Customer Reviews

Live in Amsterdam

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Ok, lets get this straight: this Relix cd, "Live From Amsterdam 1985" is not a reissue of the 1972 double- lp set "Live In Amsterdam". It is, however, a reissue of the 1986 Relix lp "Live From Europe" but with five songs added. Of course, that cd which is still apparently being made (?) is not the 1990 cd "Encore-Live In Europe". Whew. So now that everything is understood... This is a thoroughly entertaining cd, containing the entire 1985 gig in Amsterdam. The lineup of Greg Harris on guitar and vocals, Sneeky Pete on steel, Skip Battin on bass and vocals and drummer Jim Goodall had also had another live cd from Relix the previous year, "Cabin Fever". This one is more interesting due to a few less obvious selections and a few originals as well. Best of all: the bluegrass instrumental 'Burrito Jam', a fine rendition of Gram Parsons' 'Blue Eyes' and the very best version of the old Burrito classic 'Hot Burrito # 2' ever captured on record. 'Come A little Closer' and a very bizarre rendition of Skip's Byrds classic 'Citizen Kane' also make this cd well worth picking up.

This 1985 line-up was not among the best. John Beland and Gib Guilbeau had called it quits (temporarily) so Greg Harris, Sneaky Pete, and Skip Battin recruited a drummer and attempted to return the band to its roots. Unfortunately, they didn't have the creative drive that the underrated Beland/Guilbeau team had. The musicianship is great, but the 1985 group took a big leap backward. Harris' strained vocals didn't help much either. The sound quality is miles above the very poor "Cabin Fever" CD (which features the same line-up), so, if you're curious, get this one. If you are not familiar with the FBB, don't start with this one.