The show starts off in fine form with a 8 minute jammed out version of "Dreadful Selfish Crime." The band starts it with a slow, slinky groove and appreciation from Robert Earl for "sticking around." Lyrically the songs versus reminisce about a life that doesn't sound too bad where the singer spends his time watching TV and strumming guitars, but the chorus tells us that this life is in fact a crime, as it wastes the most precious thing we have - time.

Not everything is so serious and preachy, there are plenty of silly goofy songs including "That Buckin' Song" and the "Five Pound Bass." Between those two Robert Earl lets out a bit of his customary bad humor by saying "in most countries around the world it is customary to follow a horse song with a song about a fish." That's probably not funny when you read it. Well, its not really funny when you hear it either, but it makes me smile at just how unfunny it is all the same. Throughout the show he slings similar bits of non-humor and it is all part of his charm.

As if to make up for the bad jokes, the band is crackerjack that easily move from Texas swing to dirty rock to slow country ballads. The sound is good too, the instruments come in clean and clear and Roberts vocals are great. There is enough audience noise to remind the listener that this is a concert recording yet they never distract or overwhelm.

The highlight of the concert is the three part epic "jazz odyssey" consisting of the "Road to no Return/Carolina," "New Life in Old Mexico," and "Still Without You/Conclusion: Road to no Return." It contains Robert Earls most ambitious writing to date and is something of a Wagnerian song cycle. Starting out slow and sad it moves into an upbeat rocker before returning to a forlorn ballad.

Robert Earl Keen will never be considered a Dylan or a Townes. He won't gain the popularity of genuine superstar, or be remembered by critics and fans for decades to come. Yet he's staked his claim as a solid songwriter and a high class performer who can both entertain and perhaps leave something lasting behind.

If this recording is any indication of things, here's hoping he's got many more years ahead of him.