Customer Reviews

Are You Ready for the Big Show

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

I only received this cd yesterday afternoon and I've already listened to the whole thing twice. Every single song is great, a feat that few cds can accomplish these days. Radney is an incredibly talented songwriter and I admire him for taking hold of his career and doing it on his own terms. I look forward to seeing him live someday.

Radney Foster and his band are incredibly talented. His sound is unique, fresh, bluesy, blue-grass. Powerful lyrics. It is my current favorite album. In fact I am listening to it as I type this. This album is for someone who is trying to get away from pop country and listen to real music.

I was and am a big fan of the old group Foster and Loyd and this album brings me back to those time. Eventhough Loyd is not singing with Radney Foster anymore, this album is great. The song "Folding Money" is worth the purchase of this album. This album has a stong Texas feel and makes you want to open a Shiner Bock on a Texas summer night and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Those of us who were big Foster and Lloyd fans want to hear the old stuff but Randy comes through with some new songs like Tonight that are catchy and fun.

My favorite Foster and Lloyd song, Texas in 1880 is enhanced in this newer and fresher track that was not recorded live and with Pat Green doing the parts that Bill Lloyd sang.

Foster has a hard core following and will be part of the music scene for many years to come. I'll thrilled that the Dixie Chicks recognize this great talents and started recording his song. Foster and Lloyd's success as songwriters have often overshadowed how good they are individual performers and I am thrilled Foster gave us a chance to hear what he sounds like live. If he ever gets close to Kentucky (his tours seem to go from one end of Texas to the other end of Texas only) I will be there.

Don McNay...

I am listening to the album as I type! Song playing? Folding Money. I am more of a new Radney Foster fan. I wasn't old enough to enjoy Foster and Lloyd. I do enjoy their recordings now! This album is the best live recording I've heard, simply because the emphasis is on the music. Not the crowd. You can sing along with it. Besides that, the songs are great! I just wish he would have did a live recording of "Texas in 1880." That is my favorite song of his. While the new version is great, although I like the old Foster and Lloyd version better. Any true country fan should buy this album. Foster is surely better than some of country's bigger starts, such as, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, etc. I am kind of glad he has not reached that level of success, because I think that kind of success would hurt his music, at least for what I like. Anyway drop whatever you are doing and get this album at your local grocery! You will not be disappointed!

Until a few weeks ago, I had not heard of Radney Foster, but then I saw the "Everyday Angel" video from his 2002 released CD "Another Way To Go". Then as I wanted his CDs immediately I was trying to find some of his CDs in the local stores here in Las Vegas, but nobody had a CD stocked, and I was just glad that Amazon.com had them in stock and offered his CDs at a discount price. Anyway, I was positively surprised to find all these rare gems throughout this CD. "Are You Ready for the Big Show?" is a relaxing album with great ballads which have country undertones seasoned with some R&B. It sounds like it that Radney had a blast in recording this CD. Several songs are definitely songs that are a Must-Have in every CD collection, especially "I'm Used To It" and the Foster classic "Folding Money." But there are also great songs like "School of Hard Knocks" and "Nobody Wins" and "God Knows When." This CD offers over 1 hour of original music! Despite so much talent out there, it is very hard to find quality singer/songwriters like Radney Foster. As funny as it is, sometimes Foster reminds me lightly of Bob Dylan and then again here and there of Van Morrison, but of course he has established his own distinguished voice. Don't expect polished commercial country junk, but great arrangements with a slight rough edge to it. Definitely an excellent CD!

The record has an awesome middle track "Went for a Ride". It's an interesting and true story coupled with outstanding slide guitar work. Mr. Foster cuts no corners with this collection of new and old songs. A must for any record collection.