Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One Of A Kind, July 25, 2001
Sylvester, as has been said many times, transcended categories of music and contributed so much to music. He seemed many times to be a reluctant enlistee in the disco ranks, and he pushed in his first 6 albums (except for "Stars") to include soul, rock, gospel, and show-type tunes. He could master all of these genres, although he was most loved for his dance music. Following the absolutely stunning third album "Stars" (where he uncharacteristically went all dance, to incredible results), he released this album of three live sides and a studio side. He showed that disco was not necessarily just a product of the studio, and could be gorgeously performed in a live setting. No lip-synching, no backing tracks. As always, he gave wide berth to his impressive backup singers, and the songs were often more instrumental than vocal. His charisma shines through on this recording, his larger than life persona apparent. The one gripe I have with this CD version is its omission of the studio track "In My Fantasy," one of the two best songs Sylvester ever recorded and one of the 10 best dance songs of the 70's.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The only officially released concert album, August 31, 1998
By A Customer
This is music history, an experience that can never be repeated. The only officially released concert album, from 1979, and it shows a musical genius at the peak of his form. Although Sylvester tends to be marginalized today as purely a disco singer, this album helps dispel the myths with a cross-section of gospel, soul, and the purest rhythm and blues to ever hit the stage. Absolutely a first-rate concert album, catching the warmth and incredible rapport between Sylvester and his audience.The album is like a highlight reel. The extended concert versions of "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" and "Dance (Disco Heat)" are tremendous, showing wit and a highly developed theatrical sense, as Sylvester shares the spotlight with an incredible cast of musicians, including backing singers Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes (later the Two Tons o' Fun / Weathergirls), famed 1970s synthesizer master Patrick Cowley, guitarist James 'Tip' Wirrick, pianist Eric Robinson, and backing vocalist Jeanie Tracy. These original songs are matched and topped by the cover versions and re-makes from the rest of the concert. Sylvester turns songs from artists as diverse as the Beatles ("Blackbird"), Billie Holiday, a relation of his ("Lover Man"), and Thelma Houston ("Sharing Something Perfect Between Ourselves") into his own, with his blazing, soulful falsetto vocals. Other highlights from the album include a gorgeous duet with Martha Wash, the medley "Could It Be Magic / A Song for You," and the soaring vocal brilliance of "You Are My Friend." The musical value of the concert is matched by the historical value. Patrick Cowley would be dead from AIDS within three years, Sylvester would follow in 1988. In addition, the album captures Wash, Rhodes, and Tracy right before they would all go on to solo careers. This album also marks the crossroads between Sylvester's pure disco albums ('Sylvester,' 'Step II,' 'Stars') and his more soul/pop later albums (notably 'Sell My Soul' (1980) and 'Mutual Attraction' (1986)). After listening to this album, it is easy to play 'what-might-have-been?' Sylvester was still recording stunning music, this time on the major Warner Brothers label, up until falling too sick to go on in 1987/88. It is easy to see what heights he could have attained from listening to 'Living Proof.' In the closing minutes of the concert, the entire audience is chanting and humming along to the strains of "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)." Sylvester leads them along, dividing the audience in sections, having each section sing a chorus, bringing in the background singers for solos. The only regret is that the concert, the album, and the career did not go longer.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Piece of Live Work!, September 6, 2002
I just recently discovered Sylvester's music, and I regret that I missed out on it when he was still around. "Living Proof" is the first Sylvester CD I sampled, and it absolutely floored me. I love a good live album, but I'm picky. Speaking strictly as a music fanboy as opposed to a musician: there are a few live CDs that I think are absolutely phenomenal, a handful that are really good, and plenty of stinkers. This is definitely on my top five phenomenal list! If Sylvester's other performances were even half as good as this 1979 show, I envy the lucky folks who had the opportunity to catch his live shows. What struck me even before listening to the CD was reading the playlist and finding a medley combining my favorite Leon Russell tune with Barry Manilow's "Could This Be Magic?" Impatience got the best of me and I spun this tune first. The whole CD is awesome, but this is the piece that gives me goosebumps. This cat had a beautiful voice, and his flawless high pitch gives this medley sheer emotional punch. Trust me, this tune alone is an audio treat that you owe yourself.
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