Search - Marti Jones :: Live at Spirit Square

Superb live album!

07/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Contrary to the previous writer's view, I think this is a wonderful introduction to Marti's music. So little is currently in print that it's the only way to sample her career as a whole. But it's much more than a filler: the album holds up extremely well by any standard. For a live album, it strikes me as amazingly clean-sounding and vivid -- no doubt partially because of the relatively small venue at Spirit Square in Charlotte.The songs form a terrific compendium of her work from the beginning through the early 90s (five albums of original work, through "Any Kind of Lie"). There are OK songs here, of course, but there are great ones too : try "Wind in the Trees," E. Costello's "Just a Memory," "Inside These Arms," and one of the most dazzlingly romantic songs I've ever heard, "Follow You All Over the World" (penned by Bland Simpson, and sung beautifully by Marti). The interplay with her hubby Don Dixon is fun as always, but Marti's pure, powerful voice is the main joy of all her records, and it sounds wonderful on this album.Three words: buy this album!"

Great live album, great performer

AudioJeff | Cleveland, OH United States | 02/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellently recorded live sound, Marti's in fine voice. Jaime Hoover(Spongetones) is a great guitar player who really helps make this a wonderful CD. Jim Brock adds interest with great percussion, and Don Dixon is, as always, right there on bass and vocals. Marti and the songs are the showcase, and this collection is a good overview of her first four albums "Unsophisticated Time", "Match Game", "Used Guitars", and "Any Kind Of Lie". If you want to hear a great, tight band performing quality songs and having fun with one of the most overlooked female voices in pop/rock, look no further."

Six Years Overdue

dev1 | Baltimore | 03/11/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Marti Jones recording career is somewhat convoluted and worth mentioning before examining "Live At The Spirit Square." She burst on the scene in 1988 with a critically acclaimed pop album titled "Used Guitars." Two years later Jones records "Live," disappears from the music scene for another 6 years, then finally releases "Live." To make matters more confusing, "Used Guitars" is out of print. So what? Well, we now have "Live At The Sprint Square" (sort of a best of Marti Jones album) with no previous material in print. Although "Live" stands well on its own merits, a better introduction to Jones' work is "Used Guitars."Anyway, the 19 songs on "Live" are mostly Marti Jones and Don Dixon compositions. Marti sings a lot like Jackie DeShannon, and Don Dixon favors blue eyed soul. Justly, we have Jones writing pop songs and singing like DeShannon against a soulful backdrop. The more captivating moments of the concert are the up-tempo rock selections. "Tourist Town," I've Got Second Sight," and "The Real One" feature chiming rhythm guitar, delectable lead guitar licks and resounding base lines. The second half of "Live" losses some momentum, but closes with a tour de force titled "Inside These Arms." Here, Jones delivers her most passionate singing and the band is in top form."