Customer Reviews

live and then some

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Outside of Orange County, California most people don't know who Chris Gaffney is. Actually, there aren't all that many people in Orange County who know much about him either.

THAT'S THEIR LOSS. The Cold Hard Facts are the greatest bar band in the world, and Chris Gaffney is probably the most likeable and best sounding band leader you will ever listen to or see live.

This is a 2-disc set which inlcudes a re-release of a previous album and the other disc is a live recording of the band when it played the Swallow's Inn in San Juan Capistrano, California. The re-release disc is fine, the live disc is one of the best live recordings you will ever hear.

Gaffney plays country, zydeco, Joe Ely-style tex-mex, R&B, you name it. He understands how music can move people on an emotional level. Most of time, the emotion will include a smile on your face, although he can get the tears flowing with songs like 1968. Although you can't characterize the type of music he plays, you can characterize the quality of what he does, and it's impressive.

Buy this record and see him live, especially if he is playing with his close friend and sometimes songwriting partner Dave Alvin.

This is a two CD release. One is an excellent live disc, the other is his first release "Road to Indio". This is the only way to obtain this long out of print release. I think that it is not as strong as some of his later day work (Mi Vida Loca & Loser's Paradise) but an excellent release non the less (just a notch below those two classics). With the passing of Chris earlier this year there sadly will be no more tours. If you never saw him live pick this up and see what you missed. If you were fortunate enough to see him live then you'll want this as well because you already know what a fantastic live performer he was.

If you know,you know...
Where I wandered as a child,before the sculptor went mad...
Love Ya Chris