Disc 1 is from their VH1 StoryTellers performance, it's an excellent CD, with great acoustic versions of the some of the Counting Crows best songs. Only problem is they edited out all the stories (big mistake!)

Disc 2 - This is most of the concert Counting Crows plays on MTV Live at the 10 Spot, completely unlike the other CD, this CD contains all "electric" music, and is ment to portray the Counting Crows ability to play heavy, only problem is the recording quality isn't so great, they purposely didn't mix it to give it that "bootleg" feel, but in truth it needs something. Some of the songs come out good, "Angels of the Silences" for example sounds great when performed with this level of distortion and energy, but a lot of the songs are missing the empty space emotional element that makes them great.

The concept here was to show the diversity of the counting Crows style, unfortunately this is more of marketing ploy than anything else. Since this albums release Adam Druitz has said he wasn't very happy with this album and has since released two limited edition live CDs on the bands web site:

"By The Time We Got to WoodStock" "Face the Promised Land"

If you can find either of these you'll be in for a real treat, and you'll hear just how good this band is live.


Powerful, poignant, and LIVE!   February 23, 2000
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

This double CD really gives a great impression of what the Crows sound like live. I first heard "Mr. Jones" on the radio back in '94 and hated it! They played the song into the ground and I couldn't stand Adam Duritz's hairstyle on the video. Then I heard "Rain King" and my opinion began to change. A friend loaned me "August" and they finally won me over; I bought both CDs and became an avid fan. I've seen the band twice in small clubs and both times was in complete AWE of Adam's power and passion. His rendition of "Round Here" brought tears to my eyes and he had the entire crowd mesmerized! The second CD of these two is the best in my opinion, but the first one is excellent as well and includes an awesome hidden track. It didn't get five stars only because they should have included more songs!


The Antithesis of Pop!   October 19, 2002
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

What a great (double) record. The beauty of this record is the amazing evolution that Counting Crows songs go through when they are played live.

Counting Crows is the definative live band. Every show is completely different that the last. It is impressive to hear what they have captured on these two CDs. Many songs are repeated between the CDs. 'Round Here, Rain King, and Have You Seen Me Lately, to name a few. None of which are the "same." Each repeated song has a completely different musical arrangement. Each song showing, one, how talented this band is, and two, how tight they are as a group. There is a lot to be said about how well a band can communicate and predict, especially when there is a great deal of improv.

A live record was totally in the natural progression of a band like this. Their shows are what makes them so special. Bands like DMB have great live shows, but the fact that what I hear on their 5+ live albums is all too similar to what is on the CD, makes me not want to buy their live material. It is the opposite with the Crows. Everytime they play, they play a new song, even if it is old. They could release entire tours and you'd never hear the same show twice.


THIS IS A GREAT 2-CD ALBUM!   July 20, 1998
 7 out of 9 found this review helpful

I became a fan of Counting Crows about a year ago. Well, I heard Mr. Jones in 93/94 and liked it but could never remember the bands name. Then in 96/97 Long December came out, and again I forgot the band's name, but finally remember (somehow) and found my friend had this CD, and I borrowed several times before I could buy the CD. Anyway I t! en to like LIVE versions of songs better than the album versions. The only complaint I have is that one the first disk, which is their VH1 Story Tellers show, I wish they would have kept Adam's monlogues, I mean it would interest fans, at least it would me. Oh well. Here is a complete list of the tracks, since the one here is incomplete. I decided to put * by my favorite songs.

DISK 1 1. Round Here 2. Have You Seen Me Lately? 3. Angels of the Silences * 4. Catapult 5. Mr. Jones * 6. Rain King 7. Mercury 8. Ghost Train 9. Anna Begins 10. ---"Secret Track"--haven't figured out which song it is, though, sorry :( ! "Maybe Things Are Differnt These Days" is what I figure from listening to it.

DISK 2 1. Recovering the Satalites 2. Angels of the Silences * 3. Rain King 4. Sullivan Street 5. Children in Bloom 6. Have You Seen Me Lately? 7. Raining In Baltimore 8. Round Here 9. I'm Not Sleeping ! * 10. Murder of One 11. Long December * 12. Wa! lkways


Contrast illustrates depth, conjures up images of greatness   July 23, 1998
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

An interesting twist the Crows have taken on this double CD. Including many of the same songs on both discs all but insures that many of the more passive music fans will decide against purchasing this collection. Alas, that is not the focus of the musicians behind this moving production. In what is essentially a gift to fans, the Counting Crows have created an album that captures the full range of their capabilities. Adam Duritz never abandons the trust he seems to have established with his listeners on the many modified versions of the band's most popular songs. Although the music on the tracks changes significantly on the acoustic first CD, the spirit behind the songs doesn't. "Mr. Jones" still possesses the emotion packed into the electric version, and "Have You Seen Me Lately" is suddenly altered from its pointed tone to an introspective ballad. Needless to say, the first CD is truly memorable. On disc 2, if you have never been to a Count! ing Crows concert, you are given a taste of the energy which the Crows bring with them to the stage. The rapport between musician and fan is obvious on this CD. The adrenaline and emotion expended on "Murder of One" and "The Rain King" are testaments to the dedication this band puts into their work. Allow yourself to listen to the alterations in the songs with an open mind, and realize that only honest musicians with a vested interest in providing their absolute best for their followers would make such changes.

As you anticipate their 3rd studio album, enjoy the growth and evolution of the Counting Crows illustrated on this project.