The immaculately produced disc is a visual and sonic gem. Performing in an outdoor amphitheater and backed by a stellar group of players, L&M appear, of course, older (both men are just shy of their 58th birthday). You wouldn't know it, though, given the still-electric vocal interplay between Messina and Loggins — god, those harmonies! — and the musicians' energy and exuberance, which flowed like a running river.
The concert includes all but one of the songs from the original Sittin' In and songs from each of their successive studio LPs. Without exception, the performances are top-notch: Messina clearly remains the musical anchor; his proficiency on acoustic and electric guitars and on the dobro is spotlighted to great effect. His singing is wonderful too, though (most notably on the antiwar "Same Old Wine"), it's obvious that Loggins' amazing pipes still make him the star.
Now, though, the two are equals. L&M makes that apparent by showcasing Loggins' skills as guitar soloist during extended jams on songs like the raucous "Angry Eyes" and as passionate harmonica player ("Same Old Wine"). The duo also tinkered with vocals - some old tunes that featured Loggins were reworked splendidly to give Messina the singer a chance to shine. In one of the evening's best highlights, "Peace of Mind," the gospel-flavored tune originally performed as a Loggins tour de force, gave Messina the lion's share of mic time (only fair, considering Jimmy wrote the tune) - but then permitted Loggins to go nuts at the song's end. A smart move: Kenny, clearly feeling the lyrics, gave a transcendent performance that outdid even his superb 1971 recording (and almost anything you'll hear by today's artists).
As with previous L&M shows (chronicled on the duo's On Stage [1974] and Finale [1976]), the show begins with Ken and Jim on acoustic guitars. After moving through songs from the first Sittin' In - the DVD features lots of obligatory shots of boogeying boomers, along with a brief tribute to L&M's old saxophonist/flautist Jon Clarke, who died of kidney cancer last June - the guys take off with energetic, intricately played renditions of songs including Messina's soaring, Celtic-influenced "Be Free," Loggins' lilting rocker "Vahevala" and the jazz-inflected, down-and-dirty "You Need a Man." Throughout, the sharp backing band - particularly keyboardist Gabe Dixon and Gabe Witcher, who shines on fiddle and dobro - is engaged, enthusiastic and absolutely excellent.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Davis
We made Advance? Cool, and thanks.
2 - LauraH
Thanks, Natalie, for a wonderful, and honest, review. I found songs on the DVD that I'd forgotten were so fun, especially "Growin'". Both Kenny & Jimmy have just gotten better with age; perhaps it's a refined sense of harmony and true friendship. Who else could sing of geing a friend but these two.
3 - Kejo
They plain old suck