Audio CD review:
David Wilcox - Live Songs & Stories

David Wilcox - Live Songs & Stories

Band: David Wilcox Title: Live Songs & Stories Rating: Release Date: 09 April, 2002 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Rusty Old American Dream 2: The Terminal Tavern 3: Show The Way 4: Impact... 5: Eye Of The Hurricane 6: Two Roads Diverge 7: Hold It Up To The Light 8: Waffle House 9: Start With The Ending 10: Get It Out Of The Way 11: Moe 12: Shiny Ride 13: Spin 14: No Far Away 15: Travelling Companion 16: Words Alone 17: Appreciating The Differences 18: Good Together 19: Metaphorical Reasons 20: That's What The Lonely Is For 21: Kindness

Editoral Review This largely solo acoustic live set--Jake Armerding adds a bit of fiddle and mandolin--more than accomplishes that goal. On stage, via songs and stories, David Wilcox is on a mission: to uplift, inspire, and cajole to laughter. Still, the material, as well as the between-song banter, often comes off with the vague, hopeful spirituality of a motivational speaker. The principal flaw lies in the selections: Wilcox's tougher, smartly detailed work is forsaken for message songs about roads not taken, rusty American dreams, and "kindness that clears my skies. " Some of the well-rehearsed stories are genuinely funny, but Wilcox rarely challenges his audience to think or feel beyond New Age platitudes. Fans will delight in reliving his intimate live shows, but newcomers would be better served by wider-ranging, less preachy efforts like East Asheville Hardware or What You Whispered. --Roy Kasten .. You can see a complete list of all David Wilcox discography, or go back to the David Wilcox tabs