A wonderful live album that capitalizes on
Withers
' trademark melancholy soul sound while expanding the music to fit the room granted by a live show. Lovely versions of
"Grandma's Hands"
and
"Lean on Me"
are balanced by heartfelt downbeat numbers like
"Better Off Dead"
"I Can't Write Left-Handed,"
the latter being an anti-war song with a chilling message. The set finishes off with the lengthy
"Harlem/Cold Baloney,"
with lots of audience-pleased call-and-response going on. One of the best live releases from the '70s. ~ Steven McDonald