Album Mini-review: The Mavericks — All Night Live: Volume 1
File next to: Los Lobos, Neil Young
Fans who heard “All Night Long,” the standout track from the Mavericks’ latest studio album (2015’s Mono) could be forgiven for wondering if the group could pull the song off live onstage. Full of bracing horn section fills and Latin-flavored percussion, the tune is a production extravaganza. The Mavericks, meanwhile, are nominally a four-piece. But as All Night Live amply illustrates, the group – aided and abetted onstage by “the Fantastic Four” (trumpet, sax and many other instruments) tears through “All Night Long” and other favorites from the group’s back catalog. The set’s focus is weighted toward songs from the band’s most recent incarnation (2013-present). A sonic document of the excitement of a live Mavericks concert, All Night Live is the first release on the the group’s own label, and, yes, the “Volume 1” title gives a pretty good hint as to the band’s future plans.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.