Texas troubadour electrified on stage
hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 07/15/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Like many of Texas' musical troubadours, Deal's songs shine even more brightly in live performance than in the studio. Endless tours of the Lone Star state have not only honed the drama of Deal's presentation, but they've formed a Saturday-night bond with his audience, evidenced most clearly on this latest live recording. The craft of Deal's songs shines brightly in this live setting, with phrase making ("I'm tired of smelling like diesel / I'm tired of dodging the scales / I'm tired of nothing to show for the miles / Just the grease under my fingernails") that's as descriptive as ever. What sets this apart from his studio efforts is the lifting of words from the page and their transformation into experiences and parables shared with friends as stories of joy, despair and warning. Deal's band follows along, electrifying their country roots with a live energy that lights up the Denton, Texas venue.
The set list draws heavily from Deal's two most immediate previous, "The Lawless" and "Kiss on the Breeze," and mixes in a couple of tracks from his earlier "Honky Tonks 'n' Churches." Aside from reprising a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Mississippi Kid," these are all Deal's tunes. And fine tunes they are - Springsteen-esque story-portraits that are more West Texas grit than New Jersey urbana, with obvious nods to Earle and the Van Zandts (Townes and Ronnie). Two new studio tracks, "Hard Times" and "I've Got to Believe," foreshadow another fine set for his next release. Those who can't get to a Texas dancehall for a Saturday night of music, dancing and beer can get a great idea of what all the fuss is about right here on Deal's live offering."
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1