Customer Reviews

Larger Than Life: A Celebration of Steve Goodman and His Music

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Steve Goodman died way back in 1984. A gifted singer, guitarist and songwriter, he never found the fame he deserved in his lifetime, but his songs and his reputation seem to be immortal.

Shortly after his death in 1984, there was a trbute album, A Tribute to Steve Goodman, featuring a lot of Old Town School of Folk Music artists. Thirteen years later, in 1997, a second tribute to Steve and fundraiser for the Old Town School was recorded to a sold-out show at the Medinah Temple. This time, the artists included Arlo Guthrie, Iris Dement, Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne and John Prine. The emcee was the great Studs Terkel. Now if you don't know who these people are - and apparently an earlier reviewer didn't - then you should skip this album. But if you loved Steve Goodman - and I am an unabashed fan - then this DVD belongs in your library.

A songwriter who appeals to that wide a selection of artists, all of who remember him with love, affection and awe, had to have something going for him. Beyond the music, there are interviews with Guthrie, Browne and others. And a tour of the remodeling of the Old Town School of Folk Music. The only mystery is why this album took 10 years to hit the streets.

I was at a John Prine concert night before last. John sang "Souvenirs," a song Steve produced. He dedicated the song to Steve, as he always does. And after every home victory by the Chicago Cubs, the fans all sing Steve's "Go Cubs Go."

Steve lives on in his music. See what all the fuss is about. Buy this DVD.

This DVD contains performances of 8 songs by a total of 7 singers (John Prine does 2 songs). If you are a fan of any of the singers (Arlo Guthrie, Iris Dement, Todd Snider, Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, John Prine) and want to add to your collection it might be worth the price. Some of the singers also are interviewed in the bonus footage. If you are a fan of Goodman I would guess getting a performance DVD of him would be more satisfying as it would hopefully contain more songs. I recall some longish testimonial talking between songs and a very long bonus segment of Goodman's memorial street sign and the building of a new Old Town School. Perhaps more emphasis on the music would have improved things as I imagine more than 8 songs were done at this concert.

My wife and I attended this concert and loved it, so I was quite excited to learn it had been released on DVD. Or about half of it was. Live, each singer performed at least two songs, one of their own and one of Goodman's. On the DVD, we are only treated to the Goodman songs with Kathy Mattea's performance left out completely as was the group singing "City of New Orleans" at the end of the concert. The videos used at the beginning of the concert were not included and Arlo Guthrie's performance was moved to the start of the DVD instead of retaining its place later in the concert.

Nevertheless, the footage is good and it is a great reminder of the evening. Goodman's lyrics are given wonderful intepretations by Iris Demint, Lyle Lovett, Jackson Browne, Todd Snider, Emmylou Harris, and of course John Prine and Arlo Guthrie. The special features (three interviews, a tour of the Old Town School of Folk Music, and the dedication of Steve Goodman Way in Chicago) are a nice addition.

I was at this concert in 1997, and I couldn't be more thrilled to find the DVD. Also, if you're a big fan of Studs Terkel and as sad as I am at our loss due to his passing, you must buy this. Studs is at his typical best. He's so animated and is even standing without cane in this video.

Now, to fans of Steve Goodman: this concert was memorable. I wish the DVD included the videos of Steve that were shown that night. Plus, I really wish the DVD featured Arlo Guthrie discussing the classes he took at the Old Town School of Folk Music where he was "encouraged" to learn how to play every folk instrument known to man. Arlo then proceeded to play Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watch Tower" on a ukelele. It was great. However, the DVD captures Iris Dement, Lyle Lovett, John Prine, Jackson Browne, Todd Snider performing some of Steve Goodman's most memorable work.

Chicago and the world lost two incredible human beings when Steve Goodman and Studs Terkel left the planet. This DVD captures Studs at his best and gives tribute to one of our most creative song writers.Weades Moines Video Goodman S-tribute-larger Than Life-celebration Of Steve Goodman & His [dvd]