Customer Reviews

Way Live

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I defy anyone to hear the Waybacks and not dig their music. Their death-defying improvisational excursions will appeal to Coltrane fans and Deadheads alike. Their musical diversity provides revved up bluegrass, country blues, bebop, gypsy jazz, celtic music, and rock - sometimes all in the same song.

The Waybacks handle every performance on this live disc with humor, originality, and jaw-dropping musicianship. In fact, the main difference between the performances on this live disc and their studio albums is that they play with more energy and a looser feel. The musicianship does not suffer a bit, and is always in service of the music. The quality of the recordings is also great.

How many cds have you listened to recently that feature:
- slide guitar and slide mandolin played in unison?
- great originals, traditional celtic songs, and inventive covers of John Fahey, Rev. Gary Davis, and Blind Blake tunes?
- a bizarre marriage of classic TV theme song and classic hard rock?
- the best guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass and drums you're likely to hear anywhere?

Everyone I know who has heard this band has become a fan. Ages 2 to 92. Left-wing to right-wing and everything in between. Serious musicians to tone-deaf physicians.

Do yourself a favor and get this CD! Better yet, go and see the Waybacks when they come to your area. I promise you will not be disappointed, whoever you are.

At last, the Live Album. Don't get me wrong - I loved Burger After Church and Devolver, but there was always that little piece missing without the audience. They have an astounding chemistry between themselves, and with the crowd. You'd almost believe in musical telepathy to see them play live, and hey, now you can hear them live, in the comfort of your living room. (Which is great for us since we live farther away from their musical epicenter than we used to.) The CD captures the band. They bounce the lead around like they're playing musical follow-the-leader. The harmonies are tight. Every song sizzles. On Swallowtail, Chojo's mandolin playing is so fast I think I saw smoke coming out of the CD player. Oh, and don't turn off the CD too soon or you'll miss the unlisted bonus track, which epitomizes the live Waybacks I know and love. You won't believe me until you hear it for yourself.

If you've never heard them before, I'd say start with this one. Then get Devolver so you can hear their incredible rendition of "Witch of the Westmereland", then go for a Burger. Like I said, they're all good, but you can't beat live. Way Live.

I've caught these virtuoso "psycho-grass" pickers at the Kerrville Folk Festival two years in a row now. The Waybacks always ignite the crowd and are an outstanding favorite among hundreds of artists in this 18-day festival.

OK. I admit it, I'm a deadhead. Back in those days, a four hour show with the "Dead" was a transformative musical journey. The Waybacks performance at Kerrville, though they only had an hour, seemed as satisfying as a dead show in it's own way.

I actually think that they do this by compressing all the notes of a four hour dead show (minus the off ones) into an hour! I shudder to think what a TWO HOUR show might be like!

Luckily, the "Way Live" CD is only an hour or so long. No extra training or conditioning will be required. But it's the Waybacks live and a great representation of their blazing performances that I have seen.

I could go into the songs and all that, but I'm too lazy to get particular. See them if you can and either way, hear them live on this CD!

For any one who is not familiar with the work of The Waybacks, this is a great introduction. For those of us who are wabe-o-philes, it is a must have addition to the collection. The boys' chops are ever improving and the newer version of some of our favorites give a fresh slant and fine listening. Their live performances are impossible to capture on record but this is the closest we can come to being there. On this CD they revert to a proven winning trick of adding an unannounced track at the end of the recording. In this case, dont quit early and miss track 15. It's a hoot.

The Waybacks are outstanding! I've seen them twice in person and can't wait to see them again. This live album is the next best thing to seeing them and you really get the flavor of their live shows listening to it. James Nash, the lead flatpicking guitarist, has been called "the best flatpicker alive" by some very knowledgeable folks, and the other guys in the band keep right up with him.

This music pushes the envelope in ways that will delight you and your music-loving friends. Get it!

This is New Grass at its best. The playing is fast and clean. But the Waybacks do not sacrifice creativity for speed. Some of their tunes catch such a great groove that I find it hard to keep still which can be a problem when I'm driving. They start well grounded in bluegrass and then take you on a journey from there to swing, Reverend Gary Davis' blues, Ireland, psychedelica and beyond. All this is done with a playfulness that leaves me smiling every time I listen.

Just saw this band tonight. The lead mando/guitarist is ridiculous, and the band's groove is infectious. BUY THIS CD!

This is one band that you do not want to miss if they come to your town, but in the event that they don't come to your town "Way Live" is the next best thing. Each band member is a virtuoso. The Wayback's music is an eclectic mix of swing, county,jazz,blues, and folk music with something for anyone that likes good music played with integrity and enthusiasm. After hearing "Way Live" you will want to check out their previous recordings "Devolver" and " Burger After Church"two equally fine studio recordings.

Hubby and I waited with baited breath for this CD and we were amazed. We shouldn't have been so surprised. Their prior CDs were fantastic and they are unbelievable live. This record captures everything that the Waybacks are live -- lively, serious, irreverant, funny, phenomenal musicians. As a group, they are masters of their craft. Every track shows what the Wabes are good at, their brand of music at its best. They call it acoustical mayhem. I call it amazing. Buy this CD. You won't be disappointed.

Through the Waybacks I discovered that Bluegrass can be fun to listen to even though I grew up listening to The Beatles, Led Zepplin & Lynerd Skynerd. Anyone who lived on California's central coast and listened to K-Pig radio will know what I'm talking about.