This live recording from Jeff Healey dates all the way back to December 1988. The recording quality seems just a little less than perfection. The performances, though, are on fire. I really like this album a lot. In fact, it’s one of my favorite live Healey albums.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013 Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
The Better It Gets
This starts gradually as the band just sort of jams to get things in place. It’s about two minutes in before they power it up to the song proper. The guitar soloing on this is fierce and on fire. This is an instrumental.
Further on up the Road A smoking hot bluesy rocker, this cut works really well. It’s got a lot of energy and some great guitar soloing.
My Little Girl There is even more energy on this one and perhaps Healey’s guitar soloing is even more incendiary here. This is another killer tune.
Blue Jean Blues Coming right out of the previous tune, it’s awesome to hear Healey covering this ZZ Top classic. It’s got a mellower, slower stripped down approach. What it lacks in power and speed, though, it more than makes up for in “cool.” It does get more power and oomph in a couple powered up jams, though.
Confidence Man A better known cut, this one rocks out like crazy here. It’s got a great performance overall and some smoking hot guitar soloing.
I Need To Be Loved More of a groove oriented cut, this one is less bluesy, perhaps and more of a rocker. It’s no less cool, though.
White Room Here Healey and company tackle this old classic. They put in quite an impressive rendition and Healey’s guitar soloing is positively on fire.
See the Light This number is positively on fire. The guitar soloing is some of the best here. Considering the competition, that says a lot. I just love the energetic blues rock groove to this thing.
Good Morning Blues This is much more of an old school blues tune. It’s a nice change, and they power it up well enough to make it work as a closing shot. As always, Healey’s guitar playing is top-notch. The fact that it’s a Christmas blues tune is great.
