Customer Reviews

Live One

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a marvelous album! Everyone agrees Greg's deep DEEP voice is amazing to listen to, and his performances are humorous, poignant, and honest, but the writing on "Canned Goods" is absolutely the best thing he has ever done (IMHO). It is so lovely and nostalgic and funny and sad that I cry every time I listen to it (which is why I can't play this album in public). And the comic bite of "Just by Myself," and "I Don't Want to Have a Nice Day" is like the best Mexican food, sharp, spicy, and just delicious. I am a huge fan of Mr. Brown, have many of his CDs, and for my money this is the best one (yet). If you've never heard this brilliant folk singer songwriter, buy this album, and if you are a fan and don't know this one, lucky you for what's in store.

This CD is a folk song gem. The songs are a wonderful combination of humor and haunting recollections of growing up in the midwest. Greg Brown does not take himself too seriously, and in doing so, says a lot. My favorite song is the one about fishing on the Laughing River "way, way, way up in Michigan."

His voice is like the rumbling of a thunderstorm as it sweeps over the prarie miles away. His lyrics are as simple and as true as an ancient mid-western farmer. His guitar playing makes you feel like you are sitting on a front porch during a warm summer rain. For anyone who enjoys folk, rock, or just some down-home strummin and a pickin, "The Live One" is a must-buy CD. His lyrics are at times playful, at others powerful, and always beautiful. His masterful guitar playing and stomach rattling voice all come together to create an "every-song-is-great" CD.

I picked up Greg Brown's "The Live One" after seeing him here in Logan, UT. Greg is one of the few artists able to sell out this town, and after hearing this CD you'll know why. Greg really connects with his audience in an exceptionally deep way. Every time I hear "Canned Goods," I end up writing my own granma. Truly special.

I echo the previous review. Loved Happy By Myself and Canned Goods (the funny ones). But, Greg is also great with heavier ballads (Billy from the Hills and 52 Vincent). Give him a try.

Greg Brown is at his best in live performance. He is funny and engaging and his ability to spin a yarn is unparalleled. Just as good as his songs are the brief interludes in between. Just By Myself is hilarious. Canned Goods is both a touching and humorous account of his holiday trips to Grandma's house. An epic song.

Listening to this album, I get the feel of being in an intimate little midwestern coffeehouse - the next best thing to actually being at the concert. Greg Brown's lyrics are nostalgic (Canned Goods, Laughing River), funny (I Don't Want to Have a Nice Day, Just By Myself), and personal (Spring Wind, You Drive Me Crazy). The cover of Van Morrison's Moondance on the last track is fantastic. I love Greg Brown's deep bass voice, and his talented guitar playing. If you're a folk fan, definitely buy this album.

This album is definitely worth the bucks. Greg Brown sounds like Bob Dylan way back in the day, only more accessible. The songs are compelling and deep, the guitar work intricate. Overall, I couldn't hope for more out of a CD. Buy it!!!

This is definitely Greg Brown's greatest work. It's great. I can't really say much more than that. Buy it. When you buy this album and love it, check out the music of Townes Van Zandt; you will love his music too.

My advice to anyone checking out Greg Brown - see him LIVE! His albums are excellent, but he is best in person on stage. My favorite studio album is Poet Game - that one should've won him many awards and a HUGE following but, somehow, did not. And maybe us fans should be grateful for that, otherwise, we'd be lining up in long lines in front of large arenas paying big bucks. So we're lucky to still see him in small venues with fair prices.
The Live One is a great album - really showing Greg at his best, conversing with the audience in his song intros - and great guitar work, although this live recording does not have the masterful slide guitar and usual companion Bo Ramsey featured. They are a FORCE together - in fact, I just saw them November 6th in Kent, Ohio at the Kent Stage. Remarkable performance, although Greg didn't deliver the between song patter that he's known for. He was pretty quiet between tunes and played a lot of his darker themed stuff that night. Anyway, Greg Brown IS the MAN when it comes to great tunes and the great slide work of Bo Ramsey.