Scattered Pieces: Live (Compact Disc)

AVERAGE RENDERING FROM AN EXCEPTIONAL ARTIST

After 2005’s surprisingly strong Live in Seattle from Shawn McDonald, one might think it odd that he would produce a second live project this soon. However, fans who have seen him in person know that live performances happen to be one of McDonald’s specialties. Leaning heavily on a fairly balanced collection of songs from both 2004’s Simply Nothing and last year’s Ripen, Scattered Pieces: Live is indeed an eclectic mix recorded from the best of McDonald’s set lists.

Although his lyrics are consistently poignant and artistic, his sophomore live offering fails to convey the creative expression that differentiates his live show from the rest of the acoustic pack. (For instance, during his “Ripen Tour,” an artist painted on stage throughout McDonald’s entire set.)

While Live In Seattle included personal stage commentary between songs, this time around, over an hour of solid music ensues. Fans will enjoy four new recordings including a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace” and the sprightly “Shadowlands,” based on Psalm 23. Sadly, however, none of the three originals truly excels. Audience participation on hits “Gravity” and “Take My Hand” provides spirited arrangements, and “Beautiful” (a duet with tour mate Alli Rogers) serves as an eloquent ending, but no standout moments, such as his version of “Over the Rainbow” on Seattle, exist. Although live recordings usually provide the artist with an opportunity for experimentation, McDonald prefers stripped-down, less eccentric versions of his songs, leaving little room to exceed expectations of the originals.

Although his gravelly voice sounds passionately warm, this isn’t a strong, memorable set. Hopefully, this release will pacify the most eager fans and anticipation will build for McDonald’s next studio attempt, which will hopefully raise his profile and sustain his creative journey.

LINDSAY WILLIAMS

Review Provided by CCMmagazine.com

GINNY OWENS Live in New Orleans and SHAWN McDONALD Live in Seattle

Two live discs bring the concert to you.

The best live albums reveal artistic layers that can, for various commercial and aesthetic reasons, get lost in the sterile environment of the recording studio—banter between songs, an extended jam or the pure adrenaline of the stage. When it’s done well, the artist gets to stretch, and the listener gets to imagine (or remember) being a part of something special.

Two new live discs from accomplished singer-songwriters Ginny Owens and Shawn McDonald are as different as the artists themselves, but they both reveal new layers in an understated way.

McDonald’s album, recorded in Seattle, is a spare, acoustic disc that finds him accompanied only by a guitarist/cellist and backup singer. But they’re more than enough to help McDonald run through eight songs from his 2004 debut, Simply Nothing, plus a couple of new and rare tracks. The charm here is that the recording captures the intimacy of the evening: the crowd is vocal and alive, cheering through hits “Gravity” and “Take My Hand,” and McDonald sounds like he’s just playing a couple of songs for some friends.

Singer Cara Flory adds crisp harmonies, and extra guitar and cello provide just enough ornamentation. Sixpence None the Richer’s Matt Slocum added extra instruments in the studio, which undercuts the “live” claim of the disc, but we’ll let that slide. By the time McDonald ends with a gentle cover of “Over the Rainbow,” he’s got the crowd in his pocket.

Ginny Owens’ disc was recorded down in the Big Easy last August, and in keeping with the locale, a simple guitar, bass and drum trio accompanies her piano and vocals. The fact that the group is her long-time touring band accounts for the relaxed feel of the evening’s set, which includes hits “Free” and “If You Want Me To” as well as a fine reinterpretation of Lenny Kravitz’s “Let Love Rule.”

The evening is exceptionally well-recorded, and Owens’ voice sounds pure and strong. In fact, about the only criticism one can level at Live From New Orleans is that the recording is so clean that at times it sounds more like a studio creation than a live show. (In fact, the album wraps with a new studio recording, “Live Once,” that has a vibe remarkably similar to the live cuts.) Still, the cool drum and bass break in “I Love the Way” and the guitar jam late in “Let Love Rule” reminds us that we are indeed hearing something magical from the stage.

ANTHONY DeBARROS

Review Provided by CCMmagazine.com