Lou Rawls - Live (1978) {original US double LP} (24-96 vinyl rip)

Riding high on the success of his mid-'70s soul and R&B dates, Philadelphia International issued this live recording featuring Rawls doing the straight blues, jazzy ballads, and pre-rock standards he normally reserved for clubs and concerts. There were none of the big radio hits here; instead, Rawls covered such songs as "Six Cold Feet of Ground," "Blues for a Four String Guitar," and "Everyday I Have the Blues." It also didn't stay on the charts very long, and Gamble and Huff got back to commercial basics the next time out. Still, it's one of his finest and most representative albums.

From gospel and early R&B to soul and jazz to blues and straight-up pop, Lou Rawls was a consummate master of African-American vocal music whose versatility helped him adapt to the changing musical times over and over again while always remaining unmistakably himself. Blessed with a four-octave vocal range, Rawls' smooth, classy elegance – sort of a cross between Sam Cooke and Nat King Cole – permeated nearly everything he sang, yet the fire of his early gospel days was never too far from the surface. He made his name as a crooner, first by singing jazz standards, then moving on to soul in the mid-'60s, and capped the most commercial phase of his career with a productive stint at Philadelphia International during the latter half of the '70s. Even after his days as a chart presence were over, Rawls remained a highly visible figure on the American cultural landscape, pursuing an acting and voice-over career in addition to his continued concert appearances, and doing extensive charity work on behalf of the United Negro College Fund.

ARTISTS

Lead vocalist - Lou Rawls
Bass – Kim Darigan
Drums – Steve Turner
Guitar – Dennis Kilman
Keyboards – Randy Waldman
Backing Vocals – Althea Rodgers, Cindy Jordan, Deborah Morris
Leader [Orchestra], Arranged By – Denny Gore
Strings, Horns – MFSB

TRACKLIST

A1 - Overture (You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine)
A2 - Groovy People
A3 - Stay Awhilhe With Me
A4 - Charge Card Blues Medley: Stormy Monday
A5 - In The Evening When The Sun Goes Down
A6 - Bye Bye Blackbird

B1 - Pure Imagination
B2 - Dead End Street
B3 - Tobacco Road
B4 - Love Is A Hurtin' Thing
B5 - A Natural Man
B6 - Lady Love

C1 - This Song Will Last Forever
C2 - Tribute Medley: Sir Duke
- Unforgettable
- Mona Lisa
- Lou's Rap
- Take The "A" Train
- Sophisticated Lady
- Dixieland Joe
- Mack The Knife
- Hello Dolly
C3 - This One's For You

D1 - See You When I Git There
D2 - We Understand Each Other
D3 - Early Morning Love
D4 - When You Say Budweiser, You've Said It All
D5 - Send In The Clowns
D6 - You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine
D7 - A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening

Recorded live at the Mark Hellinger Theater, New York, NY
Recorded By – Fanta Professional Services, John Rosen
Mixed at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA