|
BabySue
RECORD REVIEW
June 2003
 |
In
his many years of making music (as a founding member of Uncle Tupelo
and Son Volt and then later as a solo artist) Jay Farrar had never
released a live album. Now that Farrar owns his own label (Transmit
Sound, formerly Act/Resist Records)...he can pretty much do whatever
he wants whenever he wants to do it...thus, the release of this
live disc. Live albums usually feature inferior versions of songs
fans are already familiar with. But in the case of Stone, Steel
& Bright Lights, Farrar has come up with a rather stunning collection
of tunes accompanied by the Washington, D.C.-based band Canyon.
What is most impressive about this album is Farrar's vocals. The
man's sense of pitch and control in a live setting is phenomenal.
Surprisingly...many of these tunes are as good or even better than
the studio versions. In addition to previously released tunes, the
album also features two new songs ("Doesn't Have To Be This
Way" and "6 String Belief"). This is a hefty CD...featuring
a total of nineteen tracks. The official release also includes an
eleven song DVD featuring concert footage from Slim's in San Francisco.
Easily one of the best live albums released this year. (Rating:
5)
|
