Posted by Shevanthi Perera on March 22, 2015, 4:38 pm
Another amazing CD of unreleased new material with exquisite new musical overdubs. For those of us who never had the opportunity to see Jim or hear him perform in concerts indoors or outdoors, this masterpiece of Jim playing in six different venues with three different sets of band members over a period of five years is the next best thing to listen to and imagine that you are sitting at the front row of the hall.
His breathtaking voice so eloquent and silky could not be drowned even under the worst of circumstances, rain, or the screaming crowds. Rather, it soothed his listeners to their cores and his personality shines through in live performances more than studio recordings. His mellifluous voice that echoes in his studio recordings is even more lavishly displayed in these live settings with clear, rich audio and he is never out of tune.
This is Jim Reeves who has the ability to reach out and touch the audience in powerful ways; who can concoct a story on the spot with his ever so rich booming voice and a man who knows how sweet a song can sound.
Thanks for another superb CD Larry and enjoyed these live versions of my favorite songs. It is always nice to hear Jim's voice at a different angle, in a different setting and sometimes in crazy circumstances as well! Thanks to your dedicated talented team who worked on these so skillfully and for the audio restoration which spelled the wonderful music.
One thing struck me as much as the music. Jim was a great presenter. He sounded so confident, smooth and assured in his delivery and I'm sure he could have gone on to do so much more on radio, tv and films. Perhaps even a chat show ?
I just received my copy and listened. I love it. As wonderful as some of his records made in Studio B were, and still are, I think I have decided that I like hearing him live in concert more than in studio. The concert with the Nashville Symphony is superb. I love the concert at Chambersburg, PA. I love hearing Jim talk to the audiences and to his band. The renditions of "I Love You Because" and "Adios Amigo" he did in Stockholm are the best I have heard him do. He seemed to have a bit more "bassey" sound on those songs than I have noticed before, even though the key might have been the same as in other renderings. And Jim really was at his best hitting those low notes.
The only thing about the CD that I wish was improved was audio quality of the recording of Jim and the Lump Lump Boys. And I realize Larry had no control over that. I also wish there was a video of that because we don't get the full effect of the comedy just from the audio.
Overall, a very enjoyable CD that I am happy to have in my collection, and that I would recommend to any Jim Reeves fan.