Before the Explosion

Recorded at New York's infamous Bottom Line in 1972, THE ISLEYS LIVE serves as the last album released before the official announcement of the 3+3 lineup. The material is derived from the albums "Givin' It Back" (1971) and "Brother Brother Brother" (1972), and of course a hornless "It's Your Thing" is included (a version with horns appears as one the bonus cuts recorded live at Yankee Stadium in 1969). On this album, Ernie, Marvin and Chris display their ample talents although Ernie comes off as too loud and show-offy on the draggy "It's Too Late" and funeral-like "Ohio/Machine Gun". The recording quality is thin but adequate, and the lounge lizard techniques (i.e. Ronald impersonating Ray Charles and The Supremes At The Copa-like spoken intoduction to "Love The One You're With")wear a little thin. Overall, an imperfect but good document of the Isleys in concert before the gold and platinum album avalance that occured during the rest of the 1970s.

Pretty Good

this Compilation of the Isley's is Pretty Good but this pre-dated the 3+3 Era where they truly exploded&found there Own Groove&Idenity fully.how I wish they had a Live Album from anywhere between 76-79 showcasing there Growth when Compared to when this Album dropped? don't get me wrong this is a pretty Good set,but what came after this Set with there way of Producing,Arranging&balancing Slow&Funky Jams totally flipped there Script.The Isley Brothers are truly the Greatest Band in America Ever.then Comes Earth,wind&Fire.

these tribute songs are awesome!

I can't agree with any rating less than a 5 star!



The Isley Bros took 5 awesome tunes from other bands and made them all so much better! "Too Late" from Carly Simon is dreamily long, and you'll even want it to keep going (over 12 minutes long). Their rendition of "Love The One You're With" by CSN&Y is less country than the original. This one is lively and energetic. "Lay Lady Lay" from Bob Dylan is a beautiful improvement, better voice, better delivered, alive (and over 7 minutes long). "Ohio" by Neil Young is blended with the jagged "Machine Gun" by Jimi Hendrix, and is 12.5 minutes long! I listen to this blazing and passionate one over and over! They even decided to change the direct references to "Nixon" who was "running" for President again at about that time. (hmmm, surely not the first black Republicans???)



Hey, if you don't like longer-live rock, don't buy a live album. If you like live albums because the songs get extended and livened up, this one is awesome!



I'd have given it a 6 star if it had their Seals & Crofts blastin' remake of "Summer Breeze" and their own "That Lady" live and even longer than their long studio version!