Billion Dollar Babies Deluxe Edition CD

Reissue produced for release by David McLees, Brian Nelson & Bill Inglot. This is a 2 CD set. First CD is the original tracks of the “Billion Dollar Babies” album that’s reviewed above.
The second CD is recorded live in Dallas & Houston, Texas on April 28th & 29th of 1973 plus 3 bonus tracks. The only two songs that’s not included was “School’s Out & “Under My Wheels” from those shows.
This is so far the only official recording of the original band that’s out. Although some unofficial records like “Live At The Whiskey A-Go-Go” and “The Toronto Rock N’ Roll Revival Concert of ‘69” among many bootlegs floating around.
The musicians on this tour included the original band with additional musicians Mick Mashbir on lead guitar and Bob Dolin on Keyboards. Two performers who played characters on stage are The Amazing Randi as Dentist and Executioner. This was also the first time that the guillotine made it’s appearance that was also created by The Amazing Randi who was a well known magician in his time. The other performer was Cindy Smith who played the Dancing Tooth. Cindy is also the sister of drummer Neal Smith & wife of bassist Dennis Dunaway.
I really enjoyed listening to the musicians who actually created this music and hearing them perform it live in their heyday. This gives you the extended version of “I’m Eighteen” which Alice adds a line responding to Don Mclean’s “American Pie” song .

I ain’t 21, I ain’t 22, I ain’t 23, 24, 25
I ain’t no american pie
took my Chevy down the levy but the levy went dry...

All the other songs sounded pretty much as you hear it on the studio versions only louder.
I sometimes don’t enjoy live recordings due to the crowd noises during the sets but the audience cheers in the beginning and end of each song. So you get to listen to the band without any outside interference. As for the 3 bonus tracks “Coal Black Model T” and “Slick Black Limousine” are the same song only the latter one is a revised version. Alice does an Elvis vocal on this rock-a-billy tune.
The other is “Son of Billion Dollar Babies” or also noted as “Generation Landslide” out take. Alice reminds me of Bob Dylan during this song with almost a nasal sound. I don’t know if he was listening to Dylan while recording this but it just reminds me of Bob. The lyrics are shorter than the finalized version and it also doesn’t have the harmonica which I love on the studio recording. But it’s still a good song and interesting in how they progressed in the creative process.

Artwork: This is on a CD so it’s just like the original only smaller and no Billion Dollar but shows a folded one inside of the wallet like case. I don’t know if they planned it but it shows part of Alice and full image of Glen Buxton as the dollar is folded. If it wasn’t intentional it’s a happy coincident and fitting tribute to the late great guitarist Glen Buxton.
Inside the 24 page booklet gives you some concert pics mostly of Alice Cooper.
Inside includes a liner note by Rhino Records V.P. David McLees. There is also a well written article by New Times columnist Brian Smith who is also a musician from the group The Beat Angels and formerly of Gentleman After Dark. Brian Smith gives an excellent account of each song and what went on behind the scenes. I found this very informative and interesting read. The booklet includes the lyrics, track list and credits. It’s very well done & put together with a lot of thought in mind.