Live

by Gary Hill They just don't make them like this anymore. In fact, even in the day they may have made albums similar to this, but they made few live albums of the genre that were this good. Frank Marino always seemed more real and more accessible than many of his contemporary guitar heroes. He had a sense of melody and taste that most of them never really got down in the same way he did. That is what makes this live album as good as it is. It is no wonder after listening to this one that many think he is the true rock guitar hero -- despite what Ted Nugent and his supporters might say. From the opening notes of "The Answer," it is obvious that the band came to rock, and they know how to do it right. There really are no weak cuts on this one, as it is truly one of the quintessential live albums of the '70s. It is also a fine showcase for Marino's style of bluesy rock jams. It's really a shame that this band never got the credit they deserved, because they were one of the greats. Marino even shows his courage by covering "Purple Haze" (amongst a few other covers), despite all the negative press he received as being a Hendrix wannabe. Truth be told, Frank Marino was the guitar man of the 1970s, and this album really bears witness to that fact.