Live From Austin TX
Sir Douglas Quintet
New West Records
2006
DVD 17 songs
Don McLean was mistaken when he spoke of the day the music died. The music never died. True, for a while the Big Music establishment buried it in the commercial pop of Bobby Vees and Frankie Avalons, but the music couldn’t be held down for long. Out of Buddy Holly’s Texas, Detroit, across the United States and around the world, Rock & Roll came back better than ever. A powerful influence in that revitalization of the music that never died was the Sir Douglas Quintet. On this live concert, recorded some sixteen years after “She’s About a Mover” became their first big hit, this all-star band still rocks it out with the best of them.
Fronted by the indefatigable Doug Sahm and powered by the driving, and driven, organ riffs and accordion wizardry of Augie Meyers, this group may just rival a certain British band for the title of The Greatest Rock & Roll Band Ever. Certainly the Sir Douglas Quintet had a powerful influence on the sound of many contemporary and later bands. It doesn’t hurt that in this concert Sahm and Meyers are backed up by Speedy Sparks on bass, John Perez on Drums, Shawn Sahm (Doug’s son) on guitar, and the wonderful Alvin Crow on guitar and fiddle.
Although this is nominally Sahm’s band, it’s definitely not a one-man show. Originally formed as a union of two bands, one led by Doug Sahm and one led by Augie Meyers, this band has kept that sense that it’s less about top-down leadership than collaboration. It may be the Texas roots, but this Rock & Roll band comes across with the comfortable ambience of an old-time barn dance. When the Sir Douglas Quintet performs, everyone on stage gets an opportunity to shine. Besides Sahm, Meyers and Crow both have featured vocals, and each of the players is featured on several songs.
Recorded in 1981 for the half-hour Austin City Limits television show, this DVD features one full hour of great music. Packed with seventeen live tracks, it’s a treat to watch and a joy to hear. In fact, while this would make a great concert CD, having the visuals is a real bonus. This band has a collective charisma that draws you in and lets you feel like you’re actually there, watching the performance live in Austin.
The concert is bracketted by the band’s two biggest hits, beginning with “Mendocino” and ending with “She’s About a Mover.” The band does a rousing version of “96 Tears” [Actually a hit for ? and the Mysterions, a Michigan band whose members mostly came from Texas or Mexico and whose sound was also built around the classic Vox organ.] Other songs include “Groover’s Paradise” and other Sir Douglas Quintet hits as well as other songs recorded by Doug Sahm with various configurations of his band.
Although Doug Sahms’ stylish guitar rides through every song and although every musician in this set is superb, the hallmark of this group’s sound is the classic Vox Continental Organ, stretched to its limits by Augie Meyers. Meyers style has been credited with influencing numerous other keyboard players, including The Doors’ Ray Manzarek.
During this concert, Meyers also plays lively Cajun flavoured accordion and sings. “Going Down to Mexico” is a very Tex Mex sounding country song driven by a simple two-step rhythm and lots of ee-ha shouting by band members in the background. Watching him perform this song, it’s clear that Meyers is having a ball.
“Tonight, Tonight” features Alvin Crow on guitar and vocals, and what a rocker that is. It helps that Crow has his rockabilly image down pat. He’s on stage in a shiny satin red and white cowboy shirt straight out of 1957, with both sleeves removed. Crow’s vocal and guitar are extremely reminiscent of fellow Texan Buddy Holly at his best. Augie Meyers rocking Vox in the the background adds more than a touch of Chris Montez to the sound.
There’s even a bonus song in this concert, not listed on the cover or in the liner notes. The group performs its own version of Charlie Pride’s hit “(Is Anybody Going To) San Antone” featuring some bright fiddling by Crow. In the middle of the song, the band transitions smoothly into a full length version of Sahm’s roots rocker “Texas Tornado” and then transitions just as smoothly back to complete the rest of “San Antone.” It’s two great songs for the price of one.
You don’t have to watch. The music on this release works well played in the background while you do other things, just like playing a music CD. To sit and watch the show adds a whole other dimension. Either way, if you want to hear one of the best rock and roll bands of the last forty years, you have to own this DVD.
Go to Wikipedia for more information on the Sir Douglas Quintet. You can find information on Austin City Limits at pbs.org.
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thank you. for your information. this is a good dvd.