Live From The Limo, Vol. 1 [Live]

Amazon.com
Supergroup live albums are rare things; rarer still are those that work strictly on musical terms, rather than star fascination. This first volume of Texas Tornados concert recordings surpasses expectations partly because, after nine years together, the Tornados are no longer an uber-collaboration but instead are a road-wizened ensemble. Part Texas bar-band deluxe (as on the shout-along "Hey Baby Kep-Pa-So"), part keepers of the conjunto flame (as on Flaco Jimenez's scale-scorching accordion showcase "La Múcura/A Mover el Bote"), the Tornados have developed a swaggering on-stage personality without ever devolving into Tex-Mex jam-band territory. Blending together performances from two December '98 shows in Austin, the album lacks the thrill of a single hot night on stage (some tracks fade in and out awkwardly) but compensates with fairly gutty song selection. Familiar Tornados tunes are matched with classics by Freddy Fender ("Wasted Days") and Sir Douglas ("Mendocino"), plus a few surprises including a stirring waltz through "Eighteen Yellow Roses" and the Gene Autry warhorse "South of the Border." Jimenez, Fender, Doug Sahm, and Augie Meyers are backed by a faultless rhythm section, some R&B-style horns, and, best of all, some savory pedal steel work, all of which helps to lift these performances above the mere rehash category. --Roy Kasten

Tracks:

Hey Baby Kep-Pa-So
South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way)
Soy De San Luis
I Don't Want To Be Lonely
Dinero
Eighteen Yellow Roses
La Mucura/A Mover El Bote
Adios Mexico
Marina
Laredo Rose
Nitty Gritty
Wasted Days, Wasted Nights
Mendocino
Who Were You Thinkin' Of?

Amazon.com

Supergroup live albums are rare things; rarer still are those that work strictly on musical terms, rather than star fascination. This first volume of Texas Tornados concert recordings surpasses expectations partly because, after nine years together, the Tornados are no longer an uber-collaboration but instead are a road-wizened ensemble. Part Texas bar-band deluxe (as on the shout-along "Hey Baby Kep-Pa-So"), part keepers of the conjunto flame (as on Flaco Jimenez's scale-scorching accordion showcase "La Múcura/A Mover el Bote"), the Tornados have developed a swaggering on-stage personality without ever devolving into Tex-Mex jam-band territory. Blending together performances from two December '98 shows in Austin, the album lacks the thrill of a single hot night on stage (some tracks fade in and out awkwardly) but compensates with fairly gutty song selection. Familiar Tornados tunes are matched with classics by Freddy Fender ("Wasted Days") and Sir Douglas ("Mendocino"), plus a few surprises including a stirring waltz through "Eighteen Yellow Roses" and the Gene Autry warhorse "South of the Border." Jimenez, Fender, Doug Sahm, and Augie Meyers are backed by a faultless rhythm section, some R&B-style horns, and, best of all, some savory pedal steel work, all of which helps to lift these performances above the mere rehash category. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

great songs, poor recording.......2000-08-04

This would have been a great show to have witnessed. Very few live recordings have the quality of sound that we are so accustomed to these days and this is no exception. This recording does convey the spirit of the event and the sheer enjoyment of the musicians in performing. Hopefully their studio recordings have the same good qualities and good recording as well. That is what I am purchasing next and advising whoever reads this to do.

Great Music!!.......1999-07-16

Since I live in Austin, Texas, I was one of the lucky ones that was able to attend both shows from which this album was recorded. As with most live CDs, the recording cannot meausre up to the live show, but the music on this CD is great.

I agree with Amazon's review that it tends to skip around too much. I don't understand why they don't just put the songs in the order the band played them. (Nothing was better than them opening the show with the "tornado" sound and "Hey Baby Que Paso?" but here it is the last track). However, this is the only fault I can find with the CD and I will listen to it for years to come.

My only other hope is that there is a Volume 2 on the way!!

Music Album:

Music Album