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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
2 Albums into Pete's career, and here is the 2nd live album, November 24, 2004
Pete Yorn scored a major hit in 2001 with his debut album "musicforthemorningafter", and followed it with a much less acclaimed (critically and commercially) "Day I Forgot" in 2003. Hard to find is the excellent 2001 limited release "Live at the Roxy", capitalizing on the debut album's success (it contains an excellent cover of Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark", a concert staple in those days.)
"Live from New Jersey" (2CDs, 20 tracks, 91 min.) was recorded in Fall 2003 and actually has been available throught Yorn's website since January of this year, but now gets an "official" release. This release gives a full concert performance of Yorn, and he shines. The set mixes up tracks from both studio albums, but rightly emphasizing the stronger debut album (10 of its 14 tracks are featured here, including all the classics such as "Strange Condition", "On Your Side", "Black" and of course "Life on a Chain"). There are 7 tracks from "Day I Forgot". The remainder tracks are covers and one new song. Pete Yorn is at his best throughout, and thorougly relaxed, with much banter throughout. Check out in particular the closing track, a medley of the Springsteen cover "Atlantic City" with his own "Murray", just beautiful.
While it makes you wonder why another live album, "Live from New Jersey" is Pete Yorn at his best. The question is of course whether his next studio album will match the quality of "musicforthemorningafter" or the disappointment of "Day I Forgot", only time will tell. Meanwhile, "Live from New Jersey" is a thorougly enjoyable listen throughout.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Lively, Bristling, Organic Set, November 6, 2005
I almost didn't bother with this one. I loved Pete Yorn's studio albums, but played them to death. Another 2-disc set just seemed too "Been there, done that."
I couldn't have been more wrong. This is a tight, outstanding concert, bristling with energy, & Yorn is backed by a first-rate band that give these familiar songs an unexpected freshness. Top that off with outstanding production qualities. By the end of what could so easily have been an overlong, artist's vanity project, I found myself pushing the "Repeat" button!
He had already proven he could write, that he was a solid musician -- He played most of the instruments on the "...MorningAfter" album-- Now add "solid concert performer" to an already impressive resume.
BTW-- Nice to hear Elvis' "Suspicious Minds" minus the schlock that stripped the rock-'n-roll out of "The King's" rendition!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy "musicfor..." first, then get this album!, December 26, 2004
I was turned onto Pete Yorn when "Life on a Chain" was handpicked on MTV2. That was enough for me to buy MUSICFORTHEMORNINGAFTER. "Black," "June," and "On Your Side" are my favorites, and they really come alive on LFNJ. If you love "On Your Side," the intro will throw you a bit, but you'll fall in love with the song all over again.
I didn't buy DAY I FORGOT because I didn't like the album versions of the songs, but LFNJ changed my mind about all those songs, except one. I loved "Crystal Village" from the moment I heard it, but you'll develop a newfound appreciation for the song when you hear it performed live.
The best thing about this album, other than the music, is hearing Pete come alive. He goes through the songs kind of fast, but you get the feeling that he's at ease and loves performing for his home crowd. Whereas the other albums might not give you a sense of what Pete Yorn is like, this album does. Examples: PY dedicating "Bandstand in the Sky" to Elliot Smith, although written for Jeff Buckley; talking about his old job; admitting who he really stole "Crystal Village" from.
Final note: For drive time, either heading into work or going home, I recommend the trifecta on Disc 2: "On Your Side", "June" (extended because Pete loves it so much...and so will you), and "Crystal Village."
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by Pete Yorn 
