Track Listing

1. Diamond In The Rough
2. Shotgun Down The Avalanche
3. I Don't Know Whay
4. Cry Like An Angel
5. Ricochet In Time
6. Another Long One
7. Stranded
8. Something To Believe In
9. Don't You Think I Feel It Too
10. Kathy's Song
11. Knowing What I Know Now

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #118883 in Music
• Released on: 1995-09-05
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Live

Album Description
Through a special arrangement with Columbia Records we are able to bring to you Shawn's rare, classic solo live recording, previously available only at Shawn's early gigs. The original has become a genuine collector's item among her many fans. Includes brilliant performances of some of the best songs from her Columbia Records releases Steady On (A Grammy winner)and Fat City, in addition to several never-before-released tracks.

Amazon.com
Recorded prior to her Columbia signing, Colvin once supported herself by selling copies of this superb acoustic collection of material that would emerge on the Steady On and Fat City albums. The stark setting naturally highlights both the artist's gorgeous voice and songs like "Diamond In The Rough" or "I Don't Know Why" in such a pure, heart-rending way that it can never be captured in the studio. A rare and unexpected treat for Colvin devotees. --Jeff Bateman

Billboard, March 14 1998
Fans well-acquainted with Shawn Colvin inevitably find themselves clamoring for a live album. Happily, such a document exists.

Customer Reviews

Almost renders "Steady On" obsolete!
"Live '88" was the cassette tape that Shawn Colvin used to sell at her live shows before she landed a recording contract with Sony. It features eight of the ten songs that wound up on her fine debut album "Steady On," and when it finally saw a CD issue in 1995, it all but rendered that album obsolete.

The reason is fairly simple. The presentation on "Live '88" better fits that songs than the studio production of "Steady On." Here Shawn is accompanied by just her remarkable voice and her acoustic guitar. Call it Shawn Unplugged if you will.

As good as "Steady On" is, this is the CD on which you should hear these songs. The lone exception to the above rule is "Another Long One" which does benefit from the "pie tin" sounding production given it on "Steady On."

So, I guess the solution is to get "Live '88" first, and get "Steady On" when you can. Not only does "Live '88" have the superior version of these great songs, but it also has a breathtaking cover of Paul Simon's "Kathy's Song." If it were the only decent cut on the album, "Live '88" would still be worth getting for it alone!

Almost renders "Stedy On" obsolete!
"Live '88" was the cassette tape that Shawn Colvin used to sell at her live shows before she landed a recording contract with Sony. It features eight of the ten songs that wound up on her fine debut album "Steady On," and when it finally saw a CD issue in 1995, it all but rendered that album obsolete.

The reason is fairly simple. The presentation on "Live '88" better fits that songs than the studio production of "Steady On." Here Shawn is accompanied by just her remarkable voice and her acoustic guitar. Call it Shawn Unplugged if you will.

As good as "Steady On" is, this is the CD on which you should hear these songs. The lone exception to the above rule is "Another Long One" which does benefit from the "pie tin" sounding production given it on "Steady On."

So, I guess the solution is to get "Live '88" first, and get "Steady On" when you can. Not only does "Live '88" have the superior version of these great songs, but it also has a breathtaking cover of Paul Simon's "Kathy's Song." Even if it were the only decent cut on the album, "Live '88" would still be worth getting for it alone!

One of the most under-rated albums ever recorded
Perhaps the best unplugged album ever recorded. Shawn is a fabulous guitar player and a heart breaking singer songwriter. She played alongside the master, Richard Thompson, on a tour early in her career, and held her own. This is one of those recordings that improves the closer you listen. Put on the headphones and listen to every nuance of her voice. As a guitar player I marvel at the perfectly amazing and innovative accompaniment to her singing. If you like singer songwriters, this album is for you. Dito if you like acoustic guitar players or subtle emotive vocalists. If you already know you like this check out Eva Cassidy's "Live at Blues Alley"...a comparably truly great recording.