This one may be tricky, because I don’t have a lot of data points to start with. Let’s give it a try anyway.
One of the albums I’ve been listening to a lot recently is Bruce Springsteen’s The Seeger Sessions. I was not intimately familiar with most of the songs on that album, so it was a nice brief education in some Americana. What really captured my interest, however, was the sound of the band. It sounded just like a bunch of guys that got together in someone’s living room and banged out a bunch of songs they all knew (which isn’t too far from the truth. It was, indeed, recorded in Springsteen’s living room. Except for the horns, who had to stand in the hall). They sound really loose, and like they probably recorded in one take. There’s something about it that just makes me turn it up and sing along.
The only other music I own that seems similar is Eric Clapton’s recording of San Francisco Bay Blues from the Unplugged album. The rest of the album is too mannered and precise, but that track sounds like they just decided to have some fun, and it’s (in my opinion) the best track on the album because of it. His studio version of Living on Tulsa Time comes pretty close to this. His album From the Cradle, which seems like it should fit the bill (recorded on old equipment, minimal takes, etc.), misses the mark for some reason. It doesn’t come off as spontaneous enough.
So - can anyone recommend some recordings that would appear to be in the same vein as the songs I’ve described? I suspect that there are a lot of live albums that would meet these criteria, but it’s not a requirement. I’m more interested in a free-wheeling sound, whether it come from a live performance or a studio recording. I’m thinking I’m probably looking in the blues/roots rock/country genres, but will certainly take other suggestions.
Like I said, not a lot of data points to work with, and I suspect that I haven’t explained myself suitably, but let’s give it a try. I’ll try to chime in based on any replies, so maybe we can refine the search a little.
