Staff Reviews

Sonic Youth - Smart Bar Chicago 1985

Review by Noel Gardner

Smart Bar – Chicago 1985 is not going to change perceptions of either Sonic Youth or live albums: it’s a decent recording strictly for fans. Maybe you’re one.»

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closerare, unearthed gig from the band's early prime... a live multi-track recording in a small bar in 1985. features rare photos and liner notes. in the fall of 1985, sonic youth were touring the states following the release of their bad moon rising lp. this show at chicago's smart bar was recorded on 4-track cassette and consists of live versions of most of the songs from that album, early performances of 'secret girl' and 'expressway to yr skull' (later to be released on evol) and a rare, never-before-released live rendition of 'kat 'n'hat.' mixed and mastered by the band from the original tape source, this single-cd / double-lp edition includes liner notes by gerard cosloy and sonic youth engineer aaron mullan, plus unpublished photos by pat blashill and steven koress. the ideal archival offering would meet a list of criteria: it should be an unreleased and sonically compelling recording of an amazing performance, which not only sheds some light on the known sonic youth catalog for the serious aficionado, but also captures the attention of the general fan. it's a pretty tall order, but this tape from chicago 1985 fits the bill.. the earliest live multitrack of a sonic youth show known to exist.
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