Willy Porter - High Wire Live (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

Entrancing, Amazing

I. Greaves | Milwaukee, WI United States | 10/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here are a bunch of Willy Porter favorites captured (emphasis on that word specifically) expertly. I say captured because, as another reviewer aptly noted, this album is more of a freeze frame of Willy than anything else. Willy's magic comes when he's onstage, not in a studio.

I had the great opportunity to meet Willy when he came to play at my high school right where he grew up in Milwaukee, and one of the greatest things about Willy is how human he is. So many musicians these days lose touch with the general public once they experience even the slightest bit of success.

Not this guy. He is passionate as well as humble, virtuousic yet still grounded, and it shows in his playing. He deftly sings, plays and writes about things everyday people feel but just might not be able to express.

Best of all, this CD is a great opener to Willy Porter and his music in general. If you're wondering what a good first Willy Porter CD would be, I would immediately suggest this one. And for those longtimes fans out there who have probably seen Willy live at some point, buy it now, buy it now!"

Prepare to be blown away!

Kevin D. Allen | Chamblee, GA United States | 06/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't tell you how powerful this album is for me. If you've had a chance to hear Willy play live, then you have a full understanding of the impact he has when it's nothing but him and his guitar... an incredible duo that completely blew me away when I happened to catch him as an opening act for Angie Aparo. After the first minute or so of his opener, "Breath" I found myself wondering why I was going to bother staying for Angie Aparo.If you have heard Willy's earlier albums and found them lacking in production quality, this is a much more mature showing. Instead of trying to "produce" him, the effort seems to be bent on just trying to capture his essence. Willy is a live performer plain and simple. Rip him back out of the studio and give him an audience to play in front of and you find his magic and muse.I can't recommend this album highly enough. Paper Airplane, Unconditional, Breath, Tribes, You Stay Here and Angry Words all all constant favorites on my MP3 player. This CD hasn't left my CD player since I bought it."

Acoustic Excellence

Jay Parmenter | Austin, TX | 03/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In an age when most 'recording artists' fix all their mistakes with digital gadgetry in studio, how refreshing it is to listen to Willy Porter, laying it all out on the line, LIVE, just one impossibly talented human being with his acoustic guitar. Brilliant, insightful songwriting, sensitive yet powerful vocals, and guitar playing that will make your head spin. This is a fantastic CD. Don't miss the chance to see Willy in concert. Truly an amazing performer."

Perfection

John W McLellan | Los Angeles | 10/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Absolute perfection. I've had the privelege of seeing Willy perform live a few times (I was also present at Fitzgerald's in Chicago for the live recording of "Roadbone" for this CD), and this is his first CD that truly does him justice (although I am a fan over his other work as well). Terrific choice of songs, and the performance of each is simply marvelous. Willy is (of course) a phenomenal guitarist. Listening to the first few bars of "Tribe" affirms this; however, there is so much more depth to his persona than being a virtuoso on the guitar. His lyricism is at times profound, and often infused with a terrific sense of humor; he tackles subjects (ie. unconditional love, the majesty of true love, consumer-based religion, forgiveness, etc.) on this CD in a manner that aptly demonstrates his unique way of looking at the world. And then that voice of his...This is a wonderful, wonderful CD. Great songs, remarkable guitar playing, and a voice that can make the angels swoon. Lastly, I truly hope that people that think that John Mayer is the "be-all-end-all" guitarist/singer/songwriter will give this CD a chance. Maybe Willy can become a household name too. He deserves it more."

A Brand New Fan Who Is Blown Away By Willy!

James A. Landers | Northridge, Ca. | 01/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, I just saw Willy Porter open for Eric Johnson last night in Anaheim. I saw a guy get up onstage with an acoustic guitar, and since I didn't want to lose my spot near the stage, I figured I'd stay and watch. I don't usually watch the opening act. All I can say is THANK GOD I STAYED!! Willy Porter blew us all away with some of the most Phenominal Musicianship anyone there had ever seen. It's like the guy is Genetically Programmed to do what he does. Music just comes pouring out of the guy. And, he just may be the greatest acoustic guitar player you have ever seen. On top of that, he's very funny and a nice guy, too. I have no idea how I would catagorize his music, except to say that it is of Extremely High Caliber, and Extremely Inventive. I've run out of words, and I only just heard of Willy Porter yesterday. I haven't bought the CDs yet, but I'm going to when I finish writing this. I suggest you do the same, because Willy Porter is Phenominal."

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