Live From Amsterdam 1985

AMG Review of Live From Amsterdam 1985

Nathan Bush
All Music Guide

Though they had not recorded a convincing studio set in years, the Flying Burrito Brothers released a number of live albums from their popular European tours of the 1980s. While they were still clearly able to attract a crowd (listen to the audience at the start of this show), it inevitably seemed like a case of over-documentation in attempt to compensate for a distinct lack of original material. Featuring the latest incarnation of second generation Burritos led by original member "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow, the Amsterdam band is completed by drummer Jim Goodall, bassist Skip Battin, and guitarist Glen Harris. Predictably, the shadow of the late Gram Parsons looms large over the song selection, which is almost identical to that of its successor, Live in Europe. In addition to Parsons-penned vintage Burrito tracks ("Christine's Tune," "Wheels"), they cover both the Louvin Brothers' "Cash on the Barrelhead" and Harlan Howard's "Streets of Baltimore," songs Parsons recorded for Reprise in the early '70s. While it may have seemed wise to include some of the fresher material the band had been performing, the newer songs ultimately suffer by comparison. There are occasional flashes of excitement, however. Greg Harris delivers a fine vocal on "Star of the Show," and some impressive fiddle on "Take a City Bride" and "Burrito Jam," and there was still some spark left in "Sneaky" Pete's pedal steel lines. In the end, however, these moments do little to save a lackluster live set.