Little Village
(Ry Cooder, John Hiatt, Nick Lowe, Jim Keltner)
April 26, 1992
Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA
FM Broadcast (WBCN), Excellent Quality recording
mp3 @ 256
Here is a gem from the short-lived band Little Village, formed by the all-star lineup of John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, Nick Lowe, and drummer Jim Keltner in 1992. Unfortunately, when their album was released later that year, most fans were dissappointed with the result. Although a solid album, it just wasn't up to the expectations and high standards set by the talent involved. The songs, which were all listed as collaborations of all four members, were not as memorable as most from Hiatt's (or the other members) recent solo albums. As a result, the group disbanded later that year, and each went back to their own solo work. However, they did tour that year in support of their album, and the tour was much more successful. It is a joy to hear these guys playing together as a band in concert. They are all consumate musicians and just seem to be having fun. For the most part, the Little Village songs also come across much better live than on record, as Ry Cooder's great guitar and slide work is much more prominent in the longer, looser, live versions. And live, the band also gets to do some of their earlier songs from each of their solo repertoires. So, although Little Village was somewhat of a failed experiment for these guys, their live show, as demonstrated here in Boston on one of their last shows from the American tour, was great, and we were fortunate to have had these guys get together for this tour and interesting musical venture. This is an excellent FM recording, probably the best of the recorded versions of Little Village live shows. So, check 'em out, the once and only Little Village.
Disc 1: 66:22
1. Introduction 1:03
2. She Runs Hot 3:57
3. Band introduction by Nick Lowe 2:53
4. The Action 3:37
5. Fool Who Knows 4:31
6. Crazy About an Automobile 6:06
7. Inside Job 5:23
8. Do You Want My Job? 6:36
9. Alone in the Dark 5:42
10. Take Another Look 4:57
11. Solar Sex Panel 4:57 (tape flip during applause)
12. Don't Think About Her When You're Trying to Drive 6:04
13. Memphis in the Meantime 5:28
14. Crying in My Sleep 5:06
Disc 2: 53:54
15: Don't Go Away Mad 5:10
16: Big Love 8:15
17: Little Sister 4:35
18: Across the Borderline 7:39
19: Carter Alan Encore Break #1 1:07
20: Don't Bug Me When I'm Workin' 5:58 [tape flip during applause]
21: Half a Boy and Half a Man 3:52
22: Announcer Encore Break #2 1:00
23: Thing Called Love 7:46
24: Lipstick Sunset 6:11
25: Carter Alan Closing Credits 2:19
Total Runtime: 120:16
