Live Those Songs Again

Live country albums are relatively scarce these days, and that's regrettable. Granted, the studio is a remarkable place, yet there's something about a quality concert recording--the immediacy and raw interaction with the audience--that no studio effort can match. While most concert albums are recorded at one location, Kenny Chesney created this collection from tapes of five years of shows at various locales. The material reflects the past eight years of his career, including "How Forever Feels" from 1998, "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" from 1999, and "What I Need to Do" from 2000. "When the Sun Goes Down" comes complete with Uncle Kracker, who appeared on the single. There's an edgy version of 2005's "Beer in Mexico" and a remarkable performance of "Anything But Mine" in which a surprised Chesney stands by as the audience takes over the chorus. What's amazing is the blazing-hot consistency of the band throughout. While their backing reflects Chesney's arena-rock influences (no number is shorter than four minutes), his charisma, energetic presence, and ability to connect is pure country. --Rich Kienzle