Taken from half-hour Austin City Limits show, this taping recorded November 14, 1996 includes all the songs originally broadcast, plus never before heard or seen material from the tapings. The set showcases Son Volt at its best, having come off the release of their debut (Trace) the previous year, and Jay Farrar was showing that there clearly was life without Jeff Tweedy and his alt-country crusaders in Uncle Tupelo. Highlights include the weepy "Tear Stained Eye" and road anthem "Loose String." Farrar closes the set by paying homage to his former band, playing a raucous version of "Chickamauga." (New West, www.newwestrecords.com)
Son Volt
Live from Austin, Texas Series
BY David McPhersonPublished Jul 1, 2005