Lucinda Williams ACL DVD...

[bluesbreaker59]

Didn't see where this has been discussed before. But after watching it again last night I have to say something that really bothered me...

First off the good:

Lucinda was in good voice, the harmony vocals with Jim Lauderdale were great, her rhythm section is tight and Kenny Vaughan was playing BEAUTIFUL stuff.

Now for the bad, John Jackson. This guy looked like a complete poser, he kept playing slide guitar, which really looked like his only contribution to the band really. His vibrato is one of the worst I've ever heard in my life, whether it was with a slide or his finger. I liked the thick tone, I liked his guitar choices, they looked great, the Gretsch that he played for a couple tunes sounded fabulous, for some of that "deep note rhythm playing", but other than that he just looked liked he was posing for the camera.

I really wished Bo Ramsey would've been on this video playing slide instead of John, great player, and great tone, and he's a slide master. Kenny Vaughan can play everything else just fine. A DVD with Pettibone would be fabulous too, I love his playing on the Fillmore disc.

Jackson doesn't even seem to fit in with all the other players really. Doug Pettibone, Kenny Vaughan, Gurf Morlix, and Bo Ramsey (even Sexton) are all tone monsters that can really play, and don't seem to be looking for a camera to "mug" on (pulling the GE Smith routine as some call it). I'm sure he must be a fine player, because I know Lucinda gets only the best it seems. But on that DVD he's clearly the weak link, his slide playing on i think it was Joy, was cringe inducing with that vibrato.

[sandman]

It's an amazing DVD, great playing...John Jackson's amazing too IMHO, he's got a bit looser vibe, true...more of a rock player than a country man, sure, But otherwise I don't hear ya...

He was 'good enough' to spend seven (or so) years in Dylan's band.

OTOH, I can't stand Doug Pettibone. Sounds so out of place, like he came from a different band. Weird & wrong timing appropriate for Jewel maybe but not for Lu.

Gurf Morlix is God, not just because of his playing. As are the rest of the mighty players you mentioned...

[Gas-man]

Is this the one where Lucinda needs the lyrics to sing the songs she wrote?

She's really gotta get off that buze.

[BurstWurst]

I saw Doug Pettibone with Lucinda at the Ryman about a year ago and I was floored by his playing and fabulous tone.

[mprvise]

I saw Doug Pettibone with Lucinda at the Ryman about a year ago and I was floored by his playing and fabulous tone.

Agreed. Saw the band about a hear and a half ago - very tasty playing and tone by Doug. Totally fit the songs, especially the slower stuff.

[humbuster]

Been thinking about picking this up.
How's the production (pic and sound) quality?

[katuna]

Yeah, I don't get that Pettibone comment at all. I think he's perfect - playing and tonewise.

[bluesbreaker59]

Pettibone, completely fits her songs, I didn't understand that comment at all. I'm listening to that Fillmore Disc 2 again now, he sounds great to me.

That Jackson guy on that DVD, almost ruins it for me.

I think the sound of the DVD is good, band is tight and everything. Lucinda shows pretty much no emotion the whole time, and seems like she doesn't want to be on camera, IMHO.

She's coming to Des Moines in late October and I know I can't wait to go to see Doug play live, his tone is just too much. As big of a fan as I am of Bo, I think Pettibone fits her style even better, though I do miss the slide playing that Bo brought.

Anyone have Pettibone's own cd?

[JamminJoe]

I don't get the Doug Pettibone comment either. Although, the guy may not understand that Pettibone is one guitarist in a live setting trying to fill out a sound accomplished by several more musicians and instruments on the recording. He does a damn impressive job considering how rich Lucinda's records sound with all of the acoustic instruments in the mix.

[SnidelyWhiplash]

If you like Kenny Vaughn,you should check out his playing with Marty
Stuart.

[Gas-man]

If you like Kenny Vaughn,you should check out his playing with Marty
Stuart.

A little too country for the Lucinda crowd methinks.

I saw him last month. Damn!

[bluesbreaker59]

I love Marty Stuart also, and saw he and Kenny live together about 5 or 6 years ago. Kenny was amazing, and Marty's no slouch.

[Tone Disciple]

Don't get the Pettibone remark either. IMHO he has taken the Lucinda stuff to a new level.

I thought the OP was going to point out what another responder did later - total lack of emotion on this DVD.

I love Lucinda and have had this DVD for some time, but I have only watched it a couple of times because she just steps up to the mic and sings with so little emotion it actually gets kind of boring. You might as well listen to a CD as watch the video.

Again, I love Lucinda, and this may be nitpicking, but when I have seen her live she has a lot more involvement with the audience than it shows on this DVD. So forgive the criticism, keep up the good work, but please let us know you love what you do!

[sandman]

no involvement from Lucinda on ACL DVD? did you LISTEN to her singing? sounds pretty involved to me...If that ain't an excellent DVD dunno what is.

Pettibone sounds like a guitarist's guitarist, no wonder guitarist populated messageboard likes him...I'm by no means a traditionalist and I get what you're saying but he failed at it. I realize it's hard to find a player willing to stay on the road with one band for years so I respect Lucinda's choice. So what if she reads the lyrics? She wrote them and has a right to behave the way she wants, if you wan't yr fireworks after the second encore go see Sting or something.

John Jackson was good enough for Dylan - for a long time. He's a great player with a great feel. Dig out an ol' tape of Dylan's '94 Woodstock performance and be convinced...Do you want the list of those who weren't? Poor Bucky Baxter :D

But what do I know Dylan's probably just an old guy mumbling through his own song destroying them night by night.

[supergenius365]

Is this the one where Lucinda needs the lyrics to sing the songs she wrote?

She's really gotta get off that buze.

She has been doing that forever. I have read that she doesn't look at them,but that she just "needs" them on stage as a security blanket.

I have seen her live, and her performance can look uninspired.

Kenny Vaughn, OTOH, is an animal.

[bluesbreaker59]

no involvement from Lucinda on ACL DVD? did you LISTEN to her singing? sounds pretty involved to me...If that ain't an excellent DVD dunno what is.

Pettibone sounds like a guitarist's guitarist, no wonder guitarist populated messageboard likes him...I'm by no means a traditionalist and I get what you're saying but he failed at it. I realize it's hard to find a player willing to stay on the road with one band for years so I respect Lucinda's choice. So what if she reads the lyrics? She wrote them and has a right to behave the way she wants, if you wan't yr fireworks after the second encore go see Sting or something.

John Jackson was good enough for Dylan - for a long time. He's a great player with a great feel. Dig out an ol' tape of Dylan's '94 Woodstock performance and be convinced...Do you want the list of those who weren't? Poor Bucky Baxter :D

But what do I know Dylan's probably just an old guy mumbling through his own song destroying them night by night.

Dylan is a wonderful writer, no doubt about it, and I respect him immensely, but that doesn't make me like John Jackson's terrible vibrato anymore. It sounds nervous and twitchy, and just wrong.

Compare Jackson's slide playing with Bo Ramsey on the same Lucinda tunes, you'll hear the difference.

Aside from that Bo isn't one to "mug" for the camera either like Jackson does on that ACL video.

[sandman]

Oh, I agree...Bo's great, his solo work as well as what he's done with Greg Brown is breathtaking...

I didn't notice JJ's lack of vibrato skills...take his attitude as part swaggerish part ironic...he's no poseur for sure. The rest of the band is reaaally tight and his style helps loosen things a bit...

I'd take this as minor flaws - don't let it ruin the great DVD experience for you!

didn't meant to act like an a-***...just to heat things up a bit...and add a different perdpective.

Lucinda's got a new album out soon. We'll see how that goes....

[Gas-man]

Does she still have Dwight Yoakam's old rhythm section?

Taras and Jim Christie?

[bluesbreaker59]

Oh, I agree...Bo's great, his solo work as well as what he's done with Greg Brown is breathtaking...

I didn't notice JJ's lack of vibrato skills...take his attitude as part swaggerish part ironic...he's no poseur for sure. The rest of the band is reaaally tight and his style helps loosen things a bit...

I'd take this as minor flaws - don't let it ruin the great DVD experience for you!

didn't meant to act like an a-***...just to heat things up a bit...and add a different perdpective.

Lucinda's got a new album out soon. We'll see how that goes....

Ah, another Bo fan, very cool, I've got almost everything he's ever played on, I'm a huge fan, especially of his slide playing.

[SnidelyWhiplash]

A little too country for the Lucinda crowd methinks.

I saw him last month. Damn!

God forbid anyone would want to hear decent music on this forum. Who
gives a $hit about genre, Good music is good music!

[ezyrydr]

rather than start a new thread I thought I would revive this one.

I saw this DVD last night for the first time and was impressed with both guitarist.

Since this is The Gear Page I thought I'd see if anyone has any insight on what gear these guys were playing?

I could see that Jackson had a Dr. Z but I don't know what model, and another little fender TV front style amp. I liked his tele a lot, any idea what that was?

And Kenny Vaughn had some nice stuff too, what was he playing?

What pedals were these guys using? Tube Screamers?

How about the tremelo, does that dr. z have tremelo or was he using a pedal?

Thanks!

[Gas-man]

When I saw Kenny this summer he had a bunch of Boss pedals.

[pingman]

+1 for the Marty and Kenny Vaughan live shows.
Believe it or not, I also like Lucinda and Pettibone alot!