Various Artists - Smooth Grooves Live (2001)

From the Rhino label, 12 live versions of 11 sweet slow jams and one classic funk tune, complete with fake crowd noise and unrealistic fade-outs.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: 12 tracks clocking in at a remarkable 78:29.

1. Reasons - Earth, Wind & Fire. From the 1975 album Gratitude.
   The spectacular Don Myrick sax solo on this tune is the best thing on this compilation and second place isn't even close. Considering Philip Bailey's performance here, that's quite the bold statement.
2. Happy Feelin's - Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. From the 1986 album Live In Los Angeles.
   How is it that a group can hit the top 40 of the R&B chart 25 times but never crack the pop top 40? This is but one example of the band's smooth goodness; there's really no excuse for that sort of chart discrimination.
3. If I Ever Lose This Heaven - Average White Band. From the 1976 album Person To Person.
   Not a bad groove but the vocalist is having some real problems.
4. Me And Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul. From the 1974 album Live in Europe.
   I love this tune and while this live version doesn't stray too much from the familiar studio version, Paul brings the goods. So very laid back.
5. I'm Catching Hell (Living Here Alone) - Natalie Cole. From the 1978 album Natalie...Live!
   Once you get through a two-minute spoken intro, Cole and the band are doing their best with the material.
6. In The Rain - The Dramatics. From the 1988 album Live
   Again, not too far removed from the earlier studio version (complete with sound effects), but while listening I can "see" the choreography that surely accompanied every live performance. 
7. Tell Me Something Good - Rufus & Chaka Khan. From the 1983 album Stompin' at the Savoy – Live
   Such a great Stevie Wonder tune performed flawlessly. Chaka delivers plus I love the talk box.
8. Just To Be Close To You - Commodores. From the 1977 album Commodores Live!
   What sets this song apart from a typical Lionel Richie ballad is the spoken word part and that plays better live where Lionel had someone to talk to. Vocal harmonies are great and I love how they ratchet up the tension only to suddenly bring it back down and start all over again.
9. A Song For You - Donny Hathaway. From the 1980 album In Performance
   A wonderful, restrained rendition of this Leon Russell tune, just Hathaway and his piano.
10. Wildflower - The O'Jays. From the 1974 album Live In London.
    Don't get me wrong - the O'Jays are great - but I prefer the structure of the Skylark original.
11. Turn Off The Lights - Teddy Pendergrass. From the 1979 album Teddy Live!
    Classic bedroom ballad. Teddy tellin' his lady to "Turn 'em off!" In this live version, we get female audience members shouting those three words back at Teddy. Then he whips the audience into what was surely a panty-throwing frenzy when he says "I got what you want! Right here!" I would say 'game respects game' but my game ain't anywhere near that league. When this track ended, my speakers asked for a cigarette.
12. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye. From the 1974 album Marvin Gaye Live!
    Marvin and the band take this classic a bit too fast and, sadly, something gets lost in that translation.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, but I'm reminded of how big live releases were in the '60s, '70s and '80s ('90s if you want to include MTV Unplugged). They fulfilled a lot of contract obligations and provided a lot of label executives with year-end bonuses. They were also easy to make: no new material required and the shows are happening anyway. But if live albums are still around, I never hear of them. My guess would be that VHS→DVD→BluRay→streaming made them somewhat obsolete. Now how am I supposed to get my ya-ya's out?

Previously revisited for the blog:
A Sensual Collection, Volume 1 (1995)
A Sensual Collection, Volume 3 (1995)
A Sensual Collection, Volume 4 (1995)
A Sensual Collection, Volume 6 (1996)

Smooth Jazz, Vol. 1 (2000)
Smooth Jazz, Vol. 2 (2000)
Smooth Jazz, Vol. 3 (2000)