Sylvester - Living Proof

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Free Music Notes for Living Proof

Free Music Review: The only officially released concert album
Hit: 5 Stars

The album is like a highlight reel. The extended concert versions of "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" and "Dance (Disco Heat)" are tremendous, showing wit and a highly developed theatrical sense, as Sylvester shares the spotlight with an incredible cast of musicians, including backing singers Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes (later the Two Tons o' Fun / Weathergirls), famed 1970s synthesizer master Patrick Cowley, guitarist James 'Tip' Wirrick, pianist Eric Robinson, and backing vocalist Jeanie Tracy.

These original songs are matched and topped by the cover versions and re-makes from the rest of the concert. Sylvester turns songs from artists as diverse as the Beatles ("Blackbird"), Billie Holiday, a relation of his ("Lover Man"), and Thelma Houston ("Sharing Something Perfect Between Ourselves") into his own, with his blazing, soulful falsetto vocals. Other highlights from the album include a gorgeous duet with Martha Wash, the medley "Could It Be Magic / A Song for You," and the soaring vocal brilliance of "You Are My Friend."

The musical value of the concert is matched by the historical value. Patrick Cowley would be dead from AIDS within three years, Sylvester would follow in 1988. In addition, the album captures Wash, Rhodes, and Tracy right before they would all go on to solo careers. This album also marks the crossroads between Sylvester's pure disco albums ('Sylvester,' 'Step II,' 'Stars') and his more soul/pop later albums (notably 'Sell My Soul' (1980) and 'Mutual Attraction' (1986)).

After listening to this album, it is easy to play 'what-might-have-been?' Sylvester was still recording stunning music, this time on the major Warner Brothers label, up until falling too sick to go on in 1987/88. It is easy to see what heights he could have attained from listening to 'Living Proof.' In the closing minutes of the concert, the entire audience is chanting and humming along to the strains of "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)." Sylvester leads them along, dividing the audience in sections, having each section sing a chorus, bringing in the background singers for solos. The only regret is that the concert, the album, and the career did not go longer.

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