Comments on: L5: Live in Music City

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 15:39:50 +0000

I haven’t heard that particular Ray Steven’s tune, but I thought the first line sounded like the Beach Boy’s Kokomo.

By: MM

MM — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 14:24:06 +0000

I just purchased this project this weekend, and I must say I have mixed feelings. In the context of live recordings, it is at best mediocre. The set list is sub-par, the audience response seems “canned” at times (note: encore of “I’ve been changed”, an unnaturally fast crescendo of applause out of nowhere), and L5 seems to “over-act” with their on stage banter. Is it just me or does Scott F. seem to be having tone placement problems? He seems to struggle on “Jesus will Never Change” and “TMO”. However, the testimonies of FS and RB do well to set up “Peace” and “Lord, Stay Close To Me” . “My, My, My” Has a great hook, but I would have preferred to hear Glen take the lead on the first verse. Finally, may I commend L5 on producing a CD that has $17 worth of content. Not many groups come to my area of the country so most of my Cd’s are bought in bookstores or online. Paying $15-$17 for 33 minutes of music (GC’s “Revival”) seems a little ridiculous. Although, I might not like every song, at least there is plenty of listening material. Side note: The first line of Rodney Griffin’s “Temporary Tomb” bears a striking resemblance to a Ray Stevens number called “Osama Yo Mama”. So much so that I always end up singing the RS lyric at the start of the song.

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 03:47:06 +0000

I’ve been trying to find an appropriate post to share my opinion about “Truth is Marching On” and I feel that this is as good as one as any. Seeing as this whole issue involves L5, it seems like a good fit.

So I read the NQC post about the Talleys, Gold City and L5 all performing “Truth is Marching On” (which from here on out will be noted as TMO) and couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t help but be left with the question, how does that happen?

Let me flashback for a moment: I saw the Talley Trio in Ashland, KY the Sunday night before their new CD, “Rise Above” was released back in July, I think. That was the very first night I heard the song, TMO, and despite the Roger Bennett-esque rant about the “DaVinci Code” by Debra Talley, it was a very moving performance of a great song. Do keep in mind that this was like 2 months before NQC, so when I took the copy of “Rise Above” home that night, I was hopeful for the chart success that I thought the Talleys were going to have with the song.

Back to the present, or at least NQC. As a performer myself, I think there are very few things that are more embarrassing than showing up for a multi-group sing and one of the groups before or after you sing the same lead-ballad from your latest release. It’s really quite demoralizing, triple so in this case. It seems to me that there must have been a whole lot of miscommunication going on in Louisville, cause it would seem that the powers that be would have noticed and done something to prevent such a mishap.

Really the point to all of this is that I think the Talleys are really getting screwed in this whole deal. After all, their version of the song was in stores long before either Gold City’s or L5’s. The unfortunate thing, after listening to all three cuts of TMO this evening is that Gold City’s version stands out amongst them all, and should dwarf whatever chart success that the Talleys should have enjoyed. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Talleys’ version and they remain one of my favorite groups, but the Gold City camp has really done something wonderful with their rendition. The whole situation is wrong…just wrong. A great song I think is going to get lost in all of the “which group is singing it” drama.

By: Chad Pierce

Chad Pierce — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 20:05:52 +0000

The BFA Live in NYC record is awesome. “Squeaky clean” or not. If it sounded horrible and wasn’t clean, then you’d be harping about how rough it was. Make up your mind.

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 15:11:19 +0000

Good review…again.

I was a bit disppointed in the DVD. The audio is great, but you would think that in Nashville, Daywind could’ve invested in a better video company.

To support my statement, I was disappointed that the cameras always seemed to be late for special things, like piano solos or crowd response and the like.

Given some of the poor camera shots, or shots of the crowd, anticipating a response, but nothing happening (ex: roger’s piano solo in “Strike Up the Band.” At the end of the solo, the video cuts to a crowd shot, clearly anticipating applause, but there is none), it appears that there was very little time spent in post producing the video.

Other than that, I liked it a lot.

By: Ed Butler

Ed Butler — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 02:23:25 +0000

Fair review! I especially like the CD because I have come to believe these guys are for real. Now that is not saying anything about anybody else - or trying to imply the same. I am speaking of L5 only. To share a concert with them is to worship and be blessed.

L5 collectively is better than the sum of the parts. There is not one really outstanding vocalist - but they’re all really good - and the best accompanist in the business today - and perhaps ever.

I pray nightly for Roger Bennett and that we’ll have the blessing of many more years of his playing, emcee work, song writing - and an occasional feature song.

I attended their first concert ever in Marietta, GA and knew immediately they were for real.

A blessing indeed is to attend an evening with only L5.