Customer Reviews

Live at the Bottom Line

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Forbert's latest live release, his third in the past five years, is the first to document his recent compositions and live-show. This seventeen-track disc records a mid-2000 performance at New York's Bottom Line, and highlights music from his last few LPs. Included are six tracks from 2000's "Evergreen Boy," three from 1995's "Mission of the Crossroad Palms," and one from his 1996 release, "Rocking Horse Head." Earlier material is present in "Goin Down to Laurel" and "You Cannot Win (If You Do Not Play)" (the latter in medley with Chuck Berry's "Nadine"), from his 1978 debut, and his only Top-40 hit, "Romeo's Tune" from the 1979 sophomore release, "Jackrabbit Slim."

The early tunes also turned up on Forbert's other two live releases, albeit incarnated by somewhat different touring groups. His latest four-piece edition of the Rough Squirrels shares players with the same-named band on 1997's "Here's Your Pizza" (itself a document of a 1987 date), but 1996's "King Biscuit Flower Hour" (documenting a 1982 performance) has an entirely different band. The current edition of the band is focussed and tight, providing a variety of folk-rock and rock backings, with more than a hint of MG-like soul (especially in the opening guitar that borrows a legendary Steve Cropper riff).

This is mostly a fans-only release, as the flavors it adds to the studio tracks are subtle, rather than revelatory. The dearth of introductory or between-song chatter turns this into more of a restatement of recent recordings than a reproduction of the concert experience. Those whove attended Forberts shows will enjoy how this recording captures his current set list, but those whove yet to cotton to Forbert's songwriting talent and idiosyncratic vocals won't find much of anything new to latch on to here.

3-1/2 stars, if Amazon allowed fractional reviews.

Steve Forbert's been trolling through his considerable body of work recently and releasing one winner after another. This live,July 2000 concert makes a nice addition to Steve's recent releases 'Young Guitar Days' and the live in '89 'Here's Your Pizza". His earliest live album 'King Biscuit Hour' is still tops in my book, but that's only because I'm such a fan of his early stuff. This release finds him cookin' with gas ably backed by the fearless "Rough Squirrels", one tough and wiry road band that punches up Steve's gentler songs and burns high octane on the rockers. This time around the setlist focuses on post- 'American In Me' material for the most part, with terrific versions of 'Evergreen Boy', 'It Sure Was Better Back Then' and a really tasty version of 'Rose Marie'. There's lotsa stuff from Steve's 90's albums and he brings out the 70's stuff like 'Goin' Down To Laurel', 'Complications' and 'Romeos Tune' for the listening pleasure of old geezers like me. It rocks and it rolls and to quote the man himself it's "..so good to feel good again". Get this one and have yourself a well deserved smile.

Steve Forbert and the Rough Squirells are captured live at The Bottom Line and the band offers up 17 nifty tracks for folkers to savor. Forbert's unique vocal stylings are still intact and the band is spry and enthusiastic, and production is very good. Some of my faves are "Strange" and "Goin down to Laurel", and yes, he performs "Romeo's Tune" for anyone who cares to remember his biggest chart hit. Forbert has always been a low key sucess and this seems to suit him and his fans well. Although "Live..." won't set the world ablaze it still asks questions of how a talent such as Forbert can remain so annonymous when others mining the same genre achieve greater commercial sucess. Go figure, and check back at a later date with your response.

This CD seems to center on Steve's last two albums(Evergreen Boy} and (Rocking Horse Head). While I'm not a fan of most live albums, the sound on this recording is superb with the 5 piece Rough Squirrels playing as tight as a studio session. The highlight song is a beautiful version of "Rose Marie" which even duplicates the splendid electrified acoustic sound of the guitar work on Forbert's previous album. The only problem with this CD is it doesn't offer many of Steve's older songs(i.e. Streets of This Town or Born Too Late).

Steve Forbert continues to be one of the best kept secrets around and that is truly baffling to me. His self deprecating humor and songs of unrequited love continue to be gems. I only hope that he continues to record and perform long into the future for those of us who admire and appreciate his talent.

This is one of Steve Forbert's best c.d.'s. Anytime you can't make it to one of his shows, put on this c.d. and you'll feel like you're right there....