Customer Reviews

Live and Unplugged

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This week I went to see Jeff Daniels in concert at the Big Tent Chautauqua south of Bayfield, Wisconsin. The actor, best known for his roles in "Terms of Endearment" and "Dumb & Dumber" (although the Jeff Daniel's movies on my shelf would be "The Purple Rose of Cairo," "Gettysburg," and "Gods & Generals"), has been writing songs for over thirty years, never professing to be a professional singer-song writer but insisting instead that his songs are his diary. If Jeff Daniels makes a movie where Clint Eastwood blows him away in the end, then he writes a song ("The Dirty Harry Blues"). If he goes out on a first date with the woman who will become his wife, then he writes a song about that too ("Kathy"). You will find that those two examples pretty much encompass the complete spectrum of Daniels' songwriting skills because the first is funny and the second is sweet.

As the title clearly indicates, "Live and Unplugged to Benefit the Purple Rose Theatre" was recorded live at the Purple Rose Theater in Chelsea, Michigan in December and January 2003-2004 with all proceeds from the CD going to the theater. Daniels is the founder and executive director of the not-for-profit regional professional theater company and was coaxed into being pushed on stage with his guitar to see if people would be willing to pay to see what would happen next. Daniels initially dismissed the idea as something William Shatner would do (think "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" rather than "Star Trek"), which engendered the song "If William Shatner Can, I Can Too" that starts off this enjoyable album of a dozen songs.

The most out of date song is obviously "The Lifelong Tiger Fan Blues," seeing as how Detroit has the best record in baseball this season. Daniels sings about his marriage in "If I Weren't So Stupid, You Wouldn't Be So Smart," and was motivated by his objection to a sign in a bar to come up with "You Can Drink An Ugly Girl Pretty." An encounter with a "State Trooper" engenders a song as well. On the more serious side Daniels has a song about his parents ("Momma Never Left Her Oldest Boy Alone"), his first car ("Blue Valiant"), and a cover of a song about the state in which he lives ("Michigan, My Michigan," the unofficial state song of Michigan, with lyrics written to the tune of "Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum" by Winifred Lee Brent after the Battle of Fredericksburg during the Civil War). The one song that does not really fit into those categories would be "If You're Comin'," an anti-war song written in opposition to "those who wrap their reasons for going to war around a higher power."

Vehicle," which makes perfect sense since the true story is clearly inspired by Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant." That is one of the songs that have clearly evolved over the years (Daniels updates "If William Shatner Can, I Can Too" nowadays to make a palatable hit on Paris Hilton, admittedly an easy target but a most deserving one as well). Having catalogued his repertoire, Daniels is also able to tell us when and where he wrote each of these songs, and in the back of the booklet makes some brief comments on each of the songs.

It really is time for Daniels to cut another CD, because his repertoire is considerably more than the dozen tracks presented here. He only did four of these tracks in his concert ("If William Shatner Can, I Can Too," "The Dirty Harry Blues," "If You're Coming," and "Recreational Vehicle"), and there were easily that many songs that I heard Daniels perform live that I would like to be able to hear again whenever I want. There were several times during the evening's performance that my sides hurt I was laughing so hard, and half of the songs that had us in hysterics are not to be found here. I want those songs, Jeff.

I bought this CD about a week after I saw him perform live. No condemnation, but stage presence and audience interaction don't quite make it to a plastic disc. His "whiskey voice" (no aspersions meant), great guitar picking, and subtle humor make for great listening. But listen in the safety of your own abode or a parked motor vehicle (driving and listening to this puts you and others at risk when you can't help laughing). Support for small-town local theater (the Purple Rose) is added incentive.

since I like him as an actor thought I'd like him as a singer, and I do. he's funny and folksy. I still laugh everytime I hear the funny tunes, and there's also one that makes me cry everytime I hear it.

I saw Jeff Daniels and friends in concert. I never knew he could sing. This is a fantastic cd. The songs are personal, folksy, with a little Arlo Guthrie style in some. Some songs are laugh out loud funny. A good listen for a good cause, the support of Jeff's Purple Rose Theater.

Known more for his movie roles than his musical storytelling songs, I hope that Jeff Daniels fans discover this side of a multi-talented star. Storytelling is an art, and Jeff is one of the best I have ever heard. He can make you laugh and cry with his personal heartfelt lyrics and stories accompanied by his acoustic guitar. The songs give the listener a little insight into this wonderfully talented actor/musician/lyricist. If you grew up (as I did) or have ever lived in Michigan, you can REALLY relate to some of his songs. I highly recommend all of Jeff's albums!!!!!! Pure Delight!!!!