Cover art by SG Inc.
It will surprise no one that I was excited when I heard about this album. As mentioned in my prior review of an early track from it, I unfortunately did not have the chance to attend the show where this was recorded. She is a favorite artist of mine for several reasons including her thoughtful (and at times raw) lyrics, unique voice and bluesy style. She also tends to surround herself with very talented musicians that take her compositions, add their own instrumental voice and really bring them to life in some varied and at times unexpected ways.
Overall Review:
This album is a really great example of the awesomeness of live music and the many small moments in a performance that make it interesting. Whether it is hearing Knipp give some background for the songs (often with a bit of sarcastic wit), being drawn into one of the several jam session moments, hearing her band’s interpretation of the three originals they chose to cover or just being happy in the glow of some powerful live music – it all works very well here. The musicians deliver such solid performances and bring special moments to many of the tracks and Knipp’s vocals, as usual, add some real character along the way. It is a nice value also delivering over seventy-five minutes of great music.
Song Impressions & Notes:
“Santa Cruz Blues” – a long time fav of mine and which I already reviewed here. Totally amazing!
“I Don’t Sing For You” – quick keys intro before Knipp’s voice comes in, one of the strongest vocal performances on the album – a nice, groovy rhythm section fills in the background well.
“Bullet Train” – very cool atmospheric opening, this is one of those songs that unwinds slowly as a hypnotic rhythm section stretches out behind a wandering vocal track.
“If I Was The Devil” (Justin Townes Earle cover) – I really like how they take the rhythm of Earle’s original (which you can check if you are so inclined on his 2017 Kids In the Street album) and put it up front. It gives an added layer of spookiness which I liked.
“Dirty Cables” – this track has such an easy-going, breezy vibe that it kind of fools you because Knipp’s vocal is quite stark as it delivers a heartfelt story about loss.
“The Devil’s Armchair” – The composition of this one threw me when I first heard it on 2024’s Me as it is a bit out of the box, but it has grown on my quite a bit since then. Great range of vocal treatments on this live take also.
“Outlaw Doc” – prior album version reviewed here – it is a solid and fun rocker. This is a song I really would have liked to catch live and it shines brightly on this set including some fantastic guitar sounds.
“John the Revelator” (Blind Willie Johnson cover) – first of all, please take a chance to find a version of Johnson’s original as his voice is a perfect, gravelly thing set against a very simple guitar accompaniment – quite a piece of history. Son House also does a nice a cappella version. Knipp and company’s take on this is solid and develops into a six-minute jam featuring cool solo moments from each band member.
“Get Outta My Dream” – this is a fast moving, toe-tapper that entertains all the way through – the guitar and keys play nicely together as the music rolls along.
“Sad Eyed Lover” – Very groovy start on bass and drums with a sweet electric guitar peeking through – Knipp’s voice rings out with some sassy swagger.
“State Trooper” (Bruce Springsteen cover) – this is a boisterous take on the song from Nebraska – the vocal retains some of the stark hollowness of the Boss’ version but the arrangement is loud. It takes the tension that was wound up tight in the original and releases it full bore.
“Chamomile and Cocaine” – not exactly composed in the same manner but this number has always sounded like a perfect lounge / night-club singer piece to me and it strikes me even more so live. A fun one to listen to!
“Gone to Town” – Knipp leads this off by mentioning “here’s an oldie”…and I wish I could say I knew it but the title was already unfamiliar and the music did not save me…it was new to me! A few listens later I was a fan – intertwined keys and rhythm swinging along and a cool guitar solo.
“Stillness” – A very direct and powerful song with a strong anti-hate message – I will leave it to you to absorb.
“Mud” – A slower vibe here on the last track which might not be everyone’s preference but it really is a nice one to experience if you take the time to listen closely. For me it displays all of the talents of the band especially given that they hold it all together so well at a fairly slow rhythm…which is not easy an easy thing to do in my experience.
Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list:
Musicians on this are: Neil Campisano (drums), Pancho Tomaseli (bass), Chris Martinez (lead guitar), Steve Utstein (Hammond B3, Wurlitzer) and Katie Knipp (vocals, piano, guitar, harmonica)
Purchase here:
https://katieknipp.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-theater-5150
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Interested in more info on this Artist?
Playlist links
https://bandcamp.com/jackmesenbourg/playlist/11292025
Prior review links
Just a few ideas if you have the time: purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂
