Search - Robert Earl Keen :: Live at the Ryman

UNDER-WHELMING

Edward A. Davis | San Clemente, CA | 07/12/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"definitely not #2 live dinner. no cool stories, nothing different than listening to the album version with some people yelling in between songs. a couple of cool solos by rich brotherton & marty muse, but other than that, save your money. i am a very long time fan and hate to have to write a poor review."

Keen is keen at the Ryman!

John T. Tkach | 07/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have REK in live format on 3 CDs and 2 DVDs and although this one does not have any "story telling" on (like Live Dinner #2), it is the best. I can't wait to get it on DVD when it is released in early October! The song selections - we all could want more - are some of his best and the music (the band rocks) makes you want to take the CD, your pick-up truck and your cooler of beer out to your favorite drinking spot and turn it up to 10 and stay all night (and hitting the replay button) listening and sipping on your cold Shiner Bock! Great renditions of Feelin Good Again, I'm Comin Home, What I Really Mean, and Gringo Honeymoon (I want to do this with my wife) for the lover in you; Shades of Gray, Amarillo Highway and Corpus Christi Bay for your rowdy side; and The Road Goes On Forever over 10 minutes long - first five with lyrics and last five with rockin instrumental by the band - that will be a real treat on DVD. I am guessing that this was done near Christmas given the rendition of Merry Christmas From the Family - but it is a good one. Bottom line is that this is a gem and a real keeper. Buy it TODAY!"

Good band, lame songs, strained vocals

Mister Buzz | Portland, OR USA | 12/06/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I am an ardent, longtime REK fan. I know most of his songs and have seen him live a number of times. I consider him a genuine talent and one of my favorite musicians. Unfortunately, this album failed to meet expectations. While the band is in customarily crisp form here, with Rich Brotherton (guitar)and Marty Muse (pedal steel) consistently showcasing their ample talents, the set suffers from the inclusion of too many medicore songs--Train Trek, Farm Fresh Onions, Furnace Fan--and from Robert Earl's grating over-the-top vocals. It seems like he's trying way too hard, nervously aware that he's playing in one of country music's hallowed halls. His self-indulgent caterwauling and monotonous talk-singing all but ruin even the best songs, most notably Shades of Gray. Also, as alluded to by a previous reviewer, the inclusion of yet another version of The Road Goes On Forever is unnecessary. I know it is his signature song but too much of anything is too much. (The same might be said of Merry Christmas from the Family. He's played that thing to death.) To sum up, Live at the Ryman is a disappointing effort from an artist who could offer up much better. Next time, I hope he will."