New York Town: Recorded Live at the Lone Star Cafe is the first live album by American country music artist Johnny Paycheck. The album was released in September 1980 via Epic Records. It was produced by Billy Sherrill. It was recorded at the Lone Star Cafe in New York City.
Critical reception Eugene Chadbourne of AllMusic called it "one of the best" live country records, commending the precision of the band and the organic flow of the setlist. Brown Burnett of The Clarion-Ledger lauded the album's restraint in production, noting it was "refreshingly tapered" compared to the overdub-heavy norm of country records. Bill Robertson of The StarPhoenix emphasized how the small club setting benefited the album's sound, highlighting the West Texas Music Company's professionalism and the minimal crowd interference.
Dan Smith of The Roanoke Times said that Paycheck's praise of New York in the title track signaled a new kind of unity in American music and audience reach. However, he also acknowledged that the rest of the album largely consisted of familiar material, and noted that Paycheck often seemed out of place in the city, even as he won over the crowd.
Track listing
Personnel Johnny Paycheck – vocals Barry Walsh – piano Michael McBride – bass Johnnie M. Barber – drums P. T. Gazell – harmonica Jim Murphy – pedal steel guitar, dobro, saxophone Barry Chance – guitar
Charts + Weekly chart performance for New York Town Chart (1980) Peakposition US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 48
References