Live in Africa

Although started out in the mid-'70s as an archetypal harmony trio, the group has long since dropped all pretense of group identity and the name is now synonymous with lead singer and songwriter (this despite the fact that his cousin, , a founding member of the group, is still with him; the third vocal position has been a revolving door throughout 's 25-year career). This live album is actually the soundtrack to a concert film of the group's 2000 performance in Capetown, South Africa. The sound quality is good and the set list is exactly what you'd expect, with a hearty helping of songs from the band's halcyon days (including and the inevitable ) along with some of 's better compositions of the 1990s (including the excellent ). is given a lovely - treatment. Between songs, unburdens himself of sentiments both sensible ("Turn off the TV!") and absurd ("If I was here five years ago you wouldn't have a war!"). Overall, it's a fairly enjoyable listening experience, though it suffers from what sounds like a certain degree of professional detachment. The band has the charts down cold and sounds like its phoning them in, and himself is clearly going through the motions on perfunctory renditions of and Which is too bad, because in particular, deserves better. A lack of magic isn't the worst thing in a live album, but it's one more reason to make sure you own , , and before you invest in this one. ~ Rick Anderson