Are You Ready for the Big Show? [ENHANCED] [EXTRA TRACKS] [LIVE]

Radney Foster

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 26, 2001)
• Original Release Date: May 15, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Extra tracks, Live
• Label: Dualtone Music Group
• ASIN: B00005CCAW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #114,955 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Recorded over two nights in September 2000 at Austin's Continental Club, Are You Ready for the Big Show? stitches together a handful of Radney Foster favorites, five new songs, a little stage patter, and the whoops of an adoring crowd to produce a compendium of good-time Texas roots-rock. Aswirl in organ, slide guitar, and twinkling mandolin (courtesy of Nickel Creek's Chris Thile), the first four tracks sound like so much fun you won't notice they're all about hard luck and heartbreak. Things drag a bit in the middle--blame the far too precious "Went for a Ride"--but Foster recovers quickly with a sharp version of his 1992 hit "Nobody Wins" and a blazing pair of tunes drawn from 1999's See What You Want to See: "Folding Money" and the set-closing "I'm In." The likes of Pat Green, Jack Ingram, and brothers Bruce and Charlie Robison may aspire to the success of Robert Earl Keen, but this disc offers a better role model. --Anders Smith-Lindall

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Essence of Radney, July 4, 2001

By	Barry J. Rozas (Mamou, LA USA) - See all my reviews

Here it is. Radney's first live recording is a feast for any Radney Foster fan, or any fan of well-written country/pop songs. He says he is into 'Americana' now, but his arrangements still have that twangy feel of a country music song, and he has got some excellent players on this one backing him up at the famous Continental Club in Austin.

Bonus hidden tracks include a studio version of Tonight and a new version of 'Texas in 1880', one of my favorite all-time tunes from the old Foster & Lloyd days.

My personal favorite cut is a new song he wrote, 'School of Hard Knocks." It shows off Radney's talent of catching a hook and a story in the same song.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Album of the Year, September 22, 2001

By	Al Kunz (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

A few years ago a friend convinced me to go see Radney at a club in Houston, TX. I hadn't been listening to country music in years and was somewhat reluctant. From the first song I was hooked. I saw why Foster's songs have been covered by everyone from Hootie & the Blowfish, to the Dixie Chicks, to Poco. On this release Radney is backed by a great band including Chris Thile (Nickel Creek) and Mike McAdam, who is one of the best guitarists in country music today. Tonight/ Ain't gonna be the same old same old, starts the chorus to the opening track, and that's what you get. Some great new songs mixed with some of the better old songs such as "Nobody Wins", one of the best songs ever written. The band sounds as tight live as you'd expect from a studio album, while still capturing the energy of the live performance. Blending catchy lyrics that still tell a story with a blend of country, pop, and roots rock without a bad song in the bunch. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS ALBUM!, October 22, 2001

By	Cheyenne_1976 "Kelli" (Bar Nunn, WY) - See all my reviews

Radney Foster may not be mainstream, but he should be! This live album showcases Radney at his best! There isn't a bad song on this album. The highlight is his remake of the Foster & Lloyd classic, "Texas In 1880," sung with Pat Green.

I hope radio gets its hands on this fine album. Radney deserves airplay - and number 1 hits!

Radney's songwriting and his strong, wonderful voice carry this album from beginning to end with a fervor. "Nobody Wins" sounds different than the studio version. Radney fires through it with an intensity so deep it shakes me every time I listen.

Buy this album and you will wear it out! And let's hope Radney starts getting more airplay!