Live From The Skipping Stone Tour — Broken Tables Review
This review comes from a long time reviewer of Alexz’s albums Charles Ryder. He owned a site called “The Ryder” as you’ll see in his past reviews if you search for them. He has a new site called “Broken Tables” where he reviews Alexz’s new live album:
If there is something I had not expected at all from Canadian singer/songwriter Alexz Johnson, was the release of a live album compiling her best performances from her Kickstarter-campaign funded Skipping Stone Tour, but when I received the news on her plans, I was anxious to put my hands on it, especially because I knew she would deliver something raw, powerful and full of quality and I was no wrong. Johnson shines throughout the whole album with her terrific vocals, splendid charisma, and a full commitment toward what she does the best and loves the most: music.
The album is composed by the six tracks from the Skipping Stone EP, as well as five tracks from her Epic Records masterpiece Weight and one extra song from her independent release Voodoo. Each one of the tracks acquires different perspectives when played live and develops into a world of its own; also, some tracks that might have not sparked that much magic in their studio versions become highlights in this album, as it happens with Thief. Back of the Room and Chicago stand out along with Skipping Stone as the best tracks thanks to the energy put on their respective performances. Saving the Train and Give Me Fire help to showcase Alexz’s vocal flexibility, a task that Walking reassures thanks to its almost a cappella performance. Nevertheless, there are also some tracks that lose their power mainly because of the musical decisions taken for Alexz Live 1performing them. This is the case of Weight jewels Running with the Devil, performed with an acoustic kind of twist that diminishes the song’s musical potential, and Shout, the latter featuring Misty Boyce, in which, though it becomes more of a rock/pop track, the combination of Alexz and Misty’s voice does not match that well, ironically, because both of them have great and powerful vocals, causing the effect of some of the verses to be practically lost. Still the track is compensated greatly at the end. Weight and Voodoo are perfect in their respective roles as opening and closing tracks: the first one demonstrates since the very first minute why Miss Johnson’s voice deserves a lot more of attention than it actually has; and the second one gives a true insight to where Alexz’s musical abilities truly lie.
Though many fans will feel the lack of her indie and exotic nature present on some other Voodoo tracks she has performed live before, like L.A. Made Me, Gonna Get It and Superstition, the albums works perfectly to showcase Alexz Johnson’s vocal abilities in front of an audience for the first time. The Weight tracks truly play an important part in it and they kind of establish a strong opposition to those released on the EP, which favour a much more intimidate delivery. I was personally pleased to discover she decided to promote the EP in full, singing each of its songs and establishing a powerful and emotional connection with her fans. It is definitely a worth-buying collection of tunes and if you happen to know someone who does not know what to listen on the radio anymore, the Live from the Skipping Stone Tour album is a great choice and surprise for any musically hungry ear.
Here is a taste of what Alexz Johnson can do in her Skipping Stone (Official Live Video) and feel free to leave any comment for further discussion! What were your opinions on the album?
