Search - Iain Matthews :: Nights in Manhattan

First we take Manhattan, then we take Points West

Kasper van Noppen | Amsterdam, The Netherlands | 08/25/1998

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Nights in Manhattan' was originally relaesed in 1988. It's a live album, recorded at the Bottom Line in NYC. It is now available combined with a West Coast concert, and sort of doubles the value of the CD. It brings together laid back, acoustic versions of songs by 'maestro's' like Richard Thompson, John Martyn, Richard Farina, Joni Mitchell and - of course - Ia(i)n Matthews himself."

A strange case

Schlingemann | Den Haag Netherlands | 07/27/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Three years ago, I finally saw Iain Matthews perform live. Imagine the circumstances: there was the man who survived in the business for more than thirty years, who made dozens of albums, performing on an tiny stage for about thirty people. Yet he played for a solid two hours, cheerfully, even exchanging jokes with this small audience. And when he started to sing, it was spine-chilling: here was that incredible voice, that hadn't lost any of its hypnotizing magic. I wish I had secretly recorded that concert. 'Nights in Manhattan' is a poor substitute; although the performance is more than adequate, and the choice of songs delightful, this CD is very badly produced. It sounds as if Iain is singing to an audience of dozing nightporters in a vast, rectangular hangar situated on an abandoned airfield. I only hope that someone will give 'Iain live' a second chance."

A Perfect Pitch

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 01/14/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the Revised and Expanded Edition of Iain's 1991 Live Record from his 1988 "Changing Line" Tour, from The Bottom Line Club in New York City.



The Original Version contained 12 Selections, but this one adds 4 more tracks from McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica from a 1990 tour.



The Band is Iain: Vocals and Guitar, Mark Hallman: Guitars and Vocals and Craig Negoescu: Keyboards, Electronic Percussion and Vocals. From the Soaring Vocals of: "On Squirrel Hill" thro to the new closer: "This Fabrication" it is quite a Performance from Mr. Matthews and his Band. Old Favorites; "Reno Nevada","Keep On Sailing" and "Woodstock" sound just fine fitted in with the Jules Shear Tunes from "Walking A Changing Line".

Guitars are Crisp and Bright, Vocals are a Stellar 11 (On the Spinal Tap Scale). But I do feel the Synths and Electronic Programing are in the way at times, {but remember this was from the Late 1980's!}.



But, even with my Keyboard Complaint, I feel this is one of Iain's Finest Records. I have enjoyed this Recording over and over again for almost 20 Years now. It is a Wonderful Sampling of his Performing Powers and it is Highly Recommended...FOUR STARS !!!"