Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
When Canadian musician Jeff Healey passed on, the world of blues/rock seemed to take a turn towards the bleak and dull. There was something about the man and his music that could make anyone smile and relish the notes that he played on his guitar, not only was an inspiration to many, overcoming his disability in such a way that was both admirable and succinctly praise worthy but also in the way that he carried himself in front of those that came to watch him perform.
Nowhere was he as lauded outside of his own country as he was in Germany and now finally some of the concerts that he played there between 1989 and 2000 have been lovingly restored and given the treatment that Jeff’s music and his fans deserve in Jeff Healey: As the Years Go By, Live in Germany 1989-1995-2000. In what amounts to a serious piece of packaging, the producers of the live triple C.D. have pulled out all the stops and spared no quarter in releasing what amounts a definitive collection but given the live treatment in which Jeff excelled.
Spread over the course of 11 years, Jeff and his band take the German audiences through their paces and the result is one that, unless you were very fortunate to catch him during his all too brief career, will leave you breathless and full of appreciation for the blind blues troubadour.
The three C.D.s encompass three distinctive periods of Jeff’s great period, the young musician from 1989 whose early work was finally bearing distinguished fruit and whose songs on the first disc include My Little Girl, a cracking version of When the Night Comes Falling From the Sky, a sensational cover of The Doors’ Roadhouse Blues and the beautiful See The Light. The second and third C.D.s sees the man return to Germany and give as powerful performances as anybody performing at the time, and there is an especially wonderful moment where he covers the George Harrison written and The Beatles song While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
As if three C.D.s chock full of exhilarating blues wasn’t enough, there are a couple of bonus D.V.D.s that make up the entire package, each of which captures Jeff Healey at his absolute prime, a genuine and unique collector’s item which shows the extent of one of Canada’s finest musicians in all his pomp and unhindered brilliance.
Jeff Healey: As the Years Go By, Live in Germany 1989-1995-2000 is a must have for any fan of live music but also is an excellent introduction to one of the most unique musicians to ever pick up a guitar.
Ian D. Hall