In 1984, with three studio albums under their belts - Duran Duran released their first live album called "Arena". Just four albums into their young, but successful careers - it might seem early to release a live album, however at this time Duran Duran was as hot as any group. Their last two studio albums ("Rio" and "Seven and the Ragged Tiger") had made them the toast of MTV and Top 40 radio. In addition, the band had embarked on a very successful world tour, so it seemed a wise move to release the live album. This collection includes 9 tracks from that world tour as well as a new studio track called "Wildboys". A lot of people were very critical on the quintet's effort on "Arena". Some of this criticism is justifiable. Some of this criticism is unfair because there is some good work on this album that was done by the band.

First for some of the bad news about "Arena" album. Arena makes some of the fundamental mistakes that many live albums make. This main mistake is not capturing the magic of one great performance, but rather forming a "best of" compilation of live performances from the band. I find when this is done, something is taken away from the individual live performances that are on here. It also immediately takes away from the continuity and flow of the CD. Since this isn't a single performance, we aren't made aware of what would have been the opening song, closing song, encore songs, etc. If you listen to other live albums like Fleetwood Mac's "The Dance" and Rush's "Rush in Rio", these capture most or all of the live performance on CD and stick to the original flow. The result is something magical and intangible - something that "Arena" really lacks. What is worse is the studio track, "Wildboys" is stuck right in the middle of the live tracks.

Another key point is we don't know where these recordings came from. The live recordings are credited from "recorded around the world". Yes all of the tour locations are listed by the month - but no specific tour dates and no specifics on where each track was recorded from. The only exception is the studio track - "Wildboys" is credited to being recorded in London.

Unfortunately for "Arena" there are some other problems beyond the mistakes listed above. This collection just doesn't feel like a live CD. There is a minimum of crowd noise. There isn't a lot of interaction happening with the crowd (possibly the only part where there is true interaction is when Simon Le Bon asks the audience before "Hungry Like the Wolf" - 'Is Anybody Hungry?' - but even that doesn't get me doing handstands) Duran Duran had the reputation for being a very high energy band in the 1980s, yet most of this album doesn't have the high energy of a Duran Duran concert.

However, despite the shortcomings above, there are some good things to point out about this collection. The set does a nice job at balancing out the works from the 3 studio albums - 3 songs from "Duran Duran", 4 songs from "Rio", and 2 from "Seven and the Ragged Tiger". I am disappointed that "The Reflex" or "New Moon on Mondays" were not included with this collection, but I think it also was a good thing to not include too much material from the last studio album.

The opening track is "Is There Something I Should Know". It isn't my favorite Duran Duran track, but I like that there is some horn music integrated toward the end of this song. To a lesser extent, "Planet Earth" and "Careless Memories" have some nice horns that give this a new spin to these tunes. WhatI find very interesting is on "Arena" the band tends to do a better job on the lesser known tunes. Tracks such as "New Religion", "Careless Memories", and "The Chauffeur" are terrific. The more popular tracks are also nicely done - "Hungry Like the Wolf", "Union of the Snake", "Save a Prayer", and "Planet Earth". I think one of the more creative things is the segue that is done between "The Seventh Stranger" and "The Chauffeur". While these songs are from two distinct albums, Duran Duran makes them seem like one seemless song. It's hard to tell that this is a product of the editing of the collection or if this is the way they were actually performed during the Tour. I think "The Chauffeur" is the most underrated track on this collection - it really has a true "haunting" quality as you listen to it. I think the real issue where I have with "Arena" is that Duran Duran does a nice job with the music on this collection - but it could have been so much more. This could have captured the passion and energy of the live concert much more consistently.

As for the new track "Wildboys". I don't think it's the best Duran Duran track, however I don't feel it's the worst. What I do notice is that Roger Taylor's drumming becomes more promient on this track and this seemed to carry over into when they would release the James Bond soundtrack song "A View to a Kill".

As for the liner notes - not terrific. There are some pictures of each of the band members that look like they were taken for teen magainzes. There are no lyrics. The band members and studio musicians are listed, but are not credited with any instruments. As mentioned above Tour Cities are listed.

The best way to summarize is that this isn't a terrible live album, but it isn't terrific. This is a live album that could have been so much more. If you love Duran Duran, this album probably won't disappoint - otherwise, this may not be a collection of interest.

This is the live album that sounds like anything but. Cool arrangements and drama on some of the songs, like "The Chauffeur," but when I buy a LIVE album, I do so to get into the excitement of the crowd. Here.. it's just a hiss. Also, would have been better had the concert not been chopped up. Catch "As The Lights Go Down," or better yet, buy a ticket to a live show instead.

hey you out there!!! Why don't you just go listen to a bootleg of the Arena tour??? Or something such the radio broadcast of their 1984 concert from madison square garden? You will then realize that this cd is LIVE. You don't know what you're talking about. Duran are a great live band, maybe you just should go out and buy a ticket for one of their concert, then you'll change your narrow narrow narrow mind.
This is a great cd.
Ste

In the classic sense, this is a very mediocre live album by Duran Duran. Many fans get irked by that statement, but it's the sad and honest truth. In 1984, when Duran Duran peaked in popularity, Capitol dropped this record instead of a studio LP to capitalize on the band's popularity. While the material here isn't terrible, performances of "New Religion," "Is There Something I Should Know," and "Union of the Snake" come across as perfunctory at best. Simon LeBon sings off-key one time too many, and the band members Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, and Andy Taylor perform with a clean efficency that strips the performances of any spontaneity. The only half-worthwhile track is a song that isn't even live: the killer studio cut "Wild Boys," which went to Number Two in the fall/winter of 1984. Take it from a fan of this group: skip "Arena" and leave it for the diehards and completists. Duran Duran's studio albums are way better than this.

First of all, I want to get this out of the way... I have been, am and always will be a diehard Duranie. I've loved the guys since 1982 and would never say a bad word against them; so I am sure you are wondering about my title for this review and why I only gave it 1 star. Well... this is NOT a live album. What it is, is Capitol's sorry excuse for a sampling of Duran Duran's "Sing Blue Silver" 1984 Tour. If you want the REAL version of this tour on CD, hunt down the 2 CD import "Two For The Show". Despite the "Notorious"esque cover, this is the 1984 Tour on CD and it is brilliant. The closing track "Girls On Film' is pure heaven for a Duranie. Also, with the exception of "Crime And Passion" and "(I'm Looking For)Cracks In The Pavement", the entire show is on these two discs. So, in closing, the one star I gave to "Arena" is for Simon's singing and their "Wild Boys" track; otherwise, this is a poor excuse for a live album... shame on you Capitol Records