Spinner's Live Atlantic SD-2-910

Live albums are the paradox of the vinyl age. Without the broad subleties of the studio room the group or band is portrayed 'in the skin'. There can be no back-tracking, re-editing or overtakes. If done with precision and skill the intensity and feel of a live performance more than compensate for the loss of studio gimmickry. The Stone's 'Get Your Ya Ya's Out' is a case in point, while the Spinners Live is a good example of some of the faults that can plague a live album when the marvels of electronic wizardry have been trimmed away.

The Spinners Live album is a double L.P set and the songs are soul at its best. The Spinner's are still the slick and precise group that they were ten years ago, and their harmonies and chorus backing are a delight to the ear. The orchestration is tight and well balanced (if at times a little too rehearsed), never drowning out the group itself. Songs like 'Living a Little, Laughing a Little' and 'Then Came You' still retain the exuberance of the original recordings, while 'Could it be. I'm Falling in Love, could hardly be bettered. The only disappointment is the inclusion of 'Sadie' a sentimental and unnecessary piece of slop.

Side three is taken up with a 'Supstar Medley', good night club fare no doubt, but not normally live album material. However, the Spinners carry it off well, the timing always perfect, showing how polished and versatile the group is. The impersonations are never strained or drawn out, retaining listener interest in the act.

But something seems to be lacking, or perhaps there is something there that shouldn't be The Spinners are renowned as much for their stage routines as they are for their harmonies, and the listener is placed in the predicament of being able to hear an excited audience while being unable to gather the cause of the excitement. The constant tinkling of glasses and background chatter are another frustration; at one stage the listener could well imagine that the audience were more concerned with their immediate neighbours than with the Spinners. This no doubt is as much the fault of the recording's location (The Latin Casino!) as it is of the audience.

The mixing and editing sometimes leave a little to be desired. 'One of a Kind' for instance is cut off while the strings are still drawing the conclusion to the song.

However the overall presentation is good. The record delivers the goods admirably, showing the talents of probably one of the greatest soul acts around. If soul is your bag, then don't hesitate to have a listen. The faults fade into the background when considering the overall excellence of the album.

— Martin Allison