Customer Reviews

Live Songs & Stories

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

David Wilcox is the kind of performer who consistently delivers inspiration and wisdom to audiences who view themselves as personal friends, old lovers, and relatives. His fans don't want new and improved--we want David to climb on stage in his bowling shoes and wrinkled t-shirt and for one night move our hearts and make us laugh and imagine what might be.

Yes, the CD contains the same jokes and stories that he tells at every concert. But why would he change these night after night when they are the reason the songs were written in the first place? I sense his well-choreographed delivery causes some listeners to feel tricked, as though the (sometimes) verbatim repetition indicates the feeling and meaning of the story is artificial. Not true. Enjoy his ability to sound new, fresh, and personal despite retelling these stories weekly to hundreds of strangers.

Some have recently begun to complain about David becoming "preachy". This sentiment seems to be rising from the fact that he is including more of his beliefs about God (who he previously referred to innocuously as Big Love) and the Reason For Life in his music. But not once during a concert does he shove his beliefs down your throat. He proffers broad ideas involving love and kindness in answer to hard questions and painful experiences. However, he leaves the listener to come to their own conclusions, as every good artist should. He takes a position in his songwriting that allows for your own, as well. His faith is a journey, not a dead end street where he backs you into a corner. I can't help but laugh at these fans that no doubt snickered condescendingly when (on East Asheville Hardware) David poked fun at those (probably Christians) who objected to his song "After Your Orgasm." To quote him: "I mean, they like it when I sing songs about what I BELIEVE...I just believe that sex is pretty nice!" Those who now object to his preachiness should consider a slight twist: "I mean, they like it when I sing songs about what I BELIEVE...I just believe that Jesus was telling the Truth!"

This CD puts the listener front and center at an intimate and heartfelt concert. You hear the rustling of the audience behind you, the cackle of David's laugh as he responds to a joke, and beautiful chords delivered impeccably by his gifted hands.

Is David perfect? Nah...but this CD is pretty damn close.

I can't say enough about this album. For those who are familiar with Dave's work this album will be very familiar. For those who are interested in getting aquainted with him, this may be the best way to invite him into your home. The recordings are warm and alive and consist of both songs and stories.

The thing that strikes me most about the album is how real it is. No pomp or glamour here. No boy bands or synthesizers or dance moves or nasty lyrics or the like are to be found on this album. Just a warm voice, beautiful, simple guitar and lyrics that will have you wondering just how did Dave know that about you.

I discovered David Wilcox a few years ago, right around the time I discovered Jake Armerding (who plays backup fiddle, mandolin, and does backup vocals on this cd). Both of these guys are solid musicians in a league of their own, and both deserve a much bigger spotlight than they've been given. Combining Jake's musical gift's with David's lyrical finesse was a great choice. If you like this one, check out Jake's "Caged Bird".

David Wilcox is an extremely talented singer, guitarist, and songwriter. His albums are all excellent, but they don't capture how he really shines when performing live. His wonderful songs are given even more meaning with his introductions and stories. There's a connection between performer and audience that's very special and rare.

"Live Songs and Stories" is a collection of live performances cut together to sound like one continuous concert containing many of Wilcox's best songs, augmented with stories that are thought-provoking, and often hysterically funny. It captures the experience of a David Wilcox concert extremely well.

This album is an excellent introduction to Wilcox's music. His stories are written so newcomers to his concerts will feel instantly comfortable with lyrics that are far deeper than the standard musical fare. Including these on the album provides that same easy connection to a new listener.

It's also a great album for long time fans. The live performances are significantly different than the versions on his studio albums, providing different perspectives on old favorites. Some of the song introductions are familiar, others provide twists on the ones we remember, and still others are completely new.

It's not a perfect album -- "Words Alone" just isn't a great performance, and I don't find "Moe" to be that funny, but the rest of the album truly shines. His performances of "Spin" and "Show The Way" work even better when it's just Wilcox and his guitar, unencumbered by the accompaniment on the studio albums. The story he breaks into during "Good Together" is laugh-out-loud funny. And while "That's What The Lonely Is For" doesn't have The Story singing backup (as it does on "Big Horizon"), it has a groove to it that may make it Wilcox's best recorded song.

This album captures the humor and heart of David Wilcox's music, and I highly recommend it.

The first time I heard David Wilcox was in a friend's car and listening to a C.D. of his music just didn't intrigue me. Then I heard him in this small college tavern called the Peanut Barrel in Bloomington, Indiana. I was hooked! He is lyrical, eloquent, and a gifted musician. I love his music and this C.D. has some of my favorite songs intertwined with some of his stories and musings that go along with the songs. It's like having your own personal concert! I've played this C.D. almost continuously in my car since I bought it a few weeks ago.

This is a great Wilcox album. Those who complain about an excess of monologue, how boring it is, and the lack of a "smile" in the recording have obviously not seen this man perform live. It is this unique technique of storytelling that sets Wilcox apart from any other performer. It is his clever takes on life and his way of putting things into perspective that makes him great. This man is about delivering his message. He believes in the power of music, and no amount of eloquence of sophisticated unappreciation can diminish the power of his live performance. Get the Album...learn something!

In this, his second album of live music, David Wilcox adds stories to his songs to give everyone a taste of how delightful his live concerts are! Some previously released tracks like "Show the Way" and "Kindness" are crowd pleasers; some previously unreleased tracks like "No Far Away"speak to the current troubles in the world as much as they did when he first performed it 10 or so years ago. The stories are engaging and amusing as well as uplifting. David Wilcox is a stand-out as a gifted guitarist and singer-songwriter who is awake and paying attention. Try to catch him live if you can; if you can't, this CD is the next best thing!

I have enjoyed this more than any other Wilcox release to date. It reminded me of what a joy his shows are to witness first hand and how much I wish he'd come to TX more often. I am amazed at how this recording captured what his performances are like- moreso than any other live compilation I've heard in a long time.

It's not just any songwriter that can combine complex musical arrangements with simple life truths, and then perform in a way that comes across as so unique and original. Just about every song or story completely grabs your attention. Thanks to his humor, several of the songs will make you laugh. But, more admirably, thanks to his imagery, all of them will make you think. It's a fantastic work.

David Wilcox is not just another guitar touting troubadour. He is literally redefining the genre. And this new CD "Live Songs & Stories" is proof of that journey. Wilcox is all about great music, great verse and most importantly, a message. If you took the sincerity of Pete Seeger, the cutting edge of Bob Dylan, the sublime lyricism of James Taylor, the complex guitar voicings of Paul Simon, and the blues sensibilities of Guy Davis, you could start with a foundation to describe David Wilcox. But he goes deeper, still. Wilcox is far from the self-centered singer-songwriter type that can leave you with shallow pop musings about depressing relationships and failed attempts at high school romance. This guy is funny with a capital F. Check out Waffle House, where a lone truck stop eatery is transformed into a watering hole for refueling the soul of those lost souls beating the highways and byways of our great land. Or Moe, the heartfelt ode to a child who's father looks like the three stooges character and the grief he suffers through from his peers.

But the highlight of any David Wilcox experience is his unique gift for sharing his insights about Truth. And those who pass off his message as 'been there, done that' just aren't listening. Wilcox is a master of musings about why we're here. He seats life's meaning in relationships and our ability to make the most of them, or, screw them up. And he doesn't pander to the listener with light weight psychology or pop style self help feel good lyrics. Start With the Ending is a clever anthem to those who struggle with emotions and perhaps can't really face change until they are faced with losing each other. The solution becomes clear at this point: just Start With the Ending, get it out of the way, THEN have the relationship you've been after all along.

As an avid listener to singer songwriters for decades, I need three things as base ingredients to capture my heart and my ear:

1) Lyrics that inspire meaningful messages about life that I can apply to my own
2) Music that is seated in traditional jazz, blues, or classical foundations but is presented in a fresh uncluttered way
3) And an artist who is willing to get out of the way to let the message come through with the music.

David Wilcox does all three hands down. And if you think the CD is even remotely good, just wait until you see him in concert. In person, Wilcox's vibrant aura hits you like a laser, but makes you laugh, cry and wonder. David is one of the few artists I've ever heard that can be held up to the light with dignity, grace, humor and compassion. Perhaps the genius of this rare artist is that fact that he can pull this off by still having fun and learn right along side us through the magic of song. A big thumbs up to one of the few artists I've heard that can really get out of the way and let the music do its magic for him.

It's such a pleasure to have access to some of the "whys" behind David's songs. I have enjoyed hearing the stories that, until now, I could only hear at concerts.