Bruce Dickinson - Alive In Studio A

What's your thoughts on this live album from Bruce? I'm completing my solo Bruce discography with all the studio albums. Keep in mind, I'm a casual fan of live albums in general, but there are some exceptions. Is this doulbe-disc set worth getting for the performances or will it just be a filler in my collection?

I see there is also a 3-disc edition available with the Scream For Me, Brazil added in as well, which would wrap-up all 3 live albums nicely in one fell swoop.

Solo Bruce live albums? Buy 'em or skip 'em?

I personally like them. As long as you like Balls To Picasso because the majority of the songs are from that album.

To me they are not essiential. I play the studio stuff instead. If you wanna buy Bruce live, then the combopackage is probably the route to go for you.

You'd have to be a huge Bruce solo fan to get more then the combo. IMO.

I had dropped my copy of Alive In Studio A because at one time do to me trying to reduce my CDs (back when being a hardcore collector was not somthing I was trying to do) but want to recapute it and I also want Scream For Me Brazil so I may pick that 3-disc combo myself.

kmorg wrote:

To me they are not essiential. I play the studio stuff instead. If you wanna buy Bruce live, then the combopackage is probably the route to go for you.

I'll probably stick to the studio albums for now. Doesn't look like anything too "essential" on these live albums. No exclusive tracks or any wackiness like that.

Yea they are pretty basic live albums. Like Dallas said if you like Balls to Picasso stuff then you'll like it. I bought them just to complete the collection otherwise they aren't really essential.

I've had used copies of this disc in my hands a few times over the years but I've always passed on it. Not only am I generally indifferent about live albums, but if memory serves, both discs are essentially the same set list, and besides, isn't it the SKUNKWORKS era lineup playing on it? Blah!

Fat Freddy wrote:

besides, isn't it the SKUNKWORKS era lineup playing on it? Blah!

Yeah, but the music sounds the same, they are very capable musicians. You may have hated the Skunkworks album (I personally love it) but remember, even good musicians can write bad songs.

DallasBlack wrote:

but remember, even good musicians can write bad songs.

SpectreFate wrote:

DallasBlack wrote:

but remember, even good musicians can write bad songs.

Good example. While I do like that album it is the weakest Savatage album bar none.

DallasBlack wrote:

You may have hated the Skunkworks album (I personally love it) but remember, even good musicians can write bad songs.

Ehhh, I don't "hate" it but I certainly don't put it on the stereo very often. Put it to you this way: I avoided SKUNKWORKS till I found it a few years ago at a dollar store. For that price, it was a decent CD

I actually like the B-sides from that era (found on the 2nd disc of the BEST OF BRUCE DICKINSON collection), i.e. "Re-Entry" and "I'm In a Band With An Italian Drummer," better than anything from the actual album. Go figure.

Most of the Dickinson solo stuff is new-ish to me, but I haven't found a clunker in the bunch yet. I like everything I've heard so far. If anything I'm pissed I waited this long to start getting his stuff.

I liked it alot, it pretty much sounds like studio versions anyway, just a little more raw. Which for me meant better.