I have to admit that over the years live recordings have often disappointed me. The inevitable reduction in sound quality coupled with what could best be described as superfluous applause served to drastically reduce my listening pleasure so it is particularly pleasing to report on a brand new live album that in every respect is out of this world. ‘Randy Crawford & Joe Sample Live’ was recorded at various concert venues throughout Europe over the period October – December 2008. It finds Crawford and Sample in the sublime company of the incomparable Steve Gadd on drums and Joe’s son, Nicklas Sample on upright bass for an examination of some of their biggest hits that here in a live setting prove to be totally timeless.
In fact Randy Crawford and Joe Sample have been making music together in one form or another for almost thirty-six years. From their first hit in 1979, ‘Street Life’, (which Randy recorded with Joe and the Crusaders) and on through classics including ‘Last Night At Danceland’ to some of their most recent collaborations such as the Grammy nominated CDs ‘Feeling Good’ and ‘No Regrets’, Crawford and Sample have demonstrated an almost telepathic understanding. It is this chemistry that sets ‘Randy Crawford & Joe Sample Live’ apart and as they effortlessly glide through eleven of their most familiar numbers (including immaculate renditions of the aforementioned ‘Street Life’, ‘Last Night At Danceland’ and the title tunes from both ‘Feeling Good’ and ‘No Regrets’) the magic of their music is there for all to see.
The CD opens with an appropriately heartfelt version of ‘Every Day I Have The Blues’ and when the spotlight turns to the seminal ‘One Day I’ll Fly Away’ Crawford makes it sound every bit as good as when the song was recorded thirty-two years ago. Much the same can be said of her spine tingling performance with Billie Holiday’s ‘Tell Me More And More And Then Some’ and although the whimsical ‘Me Myself And I’ gives Sample the chance to dazzle on piano it is the wonderful ‘This Bitter Earth’ that really finds Crawford and Sample at their combined best.
In terms of personal favorites there is much from which to choose. Among them is fabulously deconstructed ‘Almaz’ yet in the final analysis Crawford’s incredible interpretation of ‘Rainy Night In Georgia’ steals the show. Although Randy Crawford was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio she was in fact born in Macon Georgia and perhaps this is why she is able to cram so much emotion into this fine track. Whatever the reason, and much like the entire collection; in every respect it is the real deal.
‘Randy Crawford & Joe Sample Live’ will be released on July 31 and comes highly recommended.