Orb* – Live 93

This album could really use a remaster. Can't speak for the vinyl, but the CD has issues. Of course it's live, so it won't be perfect, but the performances are fine. The problem is the audio levels from track to track.

Through both discs, the volume is all over the place. Dynamics are fine, especially in ambient, but "Towers Of Dub" shouldn't be 10db louder than "Blue Room" right after it. If you set a good level at the start, "A Huge Evergrowing..." will sound so quiet by the time you get to it. ReplayGain might help, but why should I have to do that?

It's not unlistenably bad, but they really should've known better when mastering this. It's harder to sit back and relax with The Orb, when you're always reaching for the volume knob.

Interesting that this has never been reissued on CD or LP since the late '90s. Given that their other Island albums have had the deluxe CD treatment as well as vinyl reissues, this is a bizarrely glaring omission.

I looked very much forward to getting this at the time of release back in 1993, but it left me wanting. None of the tracks improve on the studio versions, and the sound quality isn't the best. If it hadn't been for the exclusive tracks Valley and Plateau, it would be a rather non-essential purchase.

The album that keeps on giving... EVERYTHING else is plain in comparison... Do yourself a favour, give this a lick.

From beginning to end this is the most satisfying release by the Orb. Odd considering it's a series of live recordings. But then again the Orb were probably in their time a much more potent band to see live than to be holed up with a bong at home. Similar to the Dead or Pink Floyd who are again heavily borrowed from in cover material and theme. The songs contained are still recognisable for what they are. But they are certainly stretched to an inch of their lives in set and again probably in post production. Most of the material released here had at one point or another seen the light of day in various non-official and suspect in quality bootleg recordings which were circulating around the time of this epic live release. A goodly portion found home in the Tripping on Sunshine boot that came out immediately following this.

Agreed, the intro to "Little Fluffy Clouds" has to be one of the best I've ever heard. Ignoring the actual subject matter (Listen and find out), it's VERY quiet. This makes you turn it up. A minute or two in, a deep bass-drum style "Heartbeat" comes on, better hope you have a good system when it kicks in. An amazing track.

it´s the most mindblowing orb release. the others are maybe more clever and continuos but the element of chaos and imrovisation makes it more soulfull.