MattA75's Full Review: Live on St. Patrick's Day by Dropkick Murphys
You never saw The Clash at the Palladium or U2 at the Paradise or caught any of the gigs The Ramones used to do in the beach dives along Quincy Shore Drive. You wish you had, but you didn't. But there's still a chance to catch The Dropkick Murphys before only stadiums can handle their fans...
There are some things that are Boston. The Red Sox are Boston. Pahking the cah in hahvahd squahah is Boston. The Toxic Twins are Boston. The Bosstones are Boston. But you know, as far as the musical torch of being Boston goes, right now, no one, and I mean no one, is Boston as much as local Irish punk rockers the Dropkick Murphys.
The above italicized quote is from local author Dennis Lehane. He nailed it perfectly. The Murphys are thisclose to being the next big thing to hit from Boston, and they are going to hit HUGE when they do. It's inevitable. Their joyous mix of punk with traditional Irish folk isn't the most original (Shane McGowan, you there?), but it is hugely enjoyable.
Last year, the band overtook the Boston club known as Avalon for two St Patrick's Day shows (a matinee and an evening show) with the idea being they would make up a live album. There's just one problem. You see, the band got so drunk, their performance (with regards to putting out a live album) was awful (if you were in the audience, you enjoyed the show, believe me, but it's not something that should be captured on disc).
This year, the band decided to clean up their act. From Friday March 15th through Sunday March 17th, they played before almost 4500 screaming, loyal and loving fans. So was born Live On St Patrick's Day (From Boston, MA at the Avalon Ballroom). Yes, I was there on St. Paddy's Day (see review), and you know what? As good as this disc is (and at nearly 75 minutes, it's f*cking good), it doesn't come close to experiencing it.
Of the 25 tracks on here (not including the short intro), there are old favorites (check out Boys on the Docks or Barroom Hero) and new chestnuts from the band's most recent studio outing, 2001's highly excellent Sing Loud, Sing Proud (check out the absolutely gorgeous Forever and the infectious Spicy McHaggis Jig).
It begins with bagpipes running straight into a frenetic For Boston, and it ends with a "bloody pig pile" on stage (to quote the back of the CD) to the tune of Skinhead on the MBTA.
In between, the Murphys show they know their biological roots (you gotta love Which Side Are You On? and Amazing Grace), while also showing they know their musical ones (a sped up Fortunate Son from Creedence Clearwater Revival and an appropriately drunken Alcohol, originally done by Boston punk rock icons Gang Green.
The audience plays an integral role in this disc (and no, that is NOT the case with all live albums). On 80% of the tracks, you can clearly hear the audience screaming along in unison in the background, and that's not counting the numerous verses and choruses they take over when the band asks. Yes, Boston took the "Sing Loud, Sing Proud" posters seriously.
Personally though, the highlights of the actual concert remain the highlights of the disc. The Gauntlet (which appears way too early on this disc I might add) is rousing, especially considering what tomorrow is ("Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!"). Meanwhile, Good Rats is about as joyous a recording as you'll hear in this post September 11th world.
Hell, by the time the band hits their stride on their cover of the classic Boston song Dirty Water. Because you can literally picture the smiles on every member of the band's faces, you yourself can't help but crack one and sing along. Oh hell yes, Boston, you are my home.
The only disappointment lies in the fact that Kay Hanley's performance with the band of The Dirty Glass didn't make the cut. That my friends, is the best song of the year thus far. But you won't find it here unfortunately (it appeared on a Split EP the Dropkicks appeared on back in February).
In terms of a live album capturing a series of moments on stage, this disc delivers. In terms of a live album capturing the essence of a band, this disc delivers. In terms of essential live albums, this is as close to Alive as the Murphys could ever possibly come.
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