Search - Monte Montgomery :: Live at the Caravan of Dreams

Fleet-fingered fretman Monte Montgomery has quietly carved out a name for himself on the competitive Austin music scene as a poll-winning guitar hero and a must-see live act. What's more, on a scene known for blazing Stevie Ray-style Stratocasters, he's done it all with an acoustic guitar! Montgomery's first live effort, a double disc recorded at Fort Worth's palatial performing-arts venue Caravan of Dreams, showcases his guitar prowess and the popular appeal of his live band's propulsive power. Most of the acoustic rock-oriented material comes from Montgomery, as self-penned staples from his live show are interspersed with such favorites as "Wishing Well," "Whirlwind," and "When Will I" from his two studio albums. Montgomery and the band make the most of the live setting, stretching out the songs--five go past 10 minutes--with creative instrumental interplay. Montgomery also successfully mixes in a diverse selection of cover tunes, including a percussion-driven rendition of Fleetwood Mac's "World Turning" and a radically reworked, almost satiric take on Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings." The Hall & Oates hit "Sara Smile" and Dire Straits' "Romeo and Juliet," the latter the 13-minute album closer, also appear in personalized versions spotlighting Montgomery's aggressive acoustic-guitar excellence and his crowd-pleasing personality as a live entertainer. --Michael Point