Sheryl Crow and Friends: Live From Central Park, Sheryl Crow (A&M)
It's True 霠She Really Is Better Live
With Chrissie Hynde, Stevie Nicks, the Dixie Chicks and others.
By Julene Snyder
It must be an amazing rush to play Central Park, and judging by
her ebullience here, Sheryl Crow enjoyed every second of it.
Recorded in September at a show that was partially broadcast
live on VH1, the album clocks in at just under 75 minutes.
That's a generous length, and may be nearly enough to satisfy
both Crow's fans and those of Crow's "friends" who shared the
stage.
The show opens with "Everyday is a Winding Road,"
(RealAudio excerpt) and a lyrical entreaty to "Jump in, let's
go, lay back, enjoy the show." And we do. Truth is, I've never
seen what all the Sheryl Crow fuss is about, but it turns out
that there is something to her fans' insistence that listening to
her albums isn't nearly as satisfying as seeing Crow live.
The singer/ songwriter easily interacts with
the crowd, teasing during "Leaving Las Vegas"
with: "So guess what, I'm playing in Central
Park tonight, and I've got some special friends
that are gonna come out later. You can be
patient, right?" There isn't long to wait,
actually, because the Dixie Chicks join in for
the very next song, "Strong Enough," lending
some twang and tang to the proceedings.
The new song "It Don't Hurt" (RealAudio
excerpt) is introduced this way by Crow:
"It's about getting over somebody and all the
stupid shit you do to get over them." While
Crow's whole band respectably conducts itself
here, violinist Mary Rowell deserves special
mention for her lovely playing.
While Crow mega-hits "A Change Would Do
You Good" and "All I Wanna Do" are obvious
crowd-pleasers, the audience goes ballistic
when Stevie Nicks comes out to sing lead on
"Gold Dust Woman." (RealAudio excerpt) When Chrissie Hynde
joins in on "If It Makes You Happy" it's clear that Hynde's
passionate growl could blow Crow offstage, but instead the
two trade verses.
Keith Richards pops in to offer up "Happy," alternating verses
with Crow while Hynde sings backup. Eric Clapton's turn
onstage featured Cream's "White Room" and Jimi Hendrix's
"Little Wing," but sadly, only the former is included on this
recording. The album closes with the obligatory all-star jam,
Dylan's "Tombstone Blues," with all of the players taking a stab
at vocals.
[Wed., December 15, 12:08 AM EST]
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