Live 1976-1998 : Tonight's the night

"Much of the best stuff is the earliest because there's still a rawness to his performances, but the surprising thing is how hard the 1976-1981 disc rocks -- the records may have been slick but his concerts weren't -- and how impassioned the early-'90s cuts are; the 1993 "Cut Across Shorty" is as breakneck as his original studio version from 1970. Sometimes the old pro gets a little too slick -- this is especially true of the set-closing versions of Brit-pop standards "Cigarettes and Alcohol" and "Rocks" -- but the amazing thing about Live 1976-1998 is how often Rod delivers, always sounding assured, big-hearted, and ready to party".

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