(107.1 KGSR/Radio Austin)
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, V�rttina, 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
This article appears in December 1 • 1995 and December 1 • 1995 (Cover).