Ramones
Greatest Hits Live

THE REVIEW

The Ramones: 2263 concerts in over 22 years of career that established them as the greatest punk band of all time. The first, historic show was on March 30th, '74; the last took place on August 6th, '96.

February 29th '96, just over 5 months before the band from Queens took the stage at "The Academy" in NY, in front of their hometown audience, to play one of the many concerts of their farewell tour, but also to record their third official live album: the one that would simply be called with the emblematic title "Greatest Hits Live". Hometown audience, as I was saying, "Here we are... home sweet home New York City" the first words of Joey following the classic spaghetti western introduction with "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and the burst "Durango 95", this live is ready to start.

"Blitzkrieg Bop", "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio", "I Wanna Be Sedated": 3 classics that require no explanation, the band is there, ready and reactive; the cover of "Spider Man" is the first gem worthy of note, present only as a hidden track in the last album "Adios Amigos" but quickly became a classic. Other classics shot at the usual hypersonic speed: "I Don't Wanna Grow Up", "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" and "Rockaway Beach", the notable factor is Joey: those who know the Ramones are aware that in the 90s, especially, the great frontman showed evident signs of wear, many years on stage had obviously worn him out, and the first signs of his ailments were noticeable; weighted down and fatigued, he barely holds on throughout the songs. The old lion tries still to roar with all his might, but he doesn't quite make it.

At this point, CJ steps in, the bassist who some years earlier replaced the now gone Dee Dee, totally lost for the cause; "Strength To Endure" and "Cretin Family": 2 tracks from "Mondo Bizarro" and "Adios Amigos", respectively. A note for this particular member is due: it was not an easy task to take the place of the previous, legendary, Dee Dee, but over the years CJ has earned the respect and admiration of all the band's fans, his total dedication to the cause as well as the precious support he provided Joey in live shows. The young man, as said, gives breath to the great vocalist with 2 excellent pieces, particularly the first one.

Ready to go again with 2 more classics: "Do You Wanna Dance" and "We're A Happy Family" where the famous singer returns, his shape doesn’t change, but the result is certainly dignified like the rest of the album; after "The Crusher" (a Dee Dee piece originally included in his first solo album, under the unfortunate name "Dee Dee King"), with CJ once again on vocals, the last 3 "53rd & 3rd", "Beat On The Brat" and the great closing "Pet Sematary" represent the pinnacle of this live show: 3 typically amphetaminic pieces to end yet another concert. To finish it all, we find 2 rarities: the cover of friends Motorhead "R.A.M.O.N.E.S.", this time sung by Joey instead of CJ, and "Any Way You Want It", cover of The Dave Clark Five. These are, in fact, the last studio recordings of the group.

This is certainly not the best live album of the great New York band, it is not that extraordinary operation, which more than an album was a true live anthology, of "Loco Live"; neither is it the milestone "It's Alive", but a very dignified testimony of the last Ramones, those who in a few months would put an end to their legend entering directly into the myth.

This "Greatest Hits Live" will be followed by "We're Outta Here", the fourth and last live, excluding posthumous releases, of the 4 brothers; a live one full of guests celebrating like a party the last day of school, the last day of their unrivaled history. In the end, it can be said, in favor of this record, that compared to the previous "Loco Live", it is less substantial and rich, but more faithful to the punk concept: 16 pieces for just over half an hour, these were the great Ramones.