Sara K. & Chris Jones - Live in Concert (Are We There Yet ?) (2022) [Hi-Res]

A must-have, not only for folks that experienced this incredible show: In order to properly document the Nautilus-Tour in May/June 2002, Günter Pauler took along his "portable" studio digital multi-track technology of the highest order, with which he recorded all 25 concerts. After listening to the tapes, the decision was unanimous the concert in Erlangen's City Hall on June 15th, 2002 topped them all. The performance, atmosphere and sheer energy that Sara and Chris presented here was simply overwhelming.

"Lets be honest, live albums are often bland, the songs faded versions of opulent studio-productions. This one is different. The songwriter from Texas and her sideman grow together during the concert into groove-monsters. Her 4-string guitar and his steel-string/dobro drive songs like 'All Your Love (Turned to Passion)' irresistibly onward and Sara growls, squeaks and squeals with a truly high-end sound. Huge." (RTL)

"An American guitarist and singer-songwriter, Sara K. cut a half-dozen records for Chesky before pairing up with Stockfisch, where seven albums ensued. Her pairing with Chris Jones made perfect sense: both share a raw and gutsy side, and this album pairs a soulful performance with vibrant sound. Gunter Pauler recorded 25 concerts during the Sara K./Chris Jones 2002 tour, and the June 15, 2002 performance in Erlangen, Germany was apparently the show where all the pistons were firing. There are no overdubs on Live in Concert, and it truly has a "live" feel." (Jeff Wilson, The Absolute Sound)

Sara K., not a suspect from a newspaper article but an American singer-songwriter. I didn't know her before I got this album, well, I don't know everybody in the music world of course. I did hear the name of virtuoso guitarist Chris Jones, rustling through the circuit of musicians and connoisseurs. -This was before he passed away too early.- The man came from Reno of all places, a mini-Las Vegas where everybody and nobody plays covers in casino lounges and he sounded like some Ry Cooder... He heard Sara K. in a German studio (he lived for 26 years in Germany) and he insisted on working with her. Label boss Gunter Pauler had the same idea at the same moment, wonderful when it comes together like that.

This album contains a concert, more than 71 minutes long, from a sponsored German tour in the Spring of 2002. Sponsored by a loudspeaker company! How did this happen? Between all recordings the results of the show in Erlangen were most convincing, overdubs not even necessary. Sara herself played a four-string (!) acoustic guitar, while Chris did his terrific thing on six strings, he also had a beauty of a dobro handy. With what words do I describe Sara's voice best? An alto with rich sound palette and wide vocal range, a very particular vocal. She makes us think for a moment of Lucinda Williams, in relaxed "Anymore" for instance, but the emotional outbursts go more into the direction of Janis Joplin. Sara sings a lot of bluesy pieces but I also hear influences from jazz and folk, the improvised solos are definitely spellbinding. Professional release, also a feast for the eyes with the painting in warm colors that even returns on the disc itself and the appealing musicians-in-action photographs. Guess what cover they chose for the encore? Don McLean's "Vincent" and now we hear again how beautiful that song actually is.

Sara K., vocals, Pimentel 4-string guitar
Chris Jones, guitar, manzanita, dobro