Live From Austin Tx (Dig)

Neko Case | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 9, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New West Records
• ASIN: B000KCI9U6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,609 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What k.d. lang branded "torch and twang" might serve as a starting point for a description of Neko Case's music, but the uniqueness of a style that incorporates country roots, punk attitude, and supper-club sophistication defies classification. Her 2003 debut performance on the Austin City Limits series (also available on DVD) showcases Case's artistry in a stripped-down setting, with stand-up bassist Tom Ray serving as a one-man rhythm section, Jon Rauhouse providing multi-instrumental virtuosity on banjo and a variety of guitars, and Kelly Hogan supplying impeccable harmony support. Case was touring at the time behind her Blacklisted album, though the setlist strays farther. On "Hex," written by Freakwater's Catherine Irwin, Case and Hogan could pass as the Louvin Sisters, while Bob Dylan's "Buckets of Rain" receives a languid reading punctuated by Rauhouse's Hawaiian lap-steel guitar. "Deep Red Bells" emphasizes the western side of country & western, with the more experimental "Maybe Sparrow" combining banjo and edgy atmospherics. Throughout, the bare-bones arrangements let the songs breathe and Case's voice soar. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good for completists, not her best work, August 22, 2007

By 

a superintelligent shade of the color blue (minneapolis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live From Austin Tx (Dig) (Audio CD)

If you're the kind of person who already owns Blacklisted, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, Furnace Room Lullaby, and perhaps even Canadian Amp or The Virginian, then definitely buy this album. But if you're new to Neko, or have maybe one album and are looking to expand your collection, pick up the other albums I listed first. And if you're looking for live Neko, start with The Tigers Have Spoken. In general, this is the last album of hers I'd recommend - although I still recommend it, on the grounds that I recommend that serious music lovers should own everything Neko Case has ever recorded!

The problem here is that it's too sparse and downtempo to sustain a whole album. It's an interesting experiment for a while, but several songs need a fuller sound, and the overall flow needs some uptempo. It's a good album to have in a shuffle mix on your iPod, but not to listen to straight through - try one of her phenomenal studio albums for a taste of what she can do with pacing!

Don't let this discourage you from buying this album, though... just buy other Neko Case albums first.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This generation's Patsy Cline, March 25, 2007

By 

S. Jagodzinski "Off The Grid Fan" (Eden Prairie, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live From Austin Tx (Dig) (Audio CD)

Neko Case is this generation's Patsy Cline only with more attitude. Her appeal crosses over multiple genre's but you can't quite categorize her. Pick up any of her catalog and you'll find yourself searching for more.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting style, January 20, 2007

By 

Up The Stairs (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live From Austin Tx (Dig) (Audio CD)

Neko Case offers an interesting approach to popular music and progressive country. Having heard her latest album, Fox Confessor, I was eager to see her live. This DVD was my next best opportunity. She played with a small ensemble of tight musicians and a back-up singer, and they played surprisingly well, if not dramatic. Neko seemed extremely nervous on the Austin City Limits stage, and she admits to being over-joyed to be on the program. Nonetheless, she was very adept at playing her music, which is a mix of country, folk, and light jazz-rock. It will be interesting to see where she goes from here. I would recommend this performance if you haven't seen Neko case, or even if you haven't heard her music. She is a very interesting singer.