Better Than Bootleg Vol. 3
Self-Released, 2019
8/10
Listen to Better Than Bootleg Vol. 3
A live recording from a performance at The City Winery in Boston, Massachusetts on December 2, 2018, this 3rd live installment from the Adam Ezra Group captures their animated Americana sound and dynamic musicianship perfectly in their preferred setting.
“The Toast” starts the album with cozy acoustic strumming and elegant strings, before Ezra’s raw yet melodic vocal set in to the enticing opening, and “Like A Thief” follows with a percussively heavy, jam band friendly tune.
At 16 tracks there’s much to absorb here, but there’s also much diversity, as piano balladry like “Hold Each Other Now”, which was co-written by John Oates flows well alongside the spirited, rootsy and backing female vocals of “All I Am” (also co-penned by Oates). Elsewhere, “Juna” flirts with playful folk rock where keys add much to the setting, while “Steal Your Daughter” finds a nice groove amid a grittier atmosphere.
Near the end, “Let Your Hair Down” has the outfit entering elegant and breezy territory with flowing melodies, and “I Believe” ends the listen with a soaring, cautious and extremely accomplished exit.
Though they have plenty of studio records as well, Adam Ezra and company shine brightest when on stage, and here the band is documented at their creative peak.
Travels well with: Stephen Kellogg- Blunderstone Rookery; William Elliott Whitmore- Kilonova