Categories : Country + Western, Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 3.5/5 Released: January 9, 2007 Reviewer: David Coats |
Predictably, the highlight of this recording of Neko Case’s August 9, 2003 Austin City Limits performance is her vocals – she has the ability to sound perfect enough to distinguish herself from practically every other vocalist, but imperfect enough that she is able to retain the punk rebelliousness which makes her combination of folk, country, and gospel so unique.
Recorded three years prior to the release of her best record, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, Case’s country-heavy set list draws from her first three records (‘Favorite,’ ‘Maybe Sparrow’), along with a number of covers from classic folk artists, such as Hank Williams (‘Alone and Forsaken’) and Bob Dylan (‘Buckets of Rain’), and a handful of songs by lesser known songwriters.
In some ways, the flaw with this record is that the more intricate, rich arrangements of the studio records aren’t replicated. Opting for something simpler showcases the songs themselves, but her best song writing still lay in the future, and accompanied only by subtle guitar, banjo, bass and pedal steel, her voice is powerful enough to make the instruments practically disappear at times. The performance is actually quite risky in that respect, as the accompaniment is such that Case’s voice needs to carry the day – fortunately, she’s up to the challenge.
The highlight of the entire package is her a capella conclusion to ‘Furnace Room Lullaby’ – it will blow you away. Also a highlight is the backing vocals of Kelly Hogan, who compliments Case perfectly. Case is clearly a student of her craft – she takes pleasure in presenting songs that would likely otherwise go unheard, understands the significance of the songs that she sings, has great artistic ambitions, and obviously enjoys herself during this performance. Live From Austin is meaningful, risky, and flawed, yet even the flaws generally only add to the charm.
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