SHININ' LIVE! " It doesn't get much more alive than this" - The announcer was spot on! Only having been there in person could be better than this blistering dvd/cd package by STACIE COLLINS & her band THE AL-MIGHTY 3 taken from their soulful appearance in October 2012 at the legendary Bootlegger's Bar in Kendal, England. This powerful woman from Nashville, TN has released three studio albums but Stacie Collins on record and Stacie Collins live are two very different animals. The extensive presentation on SHININ' LIVE! shows clearly what a powerful, intense musician and entertainer she is, with deep roots in American roots & blues rock.

In 2012 alone, Collins and her band crossed the Atlantic four times to play more than 80 shows in eleven different countries. And by Fall the time had finally come; Two shows in one of her favorite venues, the venerable Bootlegger's Bar were filmed and recorded and are now available in the great DVD/CD package that is "SHININ' LIVE!". It's the first live release of this passionate and authentic performer. Stacie Collins and The Al-Mighty Three are pulling out all of the stops and then some. That's how we come to witnesses to this extraordinary, loud, bad-ass live show that captivates and moves the audience in a major way. To quote the album sticker: This is is first-rate "Southern-Rockin', Harp-Howlin', Twang-Bangin' Rock'n'Roll".

On the CD's and DVD's 15 tracks Stacie Collins sings, growls and howls for 80 minutes like a woman possessed, works her blues harp harder than many crack players and leaves the Al-Mighty Three plenty of room to shine. Husband Al Collins is an extroverted, always moving bassist, often joining in on vocals and sometimes using his instrument as a rhythm guitar. He and young drummer Brad Cummings make for a great team in the engine room, keeping the motor running. Guitarist Jason Graumlich contributes his considerable skills on lead, slide and rhythm guitar, rounding out the band perfectly. Together they play mostly original Collins/Collins compositions including the previously unreleased "Get In Line" as well as material from her last two albums plus a few choice covers.

The show opens with the cracking "Baby Sister" and a revamped version of Wille Dixon's "I Don't Care Who Knows". Next is a rollicking version of "Ramblin" into "I Won't Do You Like That" which is undecided whether it wants to sound more like the Stones, the Faces or the Black Crowes. Quickly moving on, the show blasts into the electrifying "Hey Mister" and the slow blues of "Get In Line" which Stacie presents as a seductive blues vamp. "If You Wanna Get To Heaven", an Ozark Mountain Daredevils cult classic from the 70s, is sung with a lot of heart by Al Collins and finds the band jamming for more than six minutes. "Carry My Away" is clearly country-influenced as is the hymn-like "It Hurts To Breathe" on which Jason Graumlich shines on guitar. He also picks a mean twang guitar and acts as Stacie's duet partner on the Gram & Emmylou number "Ooh Las Vegas". "Don't Doubt Me Now" is a mean straight & dirty rocker with British cult guitarist Paul Guerin (Quireboys / Bap Kennedy) guesting. Jimmy Reed's version of "I Ain't Got You" is quite tame compared to this cover and provides the backdrop for one of Stacie Collins' legendary harp-playing, 5-minute-long dancing walks through the audience, atop the bar and back to the stage. Needless to say, it's a spectacle to behold! In closing the boogie stomp of "Show Your Mama" segues into a 9-plus-minute-jam ending up in The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash". On the CD you'll get one more song for a spectacular finish, AC/DC's "It's A Long Way To The Top" (but you'll be missing "Ooh Las Vegas" which is exclusive on the DVD).