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.


a seminal live album   July 27, 2003
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

what a live album should be. Do you see the number of songs and the price they are asking? What a deal!

This is the reward for supporting a band for years - being able to get such a nicely produced, packaged and delivered live version of so many songs.

This band goes all out in their live shows and this collection is the next best thing to being there (and better in some ways - such as when you've seen them live and someone else is inexplicably sharing top billing with them, affording them not much more than an hour of playing time!)

Counting Crows prove their worth in a live venue, so this one's definitely worth it.


Good live album from a great band   January 26, 2005
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful


I'll admit that I bought this live album and maybe listened to it once or twice in the first year I had it. Not sure why but I just wasn't interested. How thing's change.

The first disc, from VH1 Storyteller's is an excellent introduction to the band's more acoustic side. There are a few really good performances on this disc but I find it to almost be too mellow...not really in a bad way though.

The second disc, from MTV's live at the ten spot is more upbeat and rocking. Really not a bad performance on this disc. My favorite would have to be A Murder Of One. The only complaint I can find on this disc is that the sound quality isn't quite perfect although it's far from bad.

I own alot of live music and this is really quite good. I would definitely reccomend this disc to anyone getting into the crows or fans of band's such as dave matthews band, matchbox twenty, etc.


The beginnings of one of the greatest bands ever   July 25, 2005
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

This live double album released originally in 1998, was produced after Counting Crows had just recorded their second album, the incredible "Recovering the satellites'. It contains an unbelievable acoustic set they recorded on August 1997 for VH1 and a live performance recorded on November the same year for MTV.

Why would both VH1 and MTV record a live album for a band with only two albums? You'll get the answer by listening to it. This album proves how good musicians and virtuosos they are, the vocals of Adam Duritz and the feeling with which he sings are the perfect complement for their music and lyrics. This live recording is very different to the ones we are used to in which you listen to song arrangements that sound exactly the same as in the original album but live; the Crows take their live performances to a whole new level by always surprising with new arrangements or with acoustic versions of their songs. Compare for example `Angels of the silences', the song is included in both discs but in two versions that you wouldn't believe you are listening to the same song, and both quite enjoyable.

There are two flaws I found on these discs; the first one is that in the storytellers' disc the stories are missing! (How come?) And the second disc besides having a not too good sound quality sounds a little pretentious sometimes, as if they wanted to project a rock band image regardless of the talent they have and that the versions could have been made with a little more quality. There is a bonus track on the first disc, `Never go to New York City', not listed on the case but a nice added value to an already enjoyable album.

Overall a very good album, my personal favorite is the acoustic set on disc 1, but the two discs are perfect proof of why Counting Crows still remains as one the greatest bands there are, in times in which music suffers from excessive commercialism, they will always be there surprising with each new album and evolving as they always have.



around here we always stand up straight...   February 7, 2000
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This live box set has to be the best Counting Crows songs the way they were meant be sang. The first disk is slow and moving while the second disk is heavy and rocking proving the Counting Crows can truely move an audience. Personally I was a little upset they didn't put the version of Anna Begins from the Live at the 10 Spot but it's still great on Storytellers. It's a great set of cds for fans. Adam changes lyrics changing which adds to the songs we all know and love. I think this is their best work.