanks to the primal vibe generated by the band's chemistry. Yes, hits like "Walk This Way" and "Dream On" are included, but the true gems are oft-overlooked nuggets like "Chip Away the Stone", "Mama Kin", and an uncredited "Draw the Line" that overflow with Aerosmith's trademark sass and attitude. James Brown's "Mother Popcorn" and the blues classic "I Ain't Got You" (originally done by the Yardbirds), not only show the band's range, but its love of black music.

Track Listing

1. Back In The Saddle
2. Sweet Emotion
3. Lord Of The Thighs
4. Toys In The Attic
5. Last Child
6. Come Together
7. Walk This Way
8. Sick As A Dog
9. Dream On
10. Chip Away The Stone
11. Sight For Sore Eyes
12. Mama Kin
13. SOS
14. I Ain't Got You
15. Mother Popcorn
16. Train Kept A Rollin'

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18403 in Music
• Released on: 1993-11-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Live

Customer Reviews

Amazing
it was 15 yrs ago when i bought Live Bootleg...
and it still rocks, it's one of the best Live rock albums ever.
along with Made in japan and if you want blood..
Great riffs, Tyler is amazing
Really amazing, worth every penny

Real live!
This rough, tough and rowdy live album brings together 16 recordings from Aerosmith's 1977-78 tour (and a couple of rarities from 1973 in the form of James Brown's "Mother Popcorn" and the Yardbirds' "I Ain't Got You").

The sound is very much live, with the loud, crunchy guitars of Joe Perry and Brad Whitford at the forefront, but it is also relatively clear, and not as cluttered as "A Little South Of Sanity". It is obvious that not a lot of overdubbing was involved to fix up the tracks, which results in a refreshingly authentic representation of Aerosmith at their best.

Almost every early Aerosmith classic is included: "Back In The Saddle" opens the CD, followed by "Sweet Emotion" and a seven-minute "Lord Of The Thighs".
The band's powerful version of John Lennon's "Come Together" is here as well, as is the superb "Walk This Way", the hard-rocking "Mama Kin", and one of Aerosmith's best and most underrated songs, Richie Supa's catchy "Chip Away At The Stone".
And the "Draw The Line" is here as well, although it is unlisted (probably to tie in with the casual "bootleg" design of the album, which includes fake coffee stains on the back).

There are a couple of lesser songs as well, but most of what is here is simply excellent. "Live Bootleg" is a must for fans of Aerosmith's seventies output.
4 1/2 stars.

guitar heaven
My all time favourite Aerosmith album! Aerosmith are definitely at their best when live and this album captures the often mercurial, but raw, bluesy feel they had in the seventies. For me the essence of a good live guitar band is the way the musicians play off one another and improvise upon their songs - much better than just rehashing note for note. Perry and Whitford manage this gloriously throughout the album (headphones on, Perry right ear, Whitford left...I think). The highlight is definitely "Lord of the Thighs" which has a bit of an extended jam with loads of texturing by the guitarists. Other highlights are Mama Popcorn - a James Brown cover with heaps of sax & Tyler scats - and Last Child - great Whitford solo. ...they sure had their moments of genius........