Words: Ray Cobra//Photo:Julian Foglietti
Grateful Dead: Live/Dead, The Band: The Last Waltz, Johnny Cash: At Folsom Prison, and Nirvana: MTV Unplugged in New York all have one, well maybe more things in common, but one main aspect, they all are fantastic live albums. Not only that, but when you think of these artists, you may think of these releases. I know I do with 3/4. A live album is that special release that can transport you back to a wonderful night. I know I get that feeling when I listen to a live album by Demon Hunter from a show I was at over ten years ago. And while I missed Lindsay Jordan’s show that this was recorded at, when I listen to this album, I get two feelings, and one is sadness because I missed a great night but the other is happiness. Why happiness? Simple, this release captures a really fun night from an amazing performer.
While I don’t remember how I came to know of Lindsay Jordan, I do remember the first time I saw her live. It was a show at Rumba Café that I was running doors for. I was playing on my phone when she started and very quickly put it down. That same energy that I witnessed that night is present on this release, and whether you have seen her or not, you will feel it too. And trust me, when all of this that we are presently going through is over, you are going to want to catch her live.
One of the aspects that sticks out about this album is it captures Lindsay’s storytelling very well. I’m glad that it was all recorded, so listeners get the full experience here. Because, let me tell ya, she is a natural, and it comes through in her songs but it’s her banter between songs that gives them extra life, and I love it. The art of storytelling is lost a lot these days but the one genre that it shines in is country music, and Lindsay has it downpat. A good example is “Slinging Wings and Smoking Weed.” Before she plays the song she tells what it is about. Then you hear the song, and it’s perfect. Sometimes knowing the backstory of a song makes it so much better for the listener. “Home Again” is another track that shows her strong songwriting skills. I also really enjoy this one because Columbus isn’t my home, and I miss Georgia every day—or I should say, my family and friends. Then she continues to talk/sing about home on the next song, “The Last Homecoming Queen,” as well. I appreciate that she did those two songs back to back. As it feels that they go together. “Hot Damn” is hands down a great killer, she says it’s a sad country song, but you wouldn’t know it by listening to it. It’s an upbeat fun number, and the chorus will, I repeat, the chorus will get stick in your head for a few days. This is also one the tracks that not being at this show I can see Lindsay on stage enjoying every second of it, and it comes across well here. There is a little crowd participation going on here, and I may or may not incorporate that when I listen to this song. But you’ll never know.
I started this by mentioning four great live albums. Well in my world, this album has joined them. Here in a few months when people really start talking about Lindsay Jordan and catching on, this is the release they will mention—simply because it does an outstanding job of showcasing her skills, especially those vocals. Let me tell ya, she is a powerhouse, and her vocals are front and center here on every single track. So: great lyrics, storyteller, and an outstanding voice—yeah, remember the name Lindsay Jordan. We are going to be hearing it for a while.
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