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a great Piece of History
Here are the sounds of yesteryear captured through the voice of a fascinating character (Dewey Phillips) who introduced me to the real Blues via his dj chatter when I was a teenager.Yes this is Nostalgia with a Capital"N". The arcane vocubulary, the primitive broadcasting (including the scratchy, over cued 78's, and of course the classical blues of the South are all on this CD. (Even the first Ricky Nelson recording appears from a late spring 1957 broadcast.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. If 50s radio was defined by the unique personalities of the likes of Alan Freed and Wolfman Jack, Dewey Phillips hails as King of the unique.    2. Jazz    3. Jazz Music    4. Pop    5. Rock & Roll    6. Rock/Pop   

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Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country/Bluegrass    3. Honky Tonk    4. Outlaw Country    5. Traditional Country   

Editorial Review

Luckenbach was virtually a ghost town in the Texas hill country when local rancher John R. "Hondo" Crouch bought it up in the early '70s and turned it into a laid-back small town, in the process building an anything-goes dance hall of his dreams. Jerry Jeff Walker recorded his breakthrough progressive-country album Read more

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One of Jerry Jeff's best!!!
I truly enjoyed "Viva Luckenbach."I found it to be one of JJW's best efforts.Tying in the reunion at Luckenbach was a stroke of genius that helped provide the magic that was produced in the 70's.Thetitle song was brilliant, as was "What I Like about Texas" and"I'll Be Here By Morning." I thought the best song on the cd was"Keep Texas Beautiful".As with nearly all of JJW's best work,he includes some poignant autobiographical tunes."Little Man"and "The Gift" were excellent.And also true to form, JJW has a"just for fun song" like "Gonzo Compadres."Before Idie I hope to get to Luckenbach and Belize and take in JJW live andkickin'.Until then, cd's like this one will keep me "gettinby."

Jerry Jeff grows up but not quite old
There is a common story shared by Jerry Jeff, Jimmy Buffett, and Hank Williams Jr.;youth and wildness, plus talent, will make you wealthy enough to settle back and rest on your laurels.The old fans will be therefor you and still identify as they settle into their own new, peacefullives. Viva Lukenbach is a 360 from the drunken beer joint jam of theelectrifying Viva Terlingua; the ballads ring with wisdom rather thandespair, and the uptempo numbers chug along like a freight train but neverthreaten to derail.It would be false to say that this record is exciting,but hey ... comforting is not such a bad thing to be.And when there aretunes as strong as "Some Phone Numbers" and "I'll Be Here Inthe Morning," why quibble about a slower pace? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country & Western    3. Pop    4. Progressive Country    5. Singer/Songwriter   

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Boots Randolph "live" is Boots at his BEST!
I've had this fantasic CD for a few years. It details from the first cut to the last, exactly why Boots Randolph is the greatest sax player that there's ever been! Boots is always a peak performer, but never has hewailed and sailed on sax like this live album! For musical excitment thatWOWS you every time you listen to a CD, you can't miss on any BootsRandolph album, and you WON"T miss buying this CD, Gauanteed!! When itcomes to saxophone playing mastery in any sytle of music played impeccablywell, so filled with technical genious, a life time of know-how and deepemotion, there is only one sax player out there who ALWAYS DELIVERS! If youplay one note on sax or play any style of music on sax, you OWE BootsRandolph, because he wrote the book on the sax! Just one listen to this CDall the way through, will flat lay out out and BLOW YOUR MIND, BootsRandolphs playing is THAT PHENOMINAL! Hell, don't take my word for it! GETOUT THERE AND BUY THIS CD IMMEDIATELY AND EXPERIENCE AWESOME FORYOURSELF!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country-Pop    3. Instrumental Country    4. Instrumental Rock    5. Jazz    6. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    7. Pop    8. Popular Music   

Editorial Review

With the aging of Kris Kristofferson into a venerable icon, it's been easier to appreciate his voice as weathered, whereas the younger troubadour more often heard his vocal style dismissed as wooden. No matter--as confirmed by this 1981 taping for Read more

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Live from Austin - Kris at his best -J. from WA
This is a marvelous rendition of many of my favorites.
Kristofferson live and at his singin/songwritin' best!
Performed in '81, this concert takes us back to the days when Kristofferson was still a "contemporary" songwriter...i.e., he was still having chart success as a writer.He has since become a legend (hell, he was a legend somewhere around the time his first song got recorded), and is an influence to songwriters of every genre, from country to rock, from folk to R&B. Ironically enough, all of those genres find their way onto this stellar live CD.
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Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country-Rock    3. Outlaw Country    4. Pop    5. Progressive Country    6. Singer/Songwriter    7. United States of America   

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Reviews (3)

Seminal bluegrass album
Like it or not, many listeners found their way to the great recordings of Ralph Stanley, Jim & Jesse, and Bill Monroe via the unexpected offramp of the Grateful Dead; that is, because this record had the name Jerry Garcia attached to it (never mind the other great players in the band), it became a must-own. (For other examples of this phenomenon, see "Merle Saunders, career of.")That said, this really is an album that captures the spirit of bluegrass's energy, and it is possible that Garcia, in between Dead projects, unwittingly made things easier for J. D. Crowe, Tony Rice, Norman Blake, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss ...

Thirty years of enjoyment
I've been listening to this album for thirty years.It was great then, it is great now.

AClassic
I am amazed that there are no other reviews for this album; although it is by no means a new release, hence may be regarded as a bit obscure, it is widely regarded as a classic. Garcia et. al. have a delightful way with these songs. Some are rock anthems and some traditionals, but all of these arrangements are bewitching. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Jazz    4. Popular Music    5. Traditional Bluegrass   

Editorial Review

Now that the world knows Ralph Stanley thanks to the ubiquitousRead more

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Like Being Live With the Doc...
I'm a young lad and although most of my peers had never heard of Ralph Stanley until "Oh Brother" made its debut I've been a devotee of bluegrass and old school country from way back.If you're into today's psuedo-country, flat-bellied, line-dancing, disco, top-40 junk you'll definately want to shy away from this record.On the other hand, if you're into true music performed and sung by real musicians then this is right up your alley.In February of 2002 I had the rare opportunity to hear the good Doc and his band play live in Jacksonville, Arkansas.Listening to this CD is almost like being back at that concert.The play list is largely similar (the recording was made within a month or so of the performance I heard) and features some great vocals, original songsmithing, and dandy clawhammer banjo picking.Having seen Dr. Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys in person I can visualize each performer as the good Doc introduces them on the album- from the wizened old boy that plays the upright bass ("the ex-mayor of Norton, Virginia") to the giant of a man that saws the fiddle ("He TOOK first prize").As a fan of live albums, this one ranks among my favorites.The audience is small enough that the applause doesn't overpower the music and the clarity and quality of the recording is great.If you're new to Dr. Stanley or a follower from way back this is a great album to get and one that I would highly recommend.

The best of ol' time country music
This is a wonderful, upbeat album with the "feel" of a live performance by this outstanding group pf musicians.My favorite tracks are Orange Blossom Special (the best performance I've ever heard) and I'll Wear a White Robe, as beautiful a song as Angel Band.There is somedown home humorbetween the songs.In short, this is the best album I've heard in a long, long time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Folk & Traditional    3. Pop    4. Traditional Bluegrass   

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Reviews (5)

Wonderful songwriter/storyteller
The late Townes Van Zandt was arguably the best country songwriter of the last twenty-five years.With lyrics that were poignant, intelligent and sensitive he weaved stories that were sometimes bitter, sometimes haunting and often hilarious. mournful intimacy
When I firstheard this I thought WOW! this is brilliant. These songs are so great and the tone of the album so satisfyingthat I thought these must be the definitive versions.His mournful voice and near perfect minor chord melodies and lyrics really hit hard.It's easy to get caught up in the romance of this guy's life and hearing the songs sung live with such intimacy is great.As I listen to more of his stuff, though, I hear better versions of many of the tunes here on other disks.Not bad but not essential.

so simple, so good
This is Townes in the perfect setting - live, and with minimal accompaniment.This cd contains what I belive to be the finest recording of "Nuthin'," with a flute providing haunting fills to Townes's dark, spare lyrics.The cd is full of fine versions, but if given the choice of only 1 cd from the TVZ catalog, I would recommend "Rear View Mirror," which is a live collection from this same era.However, this disc is a fine addition for any Townes Van Zandt fan. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folk    2. Folk & Traditional    3. Pop    4. Progressive Country    5. Singer/Songwriter   

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Fireworks! This CD has it all!
Of all the Live CD's out there. The top 3 favorites are #3. Bee Gees "Live"....#2. Jim Croce "Live"....#1. Alabama "Live". One of the 80's/90's best (concert) country groups is Alabama. When these guys put on a concert you could feel the energy, heart and soul pouring out into the stands. This CD contains some of their best hits from their first two Greatest Hits CD's but, performed live. From the first song "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down" to the last "My Home's In Alabama" this one delivers! Although they could have included the song that pays tribute to us "The Fans". Alabama Live is still worth listing to after all these years.

More tracks than the LP version
I have it both on vinyl and cassette, but the cassette has more tracks.This is one of the best live country albums I ever owned.And it's a bargain too.

Song List
For those wanting the song list, here it is:Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Country & Western    4. Country-Pop    5. Pop   

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Okay versions of great tunes
I am a huge Asleep at the Wheel fan--even waiting hours in a crowded bar across the street from Wrigley Field to hear "There ain't nobody here but us chickens..." LIVE AND KICKIN
THE BEST ARRAY OF COUNTRYMUSICIANS IN THE WORLD'SET THE TABLE' FOR THISFOOT-STUMPIN COUNTRY SWINGMUSIC.IF THIS MUSIC DOES NOT EXCITE YOUR TOES TO TAPPIN,THAN NOTHING WILL.

Great Toe-tappin' Stuff!
I've been listening to Asleep At The Wheel for about 20 years now,and they get better all the time. This is probably their best collection of hits,some tunes performed LIVE. You won't sit still for long listening to these tunes,just put it on your cd player and it's party time! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Country & Western    4. Neo-Traditionalist Country    5. Pop    6. Western Swing    7. Western Swing Revival   

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Mostly excellent
I happen to be a huge fan of hot swing music, especially of the original masters Django Reinhardt and Stephanne Grappelli. When Mark O'Connor's group came to my area, I didn't hesitate to catch them. It was a show of the most extraordinary kind. My first shock was at how great a guitarist Frank Vignola is and how well he captured the spirit of Gypsy Jazz, whilst giving it his own flavor. It was a night of virtuosic musical bliss. A true joy!
Not that there was ever any question, but Mark O'Connor can play the violin like few people in the world.I have been a fan of his "Americana" work for years, but I had never ventured into his jazz experiments.Well, thank god I finally did.This album is an absolute joy from start to finish.O'Connor is at the top of his game, effortlessly creating both blisteringly fast, almost fiddle-stlye runs and gorgeous, lyrical ballad work.I was not familiar with either of the men who back him on this album, but I intend to get familiar with them in the very near future, as both of them display a sensibility that is rarely matched in today's jazz world.There's a lot of attention on this album to the tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, but it never feels dated or even like these artists are trying to directly emulate Reinhardt or Grappelli.It's more of a celebration of that tradition and the artists never let themselves be confined by it.All in all, it's one of the few albums out there that is as fun as it is impressive.It's a blast!

Tribute to the master
Mark O'Connor headlined the Sunday night Strawberry Music Festival fall of 2001 and performed a very similar concert to what is captured on this disc, a tribute to the late Stephane Grappelli. It was a memorable performance and may have seemed original and inspired to listeners getting their introduction to swing jazz. Not that many years ago, however, I was fortunate to hear Stephane Grappelli and Bucky Pizzarelli play outside at Villa Montalvo. There's a huge difference between the young O'Connor and the (now deceased) old Grappelli. I suspect those with a recording or two of Stephane's will feel slightly disappointed with this. Perhaps it's the lack of O'Connor's use of the high harmonic that was a trademark of Stephane's style, or maybe it's my judgement that this album is trying to be someone else's, but there's something that misses. However, if you don't make the comparison, the album sounds pretty good, almost too clean for a live recording. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Pop    4. Swing   

Editorial Review

Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart take their marital partnership to the stage on this double-disc compilation of 23 songs drawn from various performances. Read more

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Just like being at one of their concerts
Mark Stuart called me last year to ask if he & Stacey could play at the Coffee House Concerts Series in Memphis, which I run.I knew their name, but wasn't overly familiar with their music.I asked for a sample and this is what they sent.All it took was one listen - I called Mark back and said, "Where do I sign?"They put on one of the best shows the Coffee House Concerts Series has ever seen, and this album is very much what it was like.If you ever get the chance to see them live, take advantage of it, you'll remember it for a long time.If you can't see them live, buy this CD - it's the next best thing.

Gotta Luv her!
I have seen Stacey and Mark in Concert at the Down Home, at Merlefest and own all their albums.Stacey is not only a voice but a personality.She can make you cry and laugh at the same time.Mark plays a great guitar and adds some great vocals.This live album gives the listener a great idea of what being there is like.Wish more DJ's would play her music...Jack ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Country-Folk    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

In spite of his many new forays into the world of acting, Randy Travis will always be country music's Great Stoneface, an unreadable character with one of the five greatest male voices in country history. Travis's singing is so rich, so spot-on, he could revarnish an entire patio with a single three-minute tune. Travis live is just like Travis on record, except that when he has a good audience there's a buoyancy not usually found on disc, which happens to be the case on this concert album. Clocking in at nearly 80 minutes, the CD is a companion to the DVD, released simultaneously, but it's more than just a Travis hits package: it's an hour and 20 minutes of Travis at his best, doing his best tunes, for an audience that really cares. It doesn't get any warmer than this. Read more

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Why, Why, Why???
I love Randy Travis, and I have yet to find a bad album in his discography.That's why I hate to include this in his discography. great live album
Just simply a great live album.A must have for any fan.

18 x 3 minutes of the same stuff
When travelling the States (frequently coming over from Europe) it�s hard to avoid Randy Travis on any of the stations, and I must admit that I have hummed along to a lot of his songs, too. Even bought a CD in 1998 because of the strength of hits such as as "Digging� up Bones" and "Out of My Bones".Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Country & Western    4. Neo-Traditionalist Country    5. New Traditionalist    6. Pop   

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Johnny Cash's classic prison album singing songs of darkness and rage,
Johnny Cash was a legendary figure of American music who often seemed the embodiment of an prophet from the Old Testament (and not one of the happier ones at that).With the upcoming release of the Johnny Cash bio-pici "Walk the Line," with Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter, there will once again be an impulse to want to listen to the man and his music, just as there was when he passed.But you really need to resist the urge to take the easy way out and listen to one of the greatest hits collections of The Man in Black (after all, the first Johnny Cash hits album came out forty years ago).Instead you track done one of the superb albums that he put out during his music career.
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Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country-Pop    3. Country/Bluegrass    4. Pop    5. Progressive Country    6. Rock & Roll    7. Rockabilly    8. Traditional Country    9. United States of America   

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out-freaking-standing
I was not a Darrell Scott fan until I picked up "theatre of the unheard" about a month ago.It is a pretty good album and I would recommend it to any one.However, "live in NC" is amazing.Musically and lyrically it is perfect I cant get enough of it, and have bought it as a gift for three people just so they can experience this incredibly great album.Once again I cannot give it enough praise.best live album I have ever heard!!

+1/2 -- Country-folk-blues power trio turns in stellar live performances
Though best known as a songwriter, having penned tunes recorded by Sara Evans ("Born to Fly"), The Dixie Chicks ("Longtime Gone"), Patty Loveless ("You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive") and many others, Scott's day job pays the bills for his own recordings and tours. On this live offering, captured at a pair of clubs in North Carolina (Ziggy's and Cat's Cradle), he teams with legendary drummer Kenny Malone and bassist Danny Thompson for a soulful country-blues jam.
All the skill, none of the over-production
Darrell Scott has been around for years, writing songs (many of them charted) and playing with the like of Guy Clark. His skill with a range of instruments is phenomenal and his voice (control, range, and interpretive skills) is a match or better for anyone who has taken Scott's songs into the country charts. This album suffers from none of the overproduction that marred "Theatre of the Unheard," his last album. (Just my opinion of course.) It's a terrific recording of a live session in North Carolina, with backing from musicians as skilled as he is. These cuts allow Scott's playing and great voice and delivery to stand out the way they should. This is a fine album! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Americana    3. Pop    4. Progressive Bluegrass    5. Progressive Country    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Singer/Songwriter    9. This live folk/rock/jazz/americana CD captures singer/songwriter/guitarist Darrell Scott (Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Sam Bush) performing electrically and acoustically with legendary upright bassist Danny Thompson (Richard Thompson, Kate Bush, J. Lee Hooker)   

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Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Country-Pop    4. Pop   

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An Excellent band go downhome and raise a rucus.
If you`ve never heard the Dillards before,get this one first.It`s their most diverse and telling of their music.Beginning with their Dad playing fiddle and singing the original high lonesome-going through thefolky/bluegrass of their early records-continuing in their next phase ofdreamy sounding background vocals(a la Beach Boys)-and finally electricbluegrass with full rhythm section...all in one live recording.The bandshow that they are humble masters and poke quite a lot of fun atthemselves(Mitch is hilarious as emcee)but dont let that fool you-This bandhas no musical peers-Yes,they are that good.The live performancesof"Old Man At The Mill"and "Daddy Was A Mover"are mypersonal favorites and really capture the sound of this event(concert intheir hometown of Salem,Missouri).In my opinion"Homecoming and FamilyReunion"should be placed on The Essential Recordings list for it is ahistory of great country music played in it`s element-and more importantlyit`s just really outstanding. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Country & Western    4. Country-Rock    5. Folk & Traditional    6. Pop    7. Progressive Bluegrass    8. Rock   

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Great guitar and a lot of fun
This is a very cool disc.Roy plays in several different styles ( Jazz, Country, Bluegrass ) and has some fun with the band an audience.There's some great playing and some of his best hits.A lot of fun and a good first Roy Clark disc to pick up if you're looking for somewhere to start. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country & Western    3. Country-Pop    4. Instrumental Country    5. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    6. Pop    7. Traditional Country   

Editorial Review

Wayne "The Train" keeps a-rollin' as the Austin honky-tonk hero struts his stuff in live sessions on his home turf, energizing the dancers and putting a smile on the face of anyone who prefers country music with an old-fashioned kick. The ex-Marine is a hard-core country traditionalist, but his devotion to swing--Western and otherwise--gives his honky-tonk fluidity. Read more

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Swingtime is Swing'n
Wayne and the band are having a great time with their music and all throughout this record you can hear that the crowd loves it too.
very addictive
I recently disovered the wonders of Accuradio and, in particular, the station TWANG. It is awesome. There are a few CD's that are in heavy rotation other than Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson. This is one of them, and for good reason. It sounds new and old, and Wayne's voice does have an uncanny resemblance to a certain Hank Williams. The music has this quality that you rarely hear of being familiar and completely unique at the same time. Hat's off to the band for making it sound oh so easy. It's toe tapping heaven.

A fun, relaxed live set
A great live set recorded down in Austin by hard-country hero Wayne The Train Hancock and his band, featuring Dave Biller on guitar, a bit of trombone tootling by Bob "Texaco" Stafford, and solid, lively backing by all the others.From the album title, I had expected Hancock to indulge his interest in jazz-standards and swing, but I ain't complaining that this is a strait-up country album instead -- not by a longshot!Really, it's amazing to hear anyone playing such as rough and rowdy, yet accomplished and historically aware kinda country these days, and this disc captures the energy and charm of Hancock's live shows pretty well.High points include his new version of "Thunderstorms And Neon Signs," which may actually outdo the original -- overall, another top-notch release!Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Country    2. Americana    3. Bass (Upright)    4. Country    5. Country & Western    6. Guitar (Acoustic)    7. Guitar (Electric)    8. Guitar (Steel)    9. Honky Tonk    10. Neo-Traditionalist Country    11. Pop    12. Rock    13. Trombone    14. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Records like this one explain why Norman Blake fanatics usually creep up to the side of the stage just to get a glimpse of Blake's fingers in action. Apparently, most of those fanatics belong to the Flatpick-L Internet mailing list, because this reissue was actually inspired by an intense Flatpick-L e-mail campaign! As his career progressed, Blake tended to de-emphasize his incredible flat-picking prowess, but on this 1976 date at the famed Santa Monica venue (Blake's first-ever West Coast appearance), he gives the people exactly what they want. Just when you think the master can't top his last chorus, he does just that with an incredible arsenal of rippling runs. Wife (now ex-wife) Nancy joins him for a few stately guitar-cello duets, but it's the solo-guitar pieces that truly amaze. Those Net geeks sure know how to pick 'em! Read more

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Greatwork
Nine pound hammer is absolutely a masterpiece for acoustic guitar and a very hard piece to play. Overlooked guitarist

Long ago but still fresh
I was in the audience the night of this performance, and I've owned the vinyl version for, holy cow, has it been twenty-five years? It is by far my favorite recording of Norman Blake's, simply because of the warmth that can come only from a live performance. With his wife accompanying him on cello, every note filled the little room with a clarity at once deep and sharp. Beautiful. Inspiring. If you get only one Norman Blake CD, get this one.

One of the finest flatpicking albums ever
This album is up in the rarified air of the very finest flatpicking albums ever recorded; in the same class as Dan Crary's "Guitar" or "Doc Watson On Stage". The playing is sensational, unbelievable.This is Norman Blake with flatpicking as his primary interest, unlike latermaterial which focused on ensembles and then on recreating old time music.The musicianship is dizzying; experimental, vibrant, flashy, lyrical,audacious; it doesn't have the polish of a studio album, but has awonderful live ambience. It is astonishing what a real master can do withwell-known material. This album will rightly be one of the standards bywhich flatpicking is measured. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Folk    4. Neo-Traditional Folk    5. Pop    6. Progressive Bluegrass    7. Traditional Bluegrass