The Osmonds - Phase III/Live

2008 release featuring these two classic Osmonds albums on one disc, available for the first time on CD. The Osmonds may have existed in one form or another before and after their massive '70s success but this is the first time in over 30 years that their musical legacy can be experienced in full. Both Phase III and Live were released in 1972 and both hit the American Top 20. Phase III features 'Down By The Lazy River' and 'He's The Light Of The World'. Live features all their hits up to that point plus covers of some of the great songs of the era. Original LP artwork is complimented by in-depth liner notes and pictures of many European single sleeves. 24 tracks. 7Ts. Album Description

Takes me back, way back!

When I found out that Phase III was available on CD, I was beside myself.
I hadn't listened to it in ages.
I foolishly gave all of my vinyls away years ago.
I punched that baby into the cd player in my car and was immediately transported back to my bedroom, 12 years old, rocking to the Osmonds!

I'd have to say that the song that defines Phase III is "He's The Light of The World". It's such a strong recording.

A great beat and an incredible message. As devoted Christians, these guys make no apologies for their beliefs and I applaud them!

"In The Rest of my Life" is a truly beautiful love song.

I found myself singing along as if over 30 years hadn't gone by. I remembered almost every word.

The "Live" part of the cd is enjoyable.

But I find myself playing Phase III over and and over.

Gotta love the end of "Don't Panic".






June 16, 2008

It's about time...

...these discs were reissued! These albums represent a musical transition for the Osmonds. I had not realized until I read the insert notes that Rick Hall and the Osmonds had split during the recording of Phase III (I thought the split had come afterward), but that explains the inclusion of songs like "My Drum", an underrated rocker which hints at the musical direction in which the boys were headed (the notes incorrectly credit Jay, not Merrill, as lead singer, and Jimmy, not Jay, as being co-writer, of "My Drum"). The brothers' desire to play rock'n'roll couldn't be more obvious than on Live; the precise, raucous muscianship exbibited on well-chosen, faithful covers of "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling", "Proud Mary/Free" and "We Gotta Live Together" might still catch some less-informed listeners by surprise. Donny's innocent angst on signature tunes such as "Puppy Love" and "Hey Girl" reveals a musical sensibility and depth too many unfairly wrote off as insubstantial teenybopper music. The boy knew what he was singing about, and it's no wonder the pre-teen girls swooned, because they knew what he was singing about too. Taken together, these albums clearly show a progression from the Osmonds/Homemade albums toward the more substantial rock/pop of Crazy Horses/The Plan, and they reflect the Brothers' increasing control over their music.

I lost my original recording of Live years ago, but the song list on this reissue seems to match my memories of the original American release. The double-tracking mentioned by another reviewer is there, but it's not so obvious that it detracts from the music's listenability. Otherwise, the sound is very good, the notes informative (despite the mistakes listed above), and the packaging generally better than most previous reissues.
June 11, 2008

What An Group

The Osmonds has got to be one of the best groups from the 70'S that is still around even through Alan has MS i'm glad to see him and his brothers back with an new dvd and cd you go guys. Here is two more great alumbs from the Osmonds Phase-3 and Live both are just that live in concert.

Rondall May 30, 2008

Approaching their best.

These two albums were probably the biggest selling of the Osmonds' career in the US. 'Phase III' is good, if a little patchy, and although it showed growth from the brothers' first two MGM releases, to my mind their best work came on their next couple of studio LPs.

The 'Live' album is infamous for not being that 'live'! At the time of it's recording the brothers were all sick and the results were so diappointing that they were made to re-do some of their vocals. You can tell, too, as many of the tracks have a 'double-tracked' sound to them. Still, it sounded like a good show and I was surprised to find out from the sleevenotes that the 'Live' album was a double LP in America whilst in the UK it was 'slightly edited' to fit on a single album. Which version is here I'm not sure but this version of 'Live' lasts nearly 49 minutes.

Both albums sound good, clear and 'full' but there are glitches. There's a fair bit of hiss on the quieter tracks and 'Love Is' has a shaky start. Also, 'Don't Panic' and the live version of 'Down By The Lazy River' have a couple of bad 'dropouts' that really take you out of the songs. Don't get me wrong, it's not the end of the world, but it's a shame these flaws couldn't be fixed as you know that everytime you hear these tracks these errors are going to annoy you!

Overall, a good effort, though I've deducted a star for the above mentioned problems with the remastering. I always was a picky devil, though! May 18, 2008

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