Customer Reviews

Steve Goodman - Live from Austin City Limits and More

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Steve Goodman never found fame, not the kind he deserved anyway. A gifted songwriter, a splendid guitarist, and a charismatic live act, his death in 1984 left holes in lot of folks' lives. John Prine still dedicates "Souvenirs" to Steve in every concert he does.

The DVD captures a couple of Austin City Limits shows where Steve was in good form, high energy in the first half, lower energy in the second half, sapped a bit by the chemo and the disease that killed him. Between those two halves, there's an interview from an apartment overlooking Wrigley Field. Even the poor editing can't take away from the heart-wrenching Q&A, or diminish the "Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" as Steve sings it, with Wrigley in the background, a few months before his death.

This is the closest you can come in this life to seeing a Steve Goodman concert. For those of us who are fans - and I am an unabashed fan - it is a rare and precious treat. For those who don't know Steve and his wonderful songs, this is a great chance to experience a Steve Goodman show.

Highly recommended. Simply delightful.

First, as always, a couple of confessions. Number 1, I am a Steve Goodman fan. Number 2, I am an author. Words matter. Steve Goodman, while a fine vocalist and a stunning guitarist, was, first and foremost, a lyricist. ...

Now for the review:

This is as good as you're gonna get now that Steve is playing with the angels. I had the chance to see him live in the late '70's and that concert remains, without a doubt, the single most beloved musical event I ever attended. This DVD does have a technical glich here and there in terms of an unforeseen pause or two. So what? The concert footage is priceless, the sound quality is good, and the interviews with Kris Kristoferson, John Prine, and others, are memorable. You can't watch Steve's interview about the Chicago Cubs, where it's clear he's battling the cancer that ultimately killed him, without shedding tears. Buy this DVD and buy any of Steve's CD's. Any CD. And you will be an immediate Goodman junkie. Guaranteed.

I am a lifelong musician. I have a very musical stepson, aged 24. He's into folk music, plays banjo, mandolin, fiddle. I have a husband, he likes John Prine. As an old lady of 44, I tell nostalgic stories of doing stage lighting for the most incredible live performer and his rag-tag band of scraggly folk singers, mandolin wizards, and celebrity drop-ins. I mention the name, Steve Goodman, and rattle off a few of his more well-known songs... City of New Orleans, You Never Even Call Me By My Name, etc. I used to get knowing nods and shrugs, the occasional eye roll. Imagine my joy at finding this tape - finally being able to visually demonstrate the indescribable energy and wit of this charming treasure of a guy. Watching him shake a rather listless and stuffy Austin City Limits crowd out of their patchouli haze and leave them cheering for encores was a treat well worth the investment. Seeing those unforgettable facial expressions, and the guitar licks - MAN. He was so much fun to watch, to listen to - to be in the same room with. My family has a new-found respect for me and my stories now! And my 24-year-old is practicing some of those incredible guitar licks. A new generation of Steve Goodman fans is born. The interviews are heartfelt, moving, and lovely. If you have ever seen Steve, you'll laugh and cry. If not, you will become a fan.

I have been a fan of Steve Goodman for years, but I knew him only as a gifted songwriter and recording artist. I now realize that the recordings I have are somewhat sterile and never captured the essence of this guy. He was a truly talented and wonderful performer with amazing energy and imagination. The DVD gets it and you should too!

I got the DVD and have truly enjoyed recalling the energy, wit, insight and virtuousity of Steve Goodman.

As a guitar player I have been watching exactly what Steve did in some of his blues runs. They were (and still are) distinctively his.

As I watch the live footage I get the sense that every second was an adventure for Chicago Shorty!

The DVD is worth it alone for "Men Who Love Women Who Love Men."

The performances of Steve on this DVD are not necessarily the best takes of his performances. Some of the live takes on other CDs and LPs are technically smoother--but these are absolutely essential for any Goodman fan.

He's gone to watch the angels now
We're stuck here with the DVD
I'm glad to have at least that much!

A chance to sample the immense talent of Steve Goodman, who was a true musican's musician, and an entertainer par excellence! I regret I didn't get to know his work earlier (when I lived in Chicago in the late 60's and 70's!), and only knew of him through the reference to him in David Allan Coe's classic "You Never Even Called Me By My Name." Goodman comes across as not just a superbly talented guy, but a great performer and a nice guy--filled with the joy of life and wanting to transmit it to his audience, even though he and they knew he was dying of leukemia. Any country fan, folk fan, or lover of just plain good ol' tuneful, clever, singable songs will love this dvd. Get it!

One of the greatest ACL shows of all time!
Steve is awesome and doesn't fail us here either.
This is a must have video for all guitar players, songwriters and anyone with a yearning for genuine acoustic sounds.

There isn't a bad moment
A few beers and a night with Steve Goodman
It doesn't get much better than that.

I really never thought I'd be able to play guitar along side Steve but with this video it is a real treat...thanks

I knew Steve in Chicago when we were all young. He was a wonderful performer from the beginning and an even more wonderful person. He was one of the kindest people ever. I was lucky enough to hear him many times on stage and off. I never tire of his music. I have all his albums and have just added this one.

if you only had a couple cd's by steve, like me and only sort of knew his stuff, this dvd will make you fall in love with his work. great bonus interviews about being a baseball fan and austin city limits cut with a very young John Prine singing Souvenirs worth it just for that material. dig the groovy haircuts in the audience.

This is truly a must have for any Steve Goodman fan. It shows Steve at his best singing and interacting with his audience. There are also some good interviews of Steve and other entertainers who knew him. Steve left us way too soon, but this DVD does a good job of catching the genius and energy of a truly great entertainer.