Grant Langston & the Super Models Live Recording
TravSonic had the pleasure of recording the live performance of Grant Langston and the Supermodels in Bakersfield, CA. The band performed at Club Fishlips on a warm weekend evening March 10, 2007. This album captured the moment and audience interaction.
Review from Britain’s Maverick Magazine
A Genuine live album full of sweat and hard-edge country
Even without a shred of evidence, having never heard a Grant Langston studio album, it’s hard to believe that they can come close to catching the untamed energy of this live album. There are bands that flourish in the studio and then there are those, which surely include Grant Langston and The Supermodels, who feed off the audience almost as a parasite hoes its host. Songs like Baby, It’s Raining were born to be played live, it’s not note on note or technically perfect – which is another way of saying it hasn’t had the life produced out of it – instead it fizzes and crackles with the promise of a night to remember.
This is also a true live recording, one night, one go, it’s not the “best” culled from a series of gigs, which seems to defeat the object of recreating, as near as possible, the gig experience, warts and all. And there lies the essence of Live in Bakersfield, hard living country music, with the sweat stains visible, played to an audience who have come to be entertained. There is a bright twinkle in the eye of Grant Langston and his Supermodels; Him or ME for one follows the grand tradition of country-rock songs, substituting hearts and flowers for something altogether eartheir and meatier.
It would also be an injustice to neglect the Supermodels. A most uncountry-like name hides a tight, aggressive collection of musicians. Langston hasn’t gathered together a rag tag band of sidemen, happy to stand in the shadows, drummer Troy Harkins, bass player Josh Fleeger, and guitarist Larry Marciano is a summit of equals. the challenge for all is to not be left behind.
“You guys outta do a LIVE record.”
Over the past 6 years I’ve heard that from many people. They come to the shows. They buy the studio records. But they want to try and take the live experience home with them, in a way that studio albums just don’t deliver. So, here it is. Live in Bakersfield.
We’ve always loved playing in Bakersfield. It’s the point of origin for so much of the music I love. But more importantly, it is a town that loves going out and hearing live bands. Some towns are just like that. About 3pm emails and IM’s starting flying around, “Who are we going to see tonight?” Live honky tonk music is a way of life – ingrained in the culture of these towns. Playing music in a town like Bakersfield, must be like playing baseball in Yankee Stadium. You feel honored just to walk on the field.
I hope you enjoy this show…March 10, 2007. I know we did.
– Grant
Album Track Listing
1. Baby, It’s Raining
2. Drunken Prince Charming
3. Him or Me
4. Divorce Number One
5. Koreatown
6. Burt Reynolds Movie Brawl
7. Broken Clocks
8. Working Man Blues
9. Prove Them Wrong
10. Ugly Women
11. Walk of Shame
12. Take the Devil Out of Me
13. Three Dollar Whore
14. Thank You Baby for Breaking My Heart
