http://www.amazon.com/Liv...F8&s=music

According to Amazon, remastered versions of Live It Up and The Heat Is On are going to be released on one CD on April 3. Um, I hate to be greedy, but isn't the Isley remastering going in the wrong direction now? Showdown/Grand Slam was definitely needed, but why are they releasing these two albums on a disc when they've already been remastered and rereleased recently? I know Live It Up is pretty hard to find now, but wouldn't it be smarter to give us scarce or unreleased albums on CD like The Brothers: Isley, Get Into Something, Go All the Way, and Masterpiece?
[Edited 2/18/07 17:16pm]

Since Ron's got IRS bills to pay they're trying to generate an income stream for him. Frankly 3+3 and LIU! should been paired then HEAT & HARVEST, but I'm curious if there is really anything "bonus" left in their vaults. Couldn't find a songlist.

I've always considered LIU to be the most raw Isleys. "Lover's Eve" and "Ain't I Been Good To You" are killer tunes.

PFunkjazz said:

I agree that 3+3/Live It Up and The Heat Is On/Harvest for the World would make more sense. OTOH, they could be thinking that most people should already have 3+3 and doing it this way means they could do Harvest/Go for Your Guns and Go All the Way/The Real Deal to complete the 3+3 era (with Winner Takes All staying on its own as a double album on one disc and Between the Sheets bookending 3+3 as a standalone). Of course, it doesn't appear much thought goes into these decisions...

AlexdeParis said:

Better yet, issue "Live It Up" and "Showdown!" as stand-alone albums in the United States like they are overseas, finally reissue "Go All the Way," and essentially the best of The Isley Brothers' 3+3 era music is released as stand-alone albums:

* 3+3
* Live It Up
* The Heat Is On
* Harvest for the World
* Go for Your Guns
* Showdown!
* Winner Take All
* Go All the Way
* Between the Sheets

I'm personally indifferent to "Grand Slam," "Inside You" and "The Real Deal" being released as stand-alone albums (the band was derivative at that point and these albums sold considerably less than their other works), but I could understand if these three albums were released in one combination package.
[Edited 2/18/07 19:21pm]

Najee said:

Oops, I forgot about Inside You. Anyway, that's a better idea. I'd much prefer separate albums... especially if they're going to charge the same price for the 2-in-1 albums.

AlexdeParis said:

Yeah, "Grand Slam," "Inside You" and "The Real Deal" can be packaged together like how that three-for-one collection featuring "The Heat Is On," "Go for Your Guns" and "Between the Sheets" was released a few years ago. Charge somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 for it and that will be enough:



IMO, "Live It Up," "Showdown" and "Go All the Way" should be separate albums and need to be released. They each are essential to defining the 3+3 era, particularly "Live It Up" and "Showdown." "Go All the Way" featured one of The Isley Brother's biggest hits, "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time for Love)," and was the band's last critically succesful album before "Between the Sheets."
[Edited 2/19/07 7:12am]

Najee said:

my cousin bought this
when it came out

it's when I first heard
The Heat Is On
now it's one of my favorite albums

AlexdeParis said:

My suspicion is repackaging is the trick to getting people to re-purchase. Isleys don't seem like the type that harbored alternate or extra tracks. Also after LIU! they moved away from doing covers pop-rock covers. So there might be some of these tucked away.