Broadcasts Vol. 3
Fri., Dec. 1, 1995
Another winner, and really, was there ever any doubt? Again, the kind folks at the home of Adult Alternative programming have made sure that every musician passing through their doors straps on an acoustic and gives the musical genre known as "unplugged" a one-shot whirl. The results are remarkable not only for the 42 talents gathered on this two disc set -- a very Austin-centric gathering that includes Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Värttina, Robyn Hitchcock, Jayhawks, Graham Parker, Joan Osborne, Abra Moore, and Lyle Lovett, to name a smattering -- but also because these performances are sequenced chronologically, resulting in what KGSR PD Jody Denberg rightly calls in his liner notes, "Many serendipitous segues:" Anders Osborne bluesing into Gary Primich, who dominoes into Keb Mo', Kim Wilson, and the soul majesty of Storyville's "What Passes for Love;" Leo Kottke stringing you along until Al DiMeola finishes his tune; Indigo Girls harmonizing into the lone Guthrie-meets-Beck stream of Todd Snyder, who in turn gives way to Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, and then the Scot boys of Del Amitri. How's that for lighting up a few marquee names? This CD moves quickly each year, so rather than collecting all these acoustic B-sides individually on a dozen or so disco mixes-out-the-wazoo CD singles, plunk down $10.71, and get a bargain now. Again.
(4.0 stars) -- Raoul Hernandez
