Product ReviewsR.E.O. Speedwagon/R.E.O./T.W.O. by REO Speedwagon (CD, Aug-2007, 2 Discs, Beat Goes On)

Early REO

The first two albums by REO Speedwagon finally receive an EU release on CD. I was planning on getting at least the second album before Gary Richrath passed on this September and I feel he wanted me to get this. For the début from 1971, I wasn't sure about Terry Luttrell as frontman as I grew up with Kevin Cronin leading the way but this one holds its own and holds a lot of promise for the band even if they still played schools and bars after getting signed. Neal Doughty is the only member from this period who been there from day one to this very day. After Luttrell had a row with the rest of the band (which may have inspired the title of the current lineups most recent original album Find Your Own Way Home) he was replaced by Cronin on the follow-up album. He left during the sessions for Ridin' the Storm Out but returned for good in 1976. The generation gap is addressed in Anti-Establishment Man, Five Men Died Today, Music Man, Dead at Last and Golden Country. A long way before Can't Fight This Feelin' and Keep on Loving You. BGO Records also released the next four studio albums on double CDs like this (all of the Mike Murphy period and Cronins return). Every band start somewhere though REO had a few lineup changes before these were recorded (Richrath joined in 1970 and helped steer the band for nearly the next two decades). However, two albums could fit onto one CD so the first four could have been sold together in a two CD set similar to that other band from Illinois that REO toured with decades later, Styx.Read full review...

Verified purchase: No

REO 1 # 2 double CD was a surprise

I have been looking for a CD of REO1 but could not find one anywhere. Then I came across this double CD *1 & 2" and decided to take a chance. I am more interested in quality recordings because I listen to music on a old McIntosh solid state system and enjoy quality sound. I didn't think this would deliver especially because it has been re-mastered but I was wrong. Both CD's sound very good, especially for the price of $10 and some change. And really, you are not spending that much money to try it for yourself. REO1 is one of my wife's favorite albums from the early 70's. It was recorded I believe in 1971. Give it a try, I think you will like it.Read full review...

Verified purchase: No

Digitally-remastered R.E.O. Speedwagon one and T.W.O.

5-piece R.E.O. Speedwagon was tight from the start. Gary Richrath's guitar work soared with the best. I was very taken by R.E.O./T.W.O. when it hit Milwaukee in 1974 or so (no national playlists back then; all locally-owned and directed radio stations). Incidentally, without a radio hit the first album was a great buy in the cutout bins.
Disc 1: 1971's Luttrell-powered debut album. The first three songs are very strong, especially "157 Riverside Avenue," which will never leave you once you hear it. The others are more in line with the quaint album cover--except heavy "Sophisticated Lady" and most of prog rocker "Dead at Last."
Disc 2: 1972's R.E.O./T.W.O. with replacement vocalist Kevin Cronin hammers home the fact that R.E.O. Speedwagon was a first-rate and at the time upstart, American rock band, who peaked then and there artistically, with songs like "Like You Do," "Being Kind Can Hurt Someone," and "Golden Country." Also very bright and spirited is the Boots Randolph saxophone work on track three, Chuck Berry's "Little Queenie," so very original for hard rock at the time and so incredibly effective injected here.
This 2-CD remastered version is clear and exciting and includes liner notes. This is a must have: R.E.O.'s pure, hard rock phase, parts one and two.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: bargainbinmedia

Early REO

This is just good typical early 70s Rock & Roll. I remember these songs being played at local clubs back in the 70s. I never actually owned a copy back of these particular albums back then, but I loved the style of early REO and thought I would take a chance. Plus, like I said, I had heard some of these songs in clubs. I now own all the the REO studio albums up through 'You can tune a Piano, but you can't tune a Fish'. In my opinion these were the best years for REO. 80s REO was ok too, but the 70s REO was great clubbing music.Read full review...

AWESOME CDS.

Great quality great value i recommend the CDs.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: get_importcds

Great

Fast delivery and good product

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: get_importcds

CD

Awesome Deal, thanks!!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: get_importcds

REO - As real as it gets.

Gary Richrath is not only a very good friend of mine, but I still believe that REO's first two albums were the best they ever recorded. No sudio crap, just hard rock and roll at its finest. I would recommend this set to anyone that enjoys REO to add it to their collection.Read full review...

R E O 1 & 2

I AGREE THAT WHEN REO LOST GARY, THEY LOST THE HEART OF THE BAND. THIS IS WHAT REO SHOULD SOUND LIKE TO THOSE WHO REMEMBER THE GARAGE BAND FEEL OF THE MUSIC.