loving live albums

Over the next few months I'll be posting reviews of my top desert island discs in response to a delicious challenge. I'm happy to do this because I've been thinking about it for years, probably since the first time I saw "High Fidelity" (and then read the book). I made a preliminary list last night to get my mind working and it surprised me, but more on that later. Being a purist, I leave out all compilations, best-of albums, soundtracks, or mix CDs that my friends have made me (though some of them are incredibly good!). I present these in no particular order because it was hard enough to come up with the list. Ranking them is an impossibility.

I'm pretty sure I couldn't live without Live Wide Open by Martin Sexton. First, I love live albums (if it's well-recorded, of course). The dynamic interchange between performer and audience gets to the heart of music: communication. The next best thing to being there and being part of that exchange is listening in on the conversation. Because Sexton is such a talented performer the disc fairly sizzles with the electricity of the concerts. Musically, it's a terrific blend of the thoughtful reflective lyrics, rollicking guitar-driven rock, and crazy vocal improvisation that have made Sexton a college campus hit for years. I love the bluesy angst of "Freedom of the Road" juxtaposed with the genuine fun of "Ice Cream Man" or "Things You Do to Me." I further like the disc because Sexton has steadfastly refused to sign with a record company, a move he describes as "selling out." I respect how rigorously he's defended his creative independence. And finally, as Bethany said, double albums are an added bonus.

However, this is my list of desert island discs and the real reason this one makes it is personal. Thanks to my college's wonderful Student Activities Office I got to see Marty (as we called him) live twice (and he's coming back again in September). Every time I listen to the last track of Live Wide Open I picture the sold-out Fine Arts Center, quiet as a church, all the lights off except a single spot on Sexton. He moves out to the front of the stage, unplugs his guitar, steps away from the mic, and starts his trademark, soulful rendition of Amazing Grace. The acoustics of the hall carry his voice and guitar beautifully to all 1200 of us. I go to concerts for moments like that, and this disc is the closest approximation I get on a regular basis.

Stay tuned for more desert island discs...