18 illinoisentertainer . com april 2023 with Florence Lyles standing in for Kim Weston . The song snippet breezes by , alongside four additional pop classics recorded with the late Tammi Terrell including the sweetly-sung " Ain ' t Nothing Like the Real Thing " and wrapping with the rapturous " Ain ' t No Mountain High Enough ." The album echoes the set list captured on 1977 ’ s Billboard # 3 album Live at the London Palladium , which was recorded a week earlier on the same tour . Unlike Live at the London Palladium ' s 2xLP presentation , Greatest Hits Live in ' 76 is presented on a single LP . This necessitates dropping a handful of songs that were performed at the show . " Trouble Man " is particularly missed , in addition to the omission of " God is Love " from the What ' s Going On medley . " Since I Had You " from the then-current album IWantYouis also absent from the vinyl LP , although it remains present on the CD . It also appeared on the 2007 DVD of this same performance . The concert concludes with an expressive full-song performance as Gaye wrings every bit of longing and pleading from Let ' s Get it On track " Distant Lover ."
Any Gaye fan might have preferred full and faithful versions of the hits that appear here in medley form , but this set is a compact reminder of Gaye ' s incomparable talents as a songwriter and performer . It ' s also a compelling companion for comparison with Live at the London Palladium .
6 – Jeff Elbel
6
VIOLENT FEMMES Violent Femmes RSD
Picture Disc LP ( Craft )
The self-titled debut album by Madison , Wisconsin band Violent Femmes is an acknowledged classic of the alternative rock era and a twisted folk-punk gem . Any single one of the tracks “ Blister in the Sun ,” “ Gone Daddy Gone ,” “ Kiss Off ” or “ Add it Up ” would likely still be worthy of fame today , performed by upstart acolytes and played on retrospective alternative radio formats . Stacking four such songs onto one album demonstrates the rare and unpolished talent represented by songwriter-singer-guitarist Gordon Gano and his band-founding rhythm section of bassist Brian Ritchie and percussionist Victor DeLorenzo when they were encountered while busking in their hometown by guitarist James Honeyman- Scott outside of a 1981 Pretenders concert . 40 years after their initial release , the songs still bristle with nervous energy , teen angst , sexual frustration , paranoia and rebellion . This anniversary reissue arrives for Record Store Day in its first pressing as a picture disc . Despite picture discs ’ less than stellar sonic reputation , the trio ’ s uncomplicated acoustic arrangements translate well . The noise floor is fairly audible during the twitchy breakdown to “ Blister in the Sun ,” but Ritchie ’ s acoustic bass fills still growl and bite while DeLorenzo ’ s brushed snare drum pops and cracks like a whip . Gano ’ s vocal and guitar on “ Kiss Off ” still verge from deadpan to the brink of a manic episode . “ I hope you know that this will go down on your permanent record ,” Gano sneers , mocking an oppressive authority figure . Ritchie ’ s bass leads the fray on “ Please Do Not Go .” The less traveled and bluesy “ Confessions ” is well-matched to album ’ s popular fare with over-the-top emotions and a sonic approach that strikes a balance between Modern Lovers and the Dream Syndicate . “ Gone Daddy Gone ” is memorable for the sparring match between Ritchie ’ s xylophone and DeLorenzo ’ s brushed percussion . The rhythm section adds upbeat harmony to “ Prove My Love .” Gano gives the album ’ s most memorable vocal performance during the unhinged punk blast of “ Add it Up .” Gano ’ s rudimentary electric guitar adds bite to Ritchie ’ s snapping notes during “ Promise ” and offkilter bass runs during the early Talking Heads-styled “ To the Kill ” ( wherein Gano describes dirty dealing to the south in Chicago ). The album closes with the gentle “ Good Feeling ,” begging for just another moment of peace . All of these arrangements likely stopped foot traffic on any Milwaukee street corner where they were debuted and refined . There are superior pressings to be found , but Violent Femmes was never fun because of its audiophile qualities . This is a treat for fans , and worth seeking at your local record shop on April 22 .
– Jeff Elbel
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DEPECHE MODE Memento Mori
( Columbia )
“ Does every song have to be about death ?” So said the late Andy Fletcher to his bandmates , as told to NME via Dave Gahan . With the passing of “ Fletch ” last fall , there would be no need to change the subject . Memento Mori ( Latin for " remember that you [ have to ] die ") deals with the aftermath of Fletcher ' s death , though many of the album ' s basic tracks were written before his passing . The duo contemplated blowing up the band , but they held on as a duo . Gore and Gahan have defied a late-career songwriting implosion . At age 60 , they ’ re producing music like their heyday . There have been some stumbles along the journey , but Momento Mori was assisted by Gahan ' s late
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