David Byrne achieved fame and success as the lead singer for the Talking Heads, and his solo work since then has been less well known but consistently good. Both these sides of his music are displayed on Live from Austin, Texas.This album was recorded in 2001, the same year as Byrne's Look into the Eyeball, so it's no surprise that about half of the live album comes from there. The other songs are Talking Heads staples -- "Once in a Lifetime," "Life During Wartime," "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" -- along with a few other Bryne tunes and a very fun Whitney Houston cover.
Live from Austin, Texas is a very good album. While a song or two could have used some backing vocals, Bryne's earnest, unique voice usually works quite well; he also plays a mean guitar, and the other musicians are excellent (notably the violinist's work on "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)." If you enjoy David Byrne's music with or after the Talking Heads, Live from Austin, Texas will have you enjoying Byrne's passionate singing and playing.
Overall grade: A-
Reviewed by James Lynch
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