Customer Reviews

Live

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

"Kenny G Live" is the first and so far only live album released from the popular saxophonist. Recorded during his successful 1989 tour, "Live" displays Kenny G at his peak riding on the success of his then-previous two studio records, "Duotones" and "Silhouette". While those albums contained some fine music, the live versions displayed on this CD are an entirely different story. Kenny G and his five-piece band stretch the music out into extended improvisations and show off some great musical chops. Mr. G himself performs some excellent virtuoso sax work on "Songbird" and "Silhouette" (which features Kenny holding an A-natural on his soprano sax for nearly 30-seconds in the intro). Kenny's bandmates also show off their versatility especially in Vail Johnson's bass solo in "Midnight Motion" and Robert Damper's extended keyboard solo in "Songbird". Besides having its mellow moments, "Live" also includes some downright funky highlights including the aforementioned "Midnight Motion" as well as "I've Been Missin' You" and "Tribecca" which shows off Kenny's fine playing on the tenor sax as opposed to his usual soprano. Renowned pop singer Michael Bolton makes a guest appearance with a soulful rendition of "Don't Make Me Wait For Love" (originally sung by Lenny Williams on "Duotones") with his gutsy vocals giving the song a harder edge.
Apart from the live material, the album is bookended by two additional studio tracks. Both "Going Home" and "Uncle Al" are in the typical Kenny G ballad style with light melodies and soaring soprano sax work.
While Kenny G has been an assasination target for many critics, there is no denying that "Kenny G Live" contains some brilliant music. It's quite possible that this could be Kenny's finest album as it shows off the full scope of his dynamic sax playing full of lyrical melodicism and passion. His studio albums offer only a glimpse of what he is capable of while this live disc offers the big picture.
In the end, this is definitely a classic in the key of G.

This CD reveals a new side of Kenny G. We hear solos by other musicians, such as Vail Johnson's killer bass solo on Midnight Motion and Robert Damper's monster keyboard solo on Songbird. My favorite songs on this CD are Tribeca, Sade, and the gospel song Home, as well as Vail's solo on Midnight Motion. If you like this CD, get the DVD, which includes John Raymond's guitar solo in Tribeca and other cool live songs. The only thing I don't like is the inclusion of studio songs, such as Going Home and Uncle Al.

This Is Beautifully done
I highly recommend listening to it at bedtime
To those who don't like Kenny G if you don't like it then don't buy it, and don't whine it was your own stupidity for buying it why make Kenny G fans mad because of your stupidity

Kenny G performs some spirited versions of his songs on this CD. It is one of his better outings.

I am not a fan of Kenny G, but a friend had the CD on and Midnight Motion started playing. The first part of the song was quite typical of this sort of noise, but then the bass had his solo. Oh mama! One of the great bass solos I have heard. I usually listen to Rush, Zeppelin, and Floyd, so I can truely appreciate good playing. That is why I bought the CD (used) just for the solo. This is also why Midnight Motion gets 5 stars, and the CD 2 (1 for posterity, 1 for being live).

I have been a fan of Kenny G since 1986 and I will continue to be one until the day that I die. He is amazing in concert. An artist should not be judged solely on the music sold in stores. An artist should truly be judged in his performance. "Kenny G Live" is Kenny G live. If you love Kenny G buy this cd.

I have been inspired by his music for so long. I have all of his music. Kenny G keeps me going through the day. He is included in my everyday life. I listen to his music everyday. When I get married one day, I would like for him to play the Wedding Song that he produce.

From songs on his first album, to the greats on his forth which made him famous, this is simply the best album to start any Kenny G collection. From the note progression of Esther (track 8), to the spectactular sounds of Songbird (track 10) and Silhouette (track 3), these all make for a quite, romantic evening at home with that special someone.

I had that recording on a tape (yes, a tape !). It was given to me by my Saxophone teacher ... I listened to it, and listened to it, but then I switched to a CD player, and couldn't listen to it anymore (who listens to music with a walkman nowadays ???), so I looked and looked but I didn't know what was the name of the CD ... What a pleasure to finally find it ! It's beautiful !!!!!!!!! Especially "Silhouette" ... beautiful ! Enjoy, it's very relaxing !

I lost this CD from my collection and could not yet to order it again this is by far one of the greastest CD in my jazz collection I have seen him on tour and it is just amazing if you just want to chill out you can't go wrong with this one.