Jason & The Scorchers - Midnight Roads And Stages Seen - 2CD (1998)

As Rudyard Kipling says, "He who rides the tiger finds it difficult to dismount," screams Jason Ringenberg as the band rips into "Self Sabotage," the first cut on a two-disc that captures this seminal band live in concert. Over the next 23 tracks, the Scorcher prove they're still on the beast's back, digging their spurs in its sides. Too country for punk, too punk for country, Jason & the Scorchers were stomping their dusty cowboy boots at a breakneck pace long before Uncle Tupelo discovered the Carter Family. With their brand of Rolling Stones meet Johnny Cash hard rock, the Scorchers kicked out the jams for most of the 80's to a largely indifferent audience. But anyone who happened to catch a live show was a fan for life. For this concert, Jason and band dig deep into the songbook, playing tunes they've never played live ("Somewhere Within"), tunes they haven't played in years ("Ocean of Doubt"--featuring BR5-49's Donnie Herron) and classic Scorcher cuts ("Gypsy," "Broken Whiskey Glass"). And best of all, a sizzling cover of Dylan's "Absolutely Sweet Marie." An essential document of a overlooked band. --Tod Nelson