Live By Request

Performer: Blondie
Engineer: Steve Thompson; Thom Cadley
Producer: Steve Thompson; Jodi Hurwitz; Steve Thompson
Distributor: BMG (distributor)

Notes: Blondie: Chris Stein, Clem Burke, Debbie Harry, Leigh Foxx, Paul Carbonara, Kevin Topping. Personnel: Debbie Harry (vocals); Chris Stein, Paul Carbonara (guitar); Kevin Topping (keyboards); Leigh Foxx (bass guitar); Clem Burke (drums). Audio Mixers: Steve Thompson ; Thom Cadley. Recording information: New York, NY (05/07/2004). Director: Lawrence Jordan. Photographer: Kristin Callahan. On LIVE BY REQUEST, Deborah Harry and company prove that they are not just an 1980s phenomenon, but rather, a fresh and inspired ensemble that can still pack a punch. In some ways, Harry foreshadowed the ascendance of hip-hop with her rapping on "Rapture" and the 2004 live version of the song still retains all of the nerve and sexiness of the original. Others, such as the show's closer "Heart of Glass," see the band really branching out; Blondie doesn't perform this chic disco hit like the studio version. Instead, they use it as a vehicle for a lengthy, all-out jam. Guitarists Chris Stein and Paul Carbonara really turn up the heat on this track by trading licks and laying down some very funky riffs. Towards the end of the tune, drummer Clem Burke shifts gears altogether and begins bashing away on his cymbals, as both guitars work their way into a distorted frenzy. This is how all rock shows should end--in blissful chaos!

Mojo (Publisher) (p.104) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Burke's drumming is joyfully ragged and clattery, Stein goes in for some metal guitar histrionics, and Harry is in fine voice."

Although the press and public were initially focused on singer Debbie Harry's model-like good looks, Blondie was one of the first new wave bands of the 1970s to experiment with other musical styles. Beginning as part of the '70s CBGB scene in New York, the band experienced massive commercial success when they merged their '60s girl-group-influenced punky pop with disco, reggae, and rap. After the group disbanded in the early '80s, Harry went on to a solo career and acted in numerous films. Blondie had a successful reunion in the late '90s, touring and releasing an album of new material that showed they were far from done.

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