Joy Division - Live At Les Bains Douches / Paris December 18 / 1979 Vinyl

If Preston finally provided a live Joy Division experience that was worth the purchase price, Les Bains Douches trumped it and then some. The band often complained that Martin Hannett's groundbreaking production inevitably quashed the direct force of the group in a live setting, which Les Bains Douches demonstrates in spades, with the space in the songs toned down in favour of commanding an audience. The musicians in particular are who really stand out this time around - while Curtis' singing is much more audible here than on Preston, it's the direct smack of Morris' drums, the fierce growl of Hook's bass, and especially Sumner's sheer volume mixed with almost-frightening control that dominates this performance.

Track Listing –

• Disorder
• Love Will Tear Us Apart
• Insight
• Shadowplay
• Transmission
• Day of the Lords
• Twenty Four Hours
• These Days
• A Means to an End