This three-disc set documents an Anders Osborne show from November 17, 2006 at Tipitina’s that offers a little bit of everything Osborne fans expect to hear at his performances—good songs, a happy, easygoing vibe and lots of terrific jamming from top notch players including guitarists John Fohl and Hiro Mano and harmonica wizard Andy J. Forest, as well as band members Tim Green on saxophone and Kirk Joseph on sousaphone. The highlights include a wonderful version of Allen Toussaint’s “Life” with Fohl and Osborne interlacing funky knuckle guitar riffs and vocals, and those two going at it again on Osborne’s brilliant take on “Junko Partner.” Osborne favorites include “Ya Ya,” “Aim Way High,” “Stoned, Drunk and Naked” and one of the greatest New Orleans songs ever written, “Louisiana Rain.”

Osborne’s new tune, “Katrina,” is a heartfelt lament, but it is not quite up to the high level of much of his songwriting. The song is very direct and literal in its anger at the elements, but Osborne is too good with nuance and detail to rest on sheer anger as a motive. The song lacks emotional depth and soulfulness that characterize his best work, so there is no line in here that will haunt you. In fact, “Back On Dumaine,” with its great Forest harp solo and a quivering vocal from Osborne, and the gutwrenching “Boxes, Bills and Pain” (outstanding Osborne guitar solo on this one) somehow convey the angst of post-K life in New Orleans more effectively than “Katrina,” even though they were written before the hurricane.

The album is only available online at AndersOsborneLive.com, but it is far superior to the live album Osborne released some years ago, and it should solidify his reputation on the jam band circuit. One hopes another studio album showcasing more fully developed new material is not far behind.