I finally got my hands on a copy of the deluxe reissue of Murmur, which also features a 1983 concert on the second CD of the set. I asked for it for Christmas, but didn’t get it so I used some of the gift card money I got to order it.

I listened to the Murmur disc and, as usual, loved it. I can’t tell what they jazzed up from the original release, but am sure it sounds better. I heard a DJ on XM the other day kind of complaining that they released a re-mastered version since the album was already released on CD.

First off, I don’t think it was originally released on CD since the format didn’t gain major popularity until a couple of years later. Secondly, who cares? Third of all, the concert from Larry’s Hideaway in Toronto from July 1983 makes it worth the purchase price.

For someone like me, the second disc is no surprise. I have heard this entire show – four songs were cut for this release – plenty of times before. In fact, Michael Stipe’s entry before the encore where he seemingly shuts down people requesting songs by saying “No” repeatedly always cracked me up, especially since they played some of the songs people were asking for just a few minutes later.

But the real treat should come for people who don’t spend their time listening to R.E.M. bootlegs. If you have never heard the live sound which helped make them so popular, you are really missing out. This disc opens that door for so many people.

The live show shows why producer Don Gehman several years later brought out Billy Berry’s drums in the recording of Life’s Rich Pageant. The drumming played such a critical role in the success of their live sound. You can really appreciate how he held things together while also throwing in little things which made the songs stand out.

You also really get a feeling for why albums which don’t prominently feature Mike Mills’ backing vocals just fall a little short. After all these years, I still can’t tell what I love about his voice. It just seems to work alongside Stipe’s, more so live than anywhere else.

All this goes along with what people usually mention about their sound – the jangly guitars, more pronounced here without all the studio effects, and Stipe’s unique word play. Still, that’s not really why people should listen to this show.

At its core, R.E.M. is a party band. They grew out of relentless touring at bars and other small venues. When stripped down to just three instruments and a lead singer, they produce music that makes you want to bound out of your seat and dance with a cheap beer in your hand. The 1983 version of R.E.M. didn’t have long political interludes from the lead singer. In fact, when he tries to tell one story during the show, the opening of the next song cuts him off. Peter, Mike and Bill had heard enough – it was time to play.

Some of the positive reviews last year for Accelerate mentioned how you hardly had time to catch your breath between songs. That’s how their live shows used to work. And if you like “Radio Free Europe” jazzed up and slowed down in the studio, you’ll love it live with raw power and passion.

The extra price of this deluxe edition might scare some people off who think the additional disc is a gimmick, but I think it’s the opposite. Buy this for the add-on and just accept the fact that you now have a second copy (or third in my case) of Murmur.