Live Songs & Stories
On stage, via songs and stories, David Wilcox is on a mission: to  uplift, inspire, and cajole to laughter. This largely solo acoustic live  set--Jake Armerding adds a bit of fiddle and mandolin--more than accomplishes  that goal. Still, the material, as well as the between-song banter, often comes  off with the vague, hopeful spirituality of a motivational speaker. The  principal flaw lies in the selections: Wilcox's tougher, smartly detailed work  is forsaken for message songs about roads not taken, rusty American dreams, and  "kindness that clears my skies." Some of the well-rehearsed stories are  genuinely funny, but Wilcox rarely challenges his audience to think or feel  beyond New Age platitudes. Fans will delight in reliving his intimate live  shows, but newcomers would be better served by wider-ranging, less preachy  efforts likeEast Asheville  HardwareorWhat You  Whispered.--Roy Kasten