Steve Goodman

Steve Goodman’s status as a singer-songwriter has transitioned to mythical proportions based on the fact that his adoring public includes an ever-impressive roster of the world’s greatest singer-songwriters and performers, many of whom pay "Cool Hand Leuk” (a nickname coined by Prine prior to Goodman’s death from leukaemia in ’84) regular tribute in a variety of ways. Larger Than Life represents one of these feel-good tributes — an assembly in Chicago’s Medinah Temple from ’97 with a line-up including Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Iris Dement, Arlo Guthrie, Todd Snider and best pal John Prine. Each artist cherry picks a favourite Goodman pearl, adding their own sizably distinctive touches to his genius. Highlights include the classic introductions and remembrances by author/sportscaster Studs Turkel, plus Prine’s tear-inducing take on "My Old Man.” How the room keeps from breaking down and having a group cry is beyond me. What this too-short 60-minute outing lacks in length is more than compensated for by its many magical moments.