Farm Aid: Keep America Growing, Vol. 1 [Live]

Amazon.com
Fifteen years after Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young joined forces to support the beleaguered American farmer, a collection culled from all those annual benefit shows finally appears. The two-disc Farm Aid Volume One reaches as far back as the 1986 show (Los Lobos' "One Time One Night") and leaps ahead to '99. With guests ranging from Nelson's outlaw compadres (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson), to new country types (Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood) to rockers (Dave Matthews, the Beach Boys, Bryan Adams), the stylistic kin of the three founders are well represented. The initiators also offer many of the CD's highlights, with Young's environmental ode "Mother Earth" and Nelson's duet with Beck on Jimmie Rodgers's "Peach Picking Time down in Georgia" enlivening the proceedings considerably. And Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," cut in 1993, captures the great singer feeling strong and ornery. Just goes to show that Farm Aid has, at long last, reaped what it's sowed, and here's the cream of the crop. --Steven Stolder

Tracks:

Rain On The Scarecrow - John Mellencamp
City Of New Orleans - Highwaymen
Homegrown - Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Crash Into Me - Dave Matthews Band
Love Letter - Bonnie Raitt
Yellow Moon - Neville Brothers
Copperhead Road - Steve Earl & The Dukes
Wrong Side Of Memphis - Trisha Yearwood
God Only Knows - Beach Boys
Safe In The Arms Of Love - Martina McBride
Run To You - Bryan Adams
Paper In Fire - John Mellencamp
Last Of His Kind (The Farm Aid Song) - Neil Young

Tracks:

Peach Picking Time Down In Georgia - Willie Nelson
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
It Hurt So Bad - Susan Tedeschi
Just Like You - Keb' Mo'
Guitars, Cadillacs - Dwight Yoakam
We Danced Anyway - Deana Carter
I've Always Been Crazy - Highwaymen
One Time One Night - Los Lobos
Best Of All Possible Worlds - Highwaymen
Now That's Country - Marty Stuart
Sitting In Limbo - Willie Nelson & Family
Mother Earth - Neil Young

Amazon.com

Fifteen years after Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young joined forces to support the beleaguered American farmer, a collection culled from all those annual benefit shows finally appears. The two-disc Farm Aid Volume One reaches as far back as the 1986 show (Los Lobos' "One Time One Night") and leaps ahead to '99. With guests ranging from Nelson's outlaw compadres (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson), to new country types (Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood) to rockers (Dave Matthews, the Beach Boys, Bryan Adams), the stylistic kin of the three founders are well represented. The initiators also offer many of the CD's highlights, with Young's environmental ode "Mother Earth" and Nelson's duet with Beck on Jimmie Rodgers's "Peach Picking Time down in Georgia" enlivening the proceedings considerably. And Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," cut in 1993, captures the great singer feeling strong and ornery. Just goes to show that Farm Aid has, at long last, reaped what it's sowed, and here's the cream of the crop. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

Farm Aid deserves better.......2005-11-07

A letdown musically, with a couple excellent songs -- mostly by the always spirited Neil Young. Willie Nelson hams up the chorus of an otherwise superb "City of New Orleans" but redeems himself on a duet with Beck. Johnny Cash is typically enjoyable, but if you're a fan I'm sure you already own several versions of "Folsom Prison Blues."

Other than that it's a lot of expendable contemporary country and lite rock. Supports a great cause though. Buy it to help family farmers or if you are desperate to possess these live versions.

Great CD, But where's Phish?.......2000-10-12

This CD is definitely worth every penny. Plenty of good music for a good cause, but I think that something is missing. Anyone who has watched Farm Aid in recent years has to remember the 20+ minute Phish/Neil Young jam of "Down By The River" in 1998. This is probably the heaviest hitting moment in Farm Aid's history and would have been a great addition to the album. Oh Well, buy it anyway and remember, "Homegrown is alright with me!"

A can't miss purchase!.......2000-09-21

One of the best live recordings I've heard in a long time. I attended some of the Farm Aid concerts where these songs were performed, and the CD really captures the energy and spirit of these events. A great CD for a great cause!

Best live album I've ever heard!.......2000-09-14

This is a must-hear for anyone who appreciates really good music. The Beck-Willie duet is awesome, and the other live performances are better than the original recordings. I hope we're going to see volume 2 soon!

Great Live Album.......2000-09-13

I am not a huge fan of live albums, but when I saw which artists were on this CD, I had to check it out. I think that this is a great collection of Rock and Country, not to mention a good cause. I especially love the version of Dave Matthews "Crash"! The thought of listening to Beck & Willie sing together made me nervous, but it is definately a selection you just have to hear. I would suggest this to anyone!

Music Album:

Music Album