Customer Reviews

Robert Earl Keen: No. 2 Live

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

 

 

THIS RELEASE WOULD HAVE RATED 5STARS IF NOT FOR ITS SHORT RUNNING TIME OF 39MINS.REK PERFORMING AT HIS HOMETOWN HOUSTON RODEO, REVOLVING STAGE,AND A TYPICAL TEXAS AUDIENCE, BEER,COWBOY HATS AND GOOD LOOKING GALS.SONG SELECTION IS GOOD, SOUND AND PERFORMANCE GREAT,VERY NICE RELEASE AND A GOOD QUICK TEXAS FEEL GOOD RELEASE--ENJOY.

I first heard about Robert Earl Keen because Lyle Lovett would play some of his songs and refer to him in concert. Then I saw REK open for LL at a show playing a solo acoustic set. Good stuff, very funny.

Then I saw REK and his full band live at the Bluegrass Festival in SF in 2004 and wow, they really jam! He has a very tight, talented band, and this DVD showcases it very well. The only shame is that it's so short. "Amarillo Highway" is a big highlight, and of course "The Road Goes on Forever," which is his signature song. If you want an introduction to REK, this would be a great place to start.

For the other reviewers who commented that this was too short, I agree, but it is annoying beyond that. I was fortunate to be in the audience for this great show, in full daylight at 1pm on a Saturday afternoon and I know the DVD leaves some tracks out. I can remember REK looking around the Astrodome in awe (it was the first time he had ever played there and he is from Houston)and tell a long (five minutes plus)story about how when he was young he and his buddies used to try to sneak into the rodeo performances without paying and see the country greats, but he was always turned away. But he did get in once and found that he was watching the Jackson Five! Magic! He was on such a high. It was nearly 20 years ago but I remember it like it was yesterday.This story was over the intro to the Front Porch Song, sadly missing on the DVD. I also remember seeing all the rodeo cowboys and staff standing there watching the concert - something I had never seen before or since.- they usually want to rest their aching muscles between performances.

Not holding out much hope that the full version will ever come out - I'm guessing that the original show was nearly an hour long and all shown on the Jumbotron screens. Still giving it five stars though!

I'll keep it brief, but we started out w/one CD by Robert Earl Keen ... we now own most of them. He is a grand writer (poignant & with great humor, deft delivery -- and superior sidemen). We've now graduated to his Concerts & we love them & tend to tie our guests to the couch & force-feed them the concerts. They leave happy & only slightly damaged by the ropes & high sound levels. This is a fine concert by a fine writer/singer. By the way, the enthusiasm of the crowd is contageous ... you feel ike you're there with them! Enjoy!
Michael Swofford