Search - Marvin Gaye :: Live at the London Palladium

Improving on a classic

rockland6674 | Massachusetts, USA | 08/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Much has been written about Gaye's stage fright: He was TERRIFIED of performing live on stage. Some of that nervousness is evident when he is talking to the audience between songs on this disc. When Gaye starts singing, though, all traces of fear disappear, and he is in his element. Gaye is at his best on this disc when he is performing his '70s hits: "Come Get To This," "Let's Get It On," "Trouble Man" and "Distant Lover." Gaye performs two medleys of his '60s hits and one consisting of songs from his "What's Going On" album. He turns in good performances on these medleys, although I wish he hadn't moved so quickly from one song to the next. My vote for best live rendition on this disc goes to "Let's Get It On." He has the crowd in the palm of his hand on this one, and at the end, with the band playing this song's groove at a low level behind him, he turns on the charm for a female audience member. I'd love to see a video of this! The CD concludes with the classic studio recording of "Got To Give It Up." Gaye wrote this song because he only had enough live material to fill three LP sides, and he didn't want to edit the material down to fit onto a single LP. What he gave us on side four was simply one of the best songs of the '70s.This remastered CD presents a more complete version of the concert. A number of tracks are significantly longer than they were on previous vinyl and CD releases. The CD booklet restores credits and photos that were dropped from the previous CD version, and adds some interesting liner notes on the making of this album. A photo viewable through the clear CD tray was originally slated to appear on the inner gatefold of the vinyl LP, before they went with an alternate design."

The Master at his peak.

Robert Johnson | Richmond, KY USA | 08/02/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Forget all of the many poor-quality live bootlegs and budget releases, this is the live album that features Marvin performing at his peak. The disc is at it's most amazing with Gaye's performances of his then-recent hits. Marvin's live renditions of "Since I Had You," "Trouble Man," "Come Get To Get To This," and especially his extended performance of "Let's Get It On" are absolutely phenomenal! The obligatory medley of `60s hits has been wisely revamped by rendering the usually chipper numbers in a slower, more melancholy style that gives the numbers a fresh spin.



I don't particularly like having the incomparable WHAT'S GOING ON songs crowded into one slightly rushed medley (these classics definitely deserve equal time), however the "Save The Children" finale does pack an unbeatable punch. The only real negative to the set is the horrendous "duets" medley, with the awful Florence Lyles butchering some truly great songs. PALLADIUM also contains the full-length 11 minute version of the hit "Got To Give It Up" (#1 Pop, #1 R&B), which is one of the greatest dance anthems to emerge from the disco area. The success of the single helped propel this disc all the way to #3 on the Hot 200, making it Marvin's second most commercially successful album behind LET'S GET IT ON..

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Still solid

Thomas Magnum | 09/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i listen to this record alot and it pours so much soul.the music goes from his 60's material and happy go lucky time to the 70's and his current frame of mind.his voice sounds powerful live.the arrangements are on point.how many of today's artist would you want to hear live? and i'm talking if they gave it to you for free.this is a must have.and the bonus is the long version of got to give it up.what a voice and the brother got soul."