Search - Marshall Crenshaw :: Marshall Crenshaw - Greatest Hits Acoustic

Live without a net - or any of his strong suits

Patrick Noonan | Atlanta, GA USA | 02/03/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Would you buy a recording of the Beatles "unplugged," with no George Martin producing & no crafty overdubs, playing all cover tunes, with no harmonies? Oh, yes -- and Ringo's doing all the singing.Well of COURSE you would, and I would too. But wouldn't we set our expectations a few notches lower than for Beatles recordings where they were playing to their strengths?Marshall Crenshaw is a master of the catchy, guitar-driven pop-rock tune. Who else can combine head-turning hooks and rocking grooves like that?And he makes exquisitely crafted studio albums, though not often enough. Because of this infrequent output, fans hunger for more... and could be excused for buying anything with his name on it.Like his aptly titled "I've Suffered for my Art - Now it's Your Turn," this collection of "greatest hits" is a live album, designed to buy time until his next studio turn. And like "Suffered," this one should be avoided. It is a slapdash affair. The playing and production are amateurish, nothing like the sparkling playing, singing and arrangements he puts together in the studio. What might make for a nice night out at a folk club -- or an interesting radio show -- merely limps along as a standalone CD release. Few will be able to give it a second listen.And besides - what's the point? In this setting, we miss his amazing electric guitar sound, the snappy grooves of his rhythm section, and his exquisite layering (harmonies and instruments alike).Crenshaw is a vastly underappreciated gem and worthy of more fan support. However, instead of reaching for new (and pale) versions of his classic hits, consider exploring some of his less-well-known releases. (His relatively recent "Miracle of Science" is brilliant, and followup "No. 447" is strong.)"

Not THAT Bad

Arthur Martin | Toledo, OH United States | 11/24/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"For a discount-priced CD, this is actually not a bad buy. It does not have the same candy-coated production as MC's albums, obviously, but it is at least a decent live show. Just not exemplary.
If anyone has listened to Elvis Costello's mini-box-set with Steve Nieve, COSTELLO AND NIEVE, then they know the stripped-down musical aesthetic to expect.
Also, it was nice to hear a different take on the classics, particularly the guitar workout on "Cynical Girl.""