Songs From The Blue House
Album: Live
Label: Blue House
Tracks: 17
Website: http://songsfromthebluehouse.com/

One of the things that has been brought about the improvements in technology is a real improvement in the quality of the ubiquitous live album. Historically they were seen as an opportunity to get the last bang for the buck from the tour. Quite often the bootlegs were at least as good as quality as the proper album, many of which featured overdubs to disguise the worst of the failings. Many live albums really being a fans only endeavour.

As "Live" from Songs From The Blue House shows that's really changed over the last few years, nowadays the real decision around live is how much of the applause and between song banter do you leave in. I have to say SFTBH have found a really good balance there.

The litmus test for any live album has to be whether or not you regret not being there. With "Live" the answer is probably no, but had I been there, I really think I'd have had a great time, the album definitely captures the spirit of the gig as well as the notes and words.

Clocking in at some 70 minutes and I suspect probably more on the night, this really is a good time set from SFTBH plenty of drive, hooks and passion, one of those albums that even if you'd decided to sit down arms folded and cross legged would easily and very quickly have you opening up and discovering your toes wanting to go ahead and tap.

Pitched towards a raucous folk/country rock sound, "Live" is a warts and all presentation of a band that's having a great time and taking their audience. Yeah sure there's a couple of dodgy moments when pitch isn't exactly what you would call perfect, but they are few and far between in a set that really entertains.

The vocal attack of Songs From The Blue House switches between male and female singers, greatly adding to the variety of the songs and two of my favourite songs from the album, "Not That Kind Of Girl" and "The Girl With The Scrambled Yellow" hair are split across the genres.

"Live" isn't an album just for the fans, it's an album that serves as a good introduction to a band, that whilst serious about their music, ultimately want to get out and entertain.

Neil King