Death Party

About

This 19-track collection of live recordings is one of a handful of semi-legitimate releases floating around under the title <i>Death Party</i>. The collection provides an invaluable view of the Gun Club concert experience, from when the young band was at the peak of its powers. The first 12 songs were recorded over the course of 1981 at three Los Angeles venues: Club 88, Program Studio, and the Starwood. The Gun Club was never more electrifying than on these performances of “Preach the Blues,” “She’s Like Heroin to Me," and “Devil in the Woods,” which rival their well-loved studio counterparts. Very few bands were as good at building tension and releasing it in a nightmarish torrent. Tracks 12 to 19 are taken from shows in Italy and Al’s Bar in downtown L.A., during 1982. With the addition of bassist Patricia Morrison, you can hear the group morphing into a more churning, swampy style on “For the Love of Ivy,” “Death Party," and “Fire of Love.” The great lost oddity is the group’s rendition of John Coltrane’s “Love Supreme,” which becomes a magnificent showcase for Ward Dotson’s searing guitar.

via Apple Music