Steve Forbert Revisits "Jackrabbit Slim" On Impressive New "Live at Ashbury Park" Recording - Review

American Songwriter recently reviewed Steve Forbert's new live recording Jackrabbit Slim Live In Asbury Park as a "memorable, energetic recreation of the record that cemented the folk singer’s ‘small-town guy arrives in the big city’ reputation as an observant, philosophical wordsmith." The new record, released today via Blue Rose in association with Time Life, celebrates the 40^th anniversary of Forbert’s sophomore outing, which contained the instantly memorable Top 20 hit, “Romeo’s Tune” and “January 23-30, 1978,” with its existential line, “It’s often said that life is strange, oh yes, but compared to what?” The performance and rearview mirror perspective give Forbert’s heartfelt and topical lyrics, including additional verses to “Complications” and the bonus track “The Oil Song,” a renewed urgency. “To me, the challenge of songwriting is to create something that will stand the test of time,” says Forbert. “The Jackrabbit Slim LP is hanging in there pretty well. After 40 years, people tell me the songs on this record still have an emotional resonance for them – one that’s not just a nostalgia thing.” This new live performance recording features Forbert's band the New Renditions and was recorded at the House of Independents in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Though the winter weather was gloomy, it didn’t damper the spirits of the audience, the band, or the instruments. Jackrabbit Slim Live In Asbury Park is available to download here.