Anderson surveyed 20 years of recorded material in these concerts from September 12-20, 2001, at New York’s Town Hall. The New York Times observed, “She sang about lovers quarrels, angels, wanderlust, and New York ... [W]hat once seemed off-handed or oblique had turned chillingly prophetic.”
“She sang about lover’s quarrels, angels, wanderlust, and New York … The songs didn’t promise solace, only clear observations and new questions ... [W]hat once seemed off-handed or oblique had turned chillingly prophetic.” —New York Times
The performances on Laurie Anderson's 2002 two-CD live recording, Live in New York, were recorded in New York City at Town Hall on September 19 and 20, 2001, just a week after the September 11 attacks on the city. The dates were part of an intimate US tour by Anderson in support of her critically acclaimed Nonesuch debut, Life on a String; it was her first tour with a band.
The two-disc set features ten songs from Life on a String as well as new arrangements of such vintage Anderson works as “Let X=X,” “Strange Angels,” and “O Superman.” Anderson, who performs on violin, keyboards, and effects, was joined on stage by Skúli Sverrisson (bass), Peter Scherer (keyboards), and Jim Black (drums).
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Laurie Anderson
Musical Director: Skuli Sverrisson
Recorded September 19-20, 2001 at Town Hall, New York City, by Jody Elff and Adam Blackburn (Effanel Music)
Assistant Engineer: Brandon Karp (Effanel Music)
Mixed by Jody Elff
Mastered by Robert C. Ludwig at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, ME
Production Manager: Bill Berger
MIDI and keyboard tech: Rick Van Benschotten
All songs written by Laurie Anderson and published by Difficult Music (BMI), except: “My Compensation,” lyrics by Laurie Anderson and music by Laurie Anderson/Skúli Sverrisson, published by Difficult Music (BMI); “Poison” and “Puppet Motel,” written by Laurie Anderson/Brian Eno and published by Difficult Music (BMI)/Upala Music (BMI).
Design by John Gall
Executive Producer: David Bither
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MUSICIANS
Laurie Anderson, vocals, violin, keyboards
Skúli Sverrisson, bass, concertina
Jim Black, drums, electronic percussion
Peter Scherer, keyboards, samplers