Austin City Limits Music Festival: Live from Austin, Texas 2004

It's all about the music on this two-disc compilation from the 2004 live festival—inspired by the long-running public-television-aired musical showcase Austin City Limits—featuring 24 performers with as many songs, minimal stage banter, no interviews, no backstage stuff, and virtually no extras. One is left with two principal impressions from the performances culled from the three-day event: a) it was very hot, and b) the artists mostly lived up to the TV show's reputation for musical diversity. True, there's a lot of alternative and indie rock, especially on the first disc, where bands like Franz Ferdinand (overrated, to these ears), Sloan, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, and the Old 97's hold forth; but you'll also find the Blind Boys of Alabama doing their soulful gospel thing, Rosanne Cash reprising her country hit "Seven Year Ache," and Sheryl Crow's sunny "Light in Your Eyes." The more intriguing second disc includes the ever-funky Neville Brothers, a driving instrumental by former Phisherman Trey Anastasio, the reunited Pixies, Calexico's fine version of the Love classic "Alone Again Or," the Norah-Jones-with-grit Rachael Yamagata, and some other cool stuff. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo, this is recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)