With the CDC tightening the leash on gatherings, social distancing guidelines, and mask policies, the idea of getting out to enjoy myself at a concert (like, say, the Emily King tour I just bought tickets for in September) is becoming more of a fantasy each day. I'm currently in the heat of preparing for my first semester of grad school at UC Berkeley, and these live albums have been giving me hope for a time where I can get dressed up, go out to a small, dim venue and get lost in someone else's voice.
The Supremes At the Copa
NYC, 1965: Three Black girls performing for a wealthy crowd at the luxurious Copacabana nightclub, which had barely been integrated for a decade. It's no surprise that The Supremes At the Copa peaked at #11 on the charts on its initial release: the hits we know America's most impactful girl group for are performed at high tempo and high intensity to match, offering definitive versions of "Come See About Me" and "Stop! In the Name of Love". This live recording also captures Diana Ross' early performance style and how quickly she can charm an audience with chipper transitional dialogues and occasional jabs at fellow Supremes Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. At the Copa gives a lot of context as to why the group would be renamed, "Diana Ross and the Supremes" two years later.
Ledisi Live at the Troubadour
To hear Ledisi is to love Ledisi, and this 11-track release of her December 2020 live-streamed concert gives old fans a warm hug, and new fans a welcome introduction. The Grammy Award-winning artists gives us bops from all over her career: old favorites like "Pieces of Me" and "Anything For You" find new maturity on this album, and sit right and tight with the new hits from her 2020 album, The Wild Card. In Yoruba, Ledisi means, "to bring forth." With a voice that knows no limits, Ledisi Live at the Troubador brings forth hope that we'll get through this, and some jams in the meantime.
Erykah Live
I'm sure the haters thought Erykah Badu was irresponsible and unwise to release a live album so soon after the release of her debut album, Baduizm. They couldn't predict that added track "Tyrone" would become so popular that it would lift the album to double-platinum status, and earn Badu a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. In between smooth and thoughtful lyrics about leaving toxic relationships and being in control of one's life, the first lady of neo-soul slips in some classic funk covers, including Rufus and Chaka Khan's "Stay", The Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long", and Heatwave's "Boogie Nights." Press play, put the phone down, relax.