Customer Reviews

Live From New Jersey

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Pete Yorn scored a major hit in 2001 with his debut album "musicforthemorningafter", and followed it with a much less acclaimed (critically and commercially) "Day I Forgot" in 2003. Hard to find is the excellent 2001 limited release "Live at the Roxy", capitalizing on the debut album's success (it contains an excellent cover of Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark", a concert staple in those days.)

"Live from New Jersey" (2CDs, 20 tracks, 91 min.) was recorded in Fall 2003 and actually has been available throught Yorn's website since January of this year, but now gets an "official" release. This release gives a full concert performance of Yorn, and he shines. The set mixes up tracks from both studio albums, but rightly emphasizing the stronger debut album (10 of its 14 tracks are featured here, including all the classics such as "Strange Condition", "On Your Side", "Black" and of course "Life on a Chain"). There are 7 tracks from "Day I Forgot". The remainder tracks are covers and one new song. Pete Yorn is at his best throughout, and thorougly relaxed, with much banter throughout. Check out in particular the closing track, a medley of the Springsteen cover "Atlantic City" with his own "Murray", just beautiful.

While it makes you wonder why another live album, "Live from New Jersey" is Pete Yorn at his best. The question is of course whether his next studio album will match the quality of "musicforthemorningafter" or the disappointment of "Day I Forgot", only time will tell. Meanwhile, "Live from New Jersey" is a thorougly enjoyable listen throughout.

I almost didn't bother with this one. I loved Pete Yorn's studio albums, but played them to death. Another 2-disc set just seemed too "Been there, done that."

I couldn't have been more wrong. This is a tight, outstanding concert, bristling with energy, & Yorn is backed by a first-rate band that give these familiar songs an unexpected freshness. Top that off with outstanding production qualities. By the end of what could so easily have been an overlong, artist's vanity project, I found myself pushing the "Repeat" button!

He had already proven he could write, that he was a solid musician -- He played most of the instruments on the "...MorningAfter" album-- Now add "solid concert performer" to an already impressive resume.

BTW-- Nice to hear Elvis' "Suspicious Minds" minus the schlock that stripped the rock-'n-roll out of "The King's" rendition!

I was turned onto Pete Yorn when "Life on a Chain" was handpicked on MTV2. That was enough for me to buy MUSICFORTHEMORNINGAFTER. "Black," "June," and "On Your Side" are my favorites, and they really come alive on LFNJ. If you love "On Your Side," the intro will throw you a bit, but you'll fall in love with the song all over again.

I didn't buy DAY I FORGOT because I didn't like the album versions of the songs, but LFNJ changed my mind about all those songs, except one. I loved "Crystal Village" from the moment I heard it, but you'll develop a newfound appreciation for the song when you hear it performed live.

The best thing about this album, other than the music, is hearing Pete come alive. He goes through the songs kind of fast, but you get the feeling that he's at ease and loves performing for his home crowd. Whereas the other albums might not give you a sense of what Pete Yorn is like, this album does. Examples: PY dedicating "Bandstand in the Sky" to Elliot Smith, although written for Jeff Buckley; talking about his old job; admitting who he really stole "Crystal Village" from.

Final note: For drive time, either heading into work or going home, I recommend the trifecta on Disc 2: "On Your Side", "June" (extended because Pete loves it so much...and so will you), and "Crystal Village."

I was only a casual Pete Yorn fan. I bought DAY I FORGOT, and liked it enough to throw down $15 to MUSICFORTHEMORNINGAFTER (+Bonus Disc). I listened to both albums and the bonus disc for a little while until they found their way to my shelf.

I founf out that Yorn was releasing this live CD, picked that up and consider me completely converted! This show was is full of energy. The so-so songs on the albums become great, and the great songs become better. The covers are solid, and Yorn's voice is better than it is on the albums!

This is better than John Mayer's ANY GIVEN THURSDAY, Jason Mraz's TONIGHT, NOT AGAIN, and Ben Folds' BEN FOLDS LIVE! This is the best live album to come out in years! I love it!

Since I have yet to see this man perform live, I have to settle for "Live from New Jersey." I ordered the live album on Yorn's website and was not disappointed with it.
One of my favorites on the album is the first disc opener of "I Feel Good Again." Plus, to hear some of my all time Yorn favorites such as "Long Way Down," "On Your Side," and "Turn Of The Century" made the album all the more exciting for me. I also enjoyed hearing Yorn talk about his adventures when he was younger in the particular New Jersey neighborhood. If your a Pete Yorn fan, this is an essential album.

Many people might be annoyed by Pete Yorn's "Eddy Veddar-like" voice. However fans love Pete Yorn and critics surely don't mind his whinning voice.

Live from new Jersey has snuck underneath everyone's radar. I had no idea Yorn was releasing a live set until days before it was released. And 2 discs? That is spectacular for even those people who haven't listened to Pete's previous two releases.

Live from New Jersey is an excellent album filled with practically all of Yorn's best songs. The piano is evident in a couple of songs including 'Lose You' on the first disc and the jazzy song 'Suspicious Minds' and softly driven ballad 'All at Once,' both on the second disc.

The production is nearly flawless, crowd particapation is limited and perhaps edited out or toned down. This is the right way to create a live performance. Fans do not want to hear the crowd drown out the music, and listeners don't want to hear the music drown out itself by poor editing and mixing.

None of those common live album mistakes are evident here. In fact, this 2-disc set is a great introduction and highlight for first-time listeners to Pete Yorn. Many songs begin with Pete Yorn telling them what he's playing. He isn't boring us by doing this--- very brief and then begins playing. The song Yorn wrote in honor of Jeff Buckley 'Bandstand In The Sky' is a wonderful tribute to the artist. The song is track 2 on the second disk. Even Yorn admits the song is sad but attempts to create an uplifting feel (and succeeds).

It's hard to give any album a five-star rating because Yorn's music isn't perfect, it's just really good. I wish I could give a four and a half star rating. The album is worth buying and I will be listening to it for quite some time.

I've actually had this double live album for about 6 months when it was released on his website only. WOW. The quality of this record is unreal. One of the best sounding live records i've ever heard, everything is crisp and clear. The set-list is a mix of Pete's best songs off of his 2 albums, along with a couple of covers sprinkled in. His version of Atlantic City is sweet. I actually find myself listening to this double-disc set more than i listen to his studio records, and that's saying a lot, seeing how his records are great. You should definitely pick this record up

this is a great collection of songs for the seasoned yorn fan or the newcomer. the sound quality is one of the best i have ever heard from a live recording. there's urgency in this performance and i hate to say it but i think this is better than his 2 studio efforts.

Pete Yorn is one of those guys that will never fit in a box. He just loves to make music. Sometimes you'd say he's a singer/songwriter - one of the best around. Next time you pick an album he's rocking the house like crazy - like on Nightcrawler.
Whatever you think he is, you've got to admit he's got character. As to writing songs, he's pure genius.
This magnificent live set, recorded in Morristown on October 29, 2003 (yes, just on one night), has PY shining with some of his greatest songs from the first two albums - but he of course doesn't stop there.
Check out the opener I Feel Good Again by Junior Kimbrough (terrific keys by Joe Kennedy)
You thought you knew Suspicious Minds? Take in Pete's version and think again.
The recording is state of the art - like being there, lost amidst the fans.
While you get this one, please also click into the samples of Break Up, the album he did with Scarlett Johansson. A lot of people don't seem to like her voice but I think they add up perfectly. Four stars for that one.

It's a live album, no big suprises here. However, this is a very good live album. They kept Pete Yorn's pre/post song dialog which makes for some interesting stories or backgrounds of the songs. Sound quality is good. Definitely recommend.