Tommy Stinson told his hometown newspaper back in 2007 that the reason the Replacements never released a live album is because, quite simply, "there are no good Replacements live recordings." Fortunately, the newly issued "For Sale: Live at Maxwell's 1986" proves the bassist wrong. Here are five more known recordings that could do the same, if properly released.
5 more Replacements live albums worth issuing
Other known Replacements concert recordings could see the light of day.
1. "Soundcheck 1981" (7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, Sept. 5, 1981): This no-nonsense set from early in the band's (and the venue's) existence was properly captured by a mobile studio and film crew hired by Twin/Tone Records, who also caught a fine Hüsker Dü set that night. The 'Mats guitars were a little out of tune, but so what?
2. Club Lingerie, Los Angeles, Oct. 26, 1984: A relatively high-quality audience recording that finds the band fresh off the release of its most celebrated album, "Let It Be," and offers several strong cover songs, too.
3. "Inconcerated: In Full" (Milwaukee, June 1989): Former Sire Records executive Michael Hill said the recording of the full concert — whittled and issued later that year as a rare six-song EP — is in the vaults "and it's awesome," as the band pulled together with new guitarist Slim Dunlap and unleashed more anthemic and ambitious songs off the "Don't Tell a Soul" album.
4. "It Ain't Over 'Til the Fat Roadies Play" (Chicago's Grant Park, July 1991): This popular bootleg is historic as the final gig before the band split up. It has a fun, old-school 'Mats spirit to it, and it's worth hearing the band's last lineup with the late Steve Foley on drums.
5. St. Paul's Midway Stadium, Sept. 13, 2014: Whether or not the one and only hometown gig on Westerberg's and Stinson's reunion run with the replacement Replacements was the best of the bunch — it beat out the other four shows I saw — it was certainly the most meaningful.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
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