I bought this album way back in the early 90s. At first I didn't like it, Morrissey changed some of the lyrics to some of his hit songs. After giving the tape another try, this album put its hooks into me and has not let-go since then. I believe Morrissey is 10X better live than recorded. I have seen him in concert three times and he is never a disappointment as a live act. Songs like "The Drazie Train" are not found on other albums and are a must-have for the true fan. Of all the albums, this is really not an album but a piece of Smiths history. It is a true treasure. These versions are refreshing departures from the studio-recorded songs. My advice: Buy all of the original Smiths albums and this one too. Don't waste your money on any of the "Best Of" albums.

quite simply one of the best live pop albums ever. live, the smiths were very different from their records. they were a rock band. "Still Ill" and "I Know It's Over" are utterly heart-wrenching on this record. get it.

First: The only reason this album did not get a five-star rating, is that this is a Smiths album, and as such, must live up to some pretty high standards. Now, the Smiths were without doubt the greatest band of the eighties (and one of my all time favourites), and had a reputation for being a huge live-attraction. Now, unfortunately, I never had a chance to catch their live acts (primarily because they split up when I was ten years old), but I do imagine that some piece of their worth as a live band were due to Morrisseys enigmatic stage performance, which isn't easily transformed to a sound recording. That said, all the band members were (are) excellant musicians, as this album is a proof of. Now, to summarize my thoughts about this album:

For:

-It's the Smiths, it must be good. (and it is)

-Good sound quality. Far superior to the bootlegs I have heard.

-Some of the songs are featured in great live versions. This recording of The Queen is dead really opened my eyes, I mean ears, to this song. The studio version of the song had never really appealed to me. Until this one.

-The Draze Train. Amazing intrumental tune. Awesome performance by Marr (as always).

Against:

-Less than great song selections. Vicar in a tutu, Ask, Rushholme ruffians and London have never been among my favourite Smiths-songs, though this version of Vicar is in my opinion far superior to the studio one.

-Less than great live versions of some of the songs. I much prefer the regular album versions of What she said, I know it's over and Bigmouth.

-Though backed by secondary guitarist Carig Gannon, Marr doesn't achieve the amazing guitar-tracks as he does when layering guitars on the studio-album. Still, Marr allways performs well, and this is no exception.

So, if you are a Smiths fan, you already own this album. If not, you are going to buy it tomorrow. If you like the Smiths, but aren't a diehard-fan, then I'd still recommend this album. You won't be disapointed. If you are new to the Smiths, get The Queen is Dead or Louder than Bombs instead (and then get all the others). If you hate the Smiths, then go get the new remixes of Modern Talkings greatest instead.

I especially love the live renditions of Cemetery Gate, and Big Mouth, much more so than the studio album versions, although I like all of the songs selected on this album. They are to me a really balanced selection of the Smith's styles. The album versions seem a bit, well, studio-like and restrained. Performed live, the songs take on an added essentiallness, drive, and verve. I like listening to the album in its entirety, very loudly or through headphones and each time I am transported to a magical experience. I know the other reviewers have mentioned that this album was a "filler" release after the Smiths broke up but to me this album really exhibits the essential beauty of Morrisey's emotional-laden songs and Johnny Marr's melodicism. By the way, if you like Morrissey's solo work, I recently bought "Maladjusted" and I must say it's a GREAT work!

Once you realize this 1988 CD was quickly released by a record company facing passionate demand for a band that no longer existed, the release of this so-so CD becomes clear.

Live records are, as John Lydon put it, "record company stuff." You get the hits, just sloppier. I can remember only a handful of live CDs that offered something more. (PiL's "Paris in Spring", Throbbing Gristle's total reworkings, Ani DiFranco's "Living in Clip", John Cale's "Fragments of a Rainy Season" stand out.) I file this Smiths CD in the just-ok/humdrum bin. I play it sometimes, but in the space of years, not days.

Most of this Kilburn UK 10/23/'86 show consists of songs from "The Queen is Dead" or recent singles of that period. Performances here don't touch the studio mastery of that truly wonderful record. The tempo of most songs is sped up, not always a good thing. And then there's Morrissey, who sounds crankier than usual. This works well for "Bigmouth Strikes Again" which sounds like a thrilling riot, not so well for other tracks.

Legalities prevent me from recommending bootlegs that are far stronger, but I can safely say the great live Smiths were recorded - the material is out there - and this CD falls short. "Rank" is a live Smiths document, little more. It might have made a better video, however. Morrissey's fade-in/fade-out vocals suggest this was a rambunctious physical show, where he was swamped by fans. Reissue/Repackage anyone?