Search - Live From Austin Texas on DVD

Neko Case, brilliant fox confessor from 2003, worthy of six

Fred Rudofsky | upstate NY United States | 10/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This has to rank among the top ten shows ACL has ever broadcast, and whether you are new to Neko or a long-time fan, you'll want to get yourself a copy. Heck, I bought three! Her voice is soulful, and the sparse accompaniement makes those spaces between the notes just that much more poignant. Kelly Hogan's harmonies deserve a big thumbs-up, too--she's the best singing partner since Emmylou Harris. Jon Rauhouse plays some sublime steel and banjo, and Tom Ray (with ZZ Top inspired beard, as Neko noted in the original broadcast) plays the notes that hold it together behind Neko's deft tenor playing. "Deep Red Bells", "In California", and the best Dylan cover this side of Hendrix, "Buckets of Rain" (is there a better love song than Neko's performance here?), will have you raving to the music fans in your life. Get friends and family a copy, and enjoy this artisan of the twilight realm of deep sound and vivid imagery, Neko Case. And hopefully, ACL will have a full show (60 minutes +) someday of Neko and her current band."

Fantastic night under "the stars"!

D. S. Lewis | Atlanta, GA USA | 10/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just got my copy, and popped it straight into my DVD player (no problems playing at all).The picture and sound quality is absolutely superb. I have never seen any Austin City Limits broadcast look or sound this good!
Neko is so good that I'm almost afraid to introduce my friends to her music, from fear that she might get big and be ruined by the music industry! Having said that, the selections here are a good introduction to those who haven't been converted yet. My only complaints would be that I kinda wish that she would've went ahead and included a drummer (although bassist Tom Ray does a great job of multitasking by playing the bass and stomping on a tambourine at the same time, something I didn't notice when I saw the broadcast version), and I was slightly disappointed that the producers of the DVD cut out a bit of the between-song banter that was on the broadcast version. Very minor quibbles for yet another stellar addition to the Neko Case catalog."

Great concert!

Carl W. Sittig | Redmond, WA USA | 04/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had the CD of this concert for a couple months and just figured out it was also on DVD. It is amazing the sound that Neko and the band get out of a stand up bass, acoustic guitar, and pedal steel. The DVD captures the sound very well.

I just "discovered" Neko Case a few months ago poking around on the Zune service. I have since downloaded all her albums. It's always fun to find new music to enjoy. Highly recommended."

Extremely good

Up The Stairs | Seattle, WA | 03/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I came into the Neko Case camp a bit late, having received her album, Fox Confessor, just a few months ago. I had no idea the woman existed, but I am now a big fan. After being intrigued by the album, I wanted to see her actually sing, so I bought this dvd from Amazon hoping for the best. I am very satisfied with this Austin City Limits performance, but, after hearing Fox Confessor, it does sound a bit dated. Having said that, I want to point out that it really doesn't matter. She's a great singer and a very gracious and generous performer. I'm not sure if I've ever watched anybody sing with such heartfelt warmth for her audience.

On this dvd she has a sparse, yet tight band. She also employs a back-up singer along with the other four musicians. It is all very good stuff, a bit country, but mostly straight ahead music. She has since moved slightly left of country and more into a jazz-folk sound, and that could explain my comment about the performance seeming dated. Nonetheless, it is great stuff, and I highly recommend Neko Case on Austin City Limits. I look for big things from Neko Case in the future. She definitely is an improvement over the stale sounds being thrown at us from the corporate offerings."