Wu Tang Clan:
Disciples of the 36 Chambers

Release Date: 18 October 2004

Reviewed By: Melisa Tang

1. Bring Da Ruckus

2. Da Mystery Of Chessboxin'

3. Clan In Da Front

4. C.R.E.A.M

5. Wu-tang Clan Ain't Nothin Ta F'Wit

6. Shame On A Nigga

7. Ghost Deini

8. Re-United

9. For Heavens Sake

10. Criminology

11. Incarcerated Scarfaces

12. Brooklyn Zoo

13. Bring The Pain

14. It's Yourz

15. Liquid Swords

16. One Blood Under W

17. Ice Cream

18. Truimph

19. Hood

20. Run

21. Run

22. Tearz

23. Method Man

24. Dog Shit

25. Shimmy Shimmy Ya

26. Y'all Been Warned

27. Gravel Pit

Talib Kweli - The Beautiful Struggle
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The Wu are one of the best-loved groups in hip hop, no doubt about it. So you can imagine the delight of their fans when it was announced that the Wu Tang Clan were releasing a ‘Live in Concert’ CD and DVD. The recording in San Bernadino, California, in July this year, was one of the first times in a long time that all of the Wu had gathered together on stage to perform live for the crowd, so it was definitely a special occasion.

This LP is the audio of that momentous event – and it certainly doesn’t do the performance any justice. Just ask yourself this question: which would you rather own, the DVD with complete footage of the concert, or the CD album with just the audio? Go figure!

Having just panned this album, I can see the good aspects of releasing a live LP. Firstly, there’s the times when you might want to rap along with RZA, GZA, Raekwon and the crew in your car, just so that you can reminisce. Secondly, what if you don’t own a DVD player? This would be the second best thing, right? This album covers all the Wu classics such as ‘C.R.E.A.M.’, ‘Wu Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin’ Ta F’ Wit’ and ‘Bring The Pain’ – another plus point in my opinion.

Even so, it’s just not the same. Hearing the energy of the Wu Tang on stage makes you wish that you’d been there to witness it – just listening to it really doesn’t even compare.

The recording of the audio is also appalling – you still get that buzz from your speakers when the volume’s on low, and the squeaking on the microphones doesn’t help at all. It’s a real shame, because this LP could have been up there with the ‘MTV Unplugged’ albums, featuring artists like Jay-Z and Lauryn Hill. Unlike these though, where the audience noise is minimal, this Wu Tang live album still has the cheers and screams from the fans, at times drowning out what Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, ODB and Method Man have to say. With over 10,000 fans in attendance, it’s no wonder you can barely hear the Wu Tang rhymes.

When there are also appearances by Redman, Street Life and Cappadonna as well, you’re bound to feel somewhat cheated in buying the album when you could have bought the DVD. However, Sanctuary Records seem to have picked up on this, and have made this album an enhanced CD, with two RZA videos, ‘Chi Kung’ and a clip for ‘Grits’, as well as exclusive interviews with RZA, Masta Killa, and Method Man to name a few.

The album isn’t all that bad, it just could do with being much better. We all know what the Wu are capable of, so why spoil this and release both a CD and DVD? All real fans will go straight for the DVD and it’s understandable. After all, if you had the choice, wouldn’t you?

Rating: 2 out of 5

Favourite tracks:
1) Bring Da Ruckus
4) C.R.E.A.M.
5) Wu Tang Ain’t Nuthin’ Ta F’ Wit

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