Martina McBride: Live In Concert

iTunes Review

It's not easy to capture the essence of a live concert on tape. Acoustic guitars often sound thin and toneless, vocals can come off more flat or sharp than expected, bass guitars usually sound wonky, and poorly recorded drums can ruin everything. But none of these problems exist on Martina McBride's Live In Concert. The four-time CMA Top Female Vocalist Award winner opens with the jubilant fan favorite "Happy Girl," letting her audience chime in on the song's bridge before singing soaring notes into the night air. And the choruses on "Concrete Angel" sound gorgeous with McBride's soulful inflections floating over all the instruments. "Whatever You Say" from 1997's Evolution comes out as fresh as any of her current hits, especially at the end where her fans carry the chorus like that live version of Tom Petty's "Breakdown" that all the classic rock stations won't stop playing. Speaking of classic rock, McBride closes with a punchy cover of Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." Live In Concert leaves you both satiated and wanting more, like a good home cooked meal.