Robert Earl Keen
No Kinda Dancer
– Koch 9808
A Bigger Piece of Sky
– Koch 9807
No. 2 Live Dinner
– Koch 9806
Ruf Records - 1127
visit Robert's website
Dancer available on amazon
Sky available on amazon
Dinner available on cd universe
Koch has redone these three discs of early Robert Earl Keen and they are listed above in the order they were released. These have been hard to find at best, and show the growing Texas songwriter stretching toward his vision. His songs are filled with references that might be more familiar those who grew up with a rural or Texas background, but are easily understood by anyone. No Kinda Dancer, his debut album, first released in 1984, has three additional bonus tracks and also has his version of “The Front Porch Song”, the co-writer a fellow by the name of Lyle Lovett who had a hit with it. The rest was written by Keen with the exception of “Swervin’ In My Lane”, where the descant written by Nanci Griffith. This disc also has appearances by Joe Ely on pedal steel guitar and both Nanci Griffith, and Lyle Lovett doing harmony vocals. The playing behind him is solid and allows his songs to come to the forefront, where the story in them becomes the key ingredient.
A Bigger Piece of Sky, first released in 1993, has been newly remastered and resequenced “…this reissue features the songs in the order they were meant to be heard…” Robert Earl Keen. He shows a developing sense of wry humor that will continue to run through his work. This disc features some crack playing by a band that features the likes of Marty Stuart on mandolin, Jonathan Yudkin on violin and Garry Tallent on upright and electric bass, there are some fine vocals and harmony vocals by Maura O’Connell. This was recorded in Nashville and has a bit more polish than the other 2 discs.
No. @ Live Dinner is, as the title suggests a live disc, and this is perhaps the best way to appreciate REK. Here he is playing before a lively crowd which is loud and enthusiastic, however in no way interferes with the music but
rather encourages them. He is playing with the band that he has been playing with for several years and they are joined by Lloyd Maines on pedal steel guitar (he also produced the disc). There is a wonderful 8:31 rendition of “The Road Goes On Forever,” which has become a signature song of his. Also included are “Gringo Honeymoon,” and “Rollin’ By,” and the twisty Terry Allen tune, “Amarillo Highway.” The tone of the music here runs from that wonderful Texas swing to folk to some flat out rockers where Rich Brotherton gets to stretch out on lead guitar. This is a high-energy sample of the musical hodge-podge that makes up some of the best of Texas music, combined with his wonderful way with tangled little stories for which he is known that involve the audience. Don’t miss these reissues as they are very well done and just a joy to listen to.