Customer Reviews

Spyboy Live [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you're a fan of Emmylou Harris (and you probably are if you're reading this), then get this. Nothing more needs to be said other than it's essential for EH fans.

The performance here is much better than the live recordings put together for the "Spyboy" CD. This entire DVD is from one show at the Exit/In in Nashville, while the audio CD is a collection of performances from the "Wrecking Ball" worldwide tour. The songs sound much better here, and the band sounds much better here than on the CD (and when I saw them in Atlanta in 10/2000). The CD doesn't have the greatest sound (I get the feeling I'm in the very very back of a large auditorium), but the DVD is just great. And, yes, it could/should have been much longer. But I won't penalize it for that.

This is a must for EH fans. If only to see/hear the tearjerking performances of "Prayer In Open D", "My Songbird", and "Calling My Children Home"; but it's all great.

I have been an Emmylou fan since I first saw her playing small bars here in Washington, D.C. and she just keeps getting better. This is by far her most musically adventurous band coming on the heels of her Wrecking Ball recording. Since I missed the Spyboy tour this is the next best thing. Emmylou sings with more power and soul than ever and Buddy Miller is a truly unique musician. If you like the Spyboy recording this is a must.

I really liked the Spyboy CD (not to mention Emmylou's entire catalog), and when I saw this DVD, I figured I had nothing to lose. Well, she came out of the box singing Spyboy over her acoustic guitar, and the [dang] thing was so completely gorgeous that I literally started crying. The whole thing is great, and the musicianship is awesome. The only reason I don't give it five stars is that it is not in digital surround, and it needs to be longer. Buy this.

I highly recommend this DVD. I am very pleased with both the quality of the video and music. If you like music of the folk/country/rock variety, Emmy Lou is a treasure; this DVD chronicles a fine performance by her. If I could change anything about this DVD, I would save the commentary about the band for the end of the DVD.

Even if you are not a long time fan, I think this excellent concert could win you over if you listen to Americana music at all.

Harris' voice may not be as pure as decades ago, but her breadth and soul are electrifying. And of course there is the much overlooked Buddy Miller and the rest of Spyboy.

I beg to differ with another reviewer. To my (not unstudied ears) the sound quality is quite good. In fact that is another great reason to see and hear this DVD version, because it is vastly superior to the CD of the same material. The Spyboy CD takes a lot of careful tweeking of your sound system to just be listenable, but this DVD is mixed and mastered with satisfying results.

Sit back and enjoy one of the grand female leads in roots based American music.

It's rare these days when an artist commands attention without resorting to stage antics, special effects, unusual sets and outrageous costumes. This band, so simple in its delivery, does just that. Harris, Miller, Blade and Johnston shine in this live performance. There are no star turns. There are no screaming, adoring fans. Just a house full of people enjoying good music.
Strong cuts here include "Prayer in Open D," "Born To Run" and "The Maker." I also enjoyed Harris' commentary between cuts because it's mainly praise for her band (and it's succinct). Minor disappointment: The DVD does not include "Boulder To Birmingham" and "Tulsa Queen" - two of the strongest cuts on the companion live CD. Hopefully, an expanded DVD is is in the vaults awaiting release someday.

Here's the track listing for the DVD for anyone interested...

1. Introduction
2. My Songbird
3. Where Will I Be
4. I Ain't Living Long Like This
5. Love Hurts
6. Deeper Well
7. Prayer in Open D
8. Calling My Children Home
9. All My Tears
10. Born to Run
11. The Maker

had to find this used. when amazon says 4 to 6 weeks i don't know what that means (usually not a good sign of ultimate availability), but glad i got it! a couple of pieces they intentionally make a little jumpy looking, i think to go along with the lanois-type treatment of those 2 songs (eg, deeper well), but all in all a great concert with good camera angles and what a band! as tony rice would say, JUMP ON IT SON!

I was lucky enough to see the Spyboy Band in New Jersey, I have to admit I am not a real big Country fan but Emmylou & Spyboy
were not your typical over-produced, over-hyped slick sounding re-hashed country artists.

First I must mention the band, unless you are lucky enough to see top notch studio musicians play regularly you would
(like me) be absolutely blown away by the Spyboy band, having heard and loved Wrecking Ball & Red Dirt Girl's soulfull, haunting & bluesy songs I was speechless to see a live band that could actually sound better than the Studio Albums, the warm up set by the 3 piece Spyboy band had the whole theater on it's feet, they tore the place up !!!, they could all play like demons & sing like angels and when Emmylou came on it was just the icing on the cake.

The amazing thing was being such powerfull players they NEVER stepped on Emmylou's singing & provided backup vocals
that were breathtaking, the guitar player, bass player & drummer are probably the BEST players I have ever seen live, a rare treat
as this calibre of musicians is usually far too busy to go on tour, the credit probably goes to Emmylou who is very highly respected in Nashville's inner circles & these guys prefered to play live with her rather than making 10 times the money staying home and just doing sessions.

Retired Musician & Sound Mixer

would love to own this one ,but $100.00 is a bit on the insane side !