Search - Kokomo :: Live in Concert 1975

A disappointment

03/21/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"As a long-time Kokomo fan, I was excited when I saw this recording listed. I have all three of the group's studio albums on vinyl, and I wasn't aware of any live recordings. After listening to the disc several times, I am disappointed on two counts: first, the album focuses on the songs and stylings of the group's second studio album, which in my opinion is clearly the weakest of the three. Second, the performances are a bit rough, and not nearly as polished as I believe the group could have been. The first and third albums contain mostly very sophisticated soul sounds. To me the group was unique in that the members don't overtly imitate any particular American soul groups. The performances here, and in the second studio album, sound as if the group is being led forcibly down a derivative "funk" path that too many other American groups attempted to follow during the mid '70s. The saving grace of the disc is that it includes two of the group's best-ever songs, Carolyn Franklin's "Angel" and Bobby Womack's "I Can Understand It." I give the disc two stars, one for each of those songs. I would give lots of money to have the first and third albums on CD."