Mason Jennings: Live at First Avenue

Julia Rickert on February 17, 2011

Stats and Brackets

Mason Jennings’ first live album, Live at First Avenue, is primarily a vehicle to showcase the singer/songwriter’s distinctive voice and personal songs. The album, which Jennings recorded in his hometown of Minneapolis at the club First Avenue during the last night of his 2009 Blood of Man tour, varies from fast paced, upbeat rompers to slow dancing ballads. Jennings also debuts three new songs in the middle of the set. “Born” starts off slow, building off of the lyrics and could definitely become a staple concert sing-along. “Grow Old with Me” is a folk-y, Dylan-ish, heartfelt plea to a sweetheart. The lyrics in “Lonely Computer Screen” are more playful than the other new songs but still present a soulful serenade. The album includes just enough crowd noise to remind listeners that it is live but not so much that it overpowers the acoustics. Jennings’ fans will love the song selection while those who aren’t as familiar with his canon will become fans before they’ve finished listening to the album.

Artist: Mason Jennings
Album: Live at First Avenue