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Daryl Hall And John Oates
Live At The Troubadour
(Shout Factory/U-Watch Records)
Although I’ll be the first to openly admit that although my unabashed appreciation for all things Heavy Metal and Heavy Metal-related has already been documented ad nauseam, as a child of the ‘70’s, ‘80’s and ‘90’s, the music of Daryl Hall and John Oates (i.e. Hall & Oates, or if you prefer, ‘Holland Oates’ or ‘Haulin’ Oates’) frequently served as an inadvertent soundtrack to the pubescent and prepubescent eras of my often adventure-filled life. As a result, my appreciation for the multi-Platinum-fueled duo, while not necessarily on par with the quasi-mindless devotion I routinely bestow upon artists and groups such as AC/DC, Iron Maiden and Quiet Riot, is indeed sincere. Not surprisingly, when I was initially approached regarding writing a review of the long-running group’s highly-anticipated Live At The Troubadour, I was only more than happy to oblige.
On the stellar Live At The Troubadour (2008), an expertly assembled nineteen track collection of brilliant Pop and Soft Rock, each track, beginning with the upbeat, synth-driven melodrama “Everything Your Heart Desires”, the haunting “Say It Isn’t So”, and the soaring “Had I Known You Better Then”, immediately commands the rapt and undivided attention of even the most jaded and unimaginative of listeners, myself most definitely included. Wisely re-capturing the ingenious ‘…Rock ‘n’ Soul…’ formula that personified much of their noteworthy past (most notably 1981’s Private Eyes and 1983’s Greatest Hits compilation Rock ‘n’ Soul Part 1), the group effortlessly breezes through each Adult Contemporary composition, effectively bridging the more than considerable distance between their major label past and the stripped-down realism of the present.
Continuing with the stirring, emotion-laden lament “She’s Gone”, the oft-overlooked “Sara Smile”, and the impossibly hook-laden “Maneater”, the improbably steadfast combination of vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist Daryl Hall, vocalist/guitarist John Oates, guitarist T-Bone Wolk (ex-Saturday Night Live), multi-instrumentalist Charles DeChant, keyboardist Eliot Lewis, bassist Zev Katz, drummer Mike Braun and percussionist Everett Bradley steamroll ahead at a delightfully spirited pace. Driving home ‘…each key focal point…’ with what can only be described as a carefully calculated ease, the group wastes little--if any--of the listener’s increasingly precious time distinguishing themselves from their few remaining contemporaries, resulting in a multi-faceted sonic barrage that is, without a doubt, quite easily worthy of the highest of critical and commercial accolades.
Directed by the acclaimed Conor McAnally (My Left Foot, Heart: Dreamboat Annie Live, SXSW Live 2007, to name only a few), other standouts, including the saccharine-laden--albeit highly effective--“Kiss On My List”, the maddeningly infectious “You Make My Dreams”, and the equally impressive closer “Private Eyes”, only further solidify the duo’s already undeniably well-deserved reputation as a creative and commercial forced not to be ignored. An absolute must-have (at least as far as the proverbial ‘…guilty pleasures…’ are concerned) for both die-hard completists and curious newcomers alike, what ultimately separates the occasionally stunning audiovisual behemoth that is the mighty Live At The Troubadour from its plethora of well-executed predecessors is the group’s invariably airtight (if not outright painstaking) emphasis on delivery.
Still too embarrassed to admit you dig it? Yeah, that’s what I thought. But whatever you do, don’t let that stop you from enjoying what is, without a doubt, a truly refreshing audiovisual experience. Even if you still somehow find yourself less than enthralled with the premise of ‘Rockin’ Out’ to a group whose discernable commercial successes are arguably permanently in the past, the veritable avalanche of chart-topping hits and lesser-known gems contained herein are seemingly guaranteed to leave all parties involved--myself most definitely included--thoroughly satisfied. Thus, if you’ve once again found yourself in search of a slightly ‘…Easy Listening…’ alternative to the hopelessly contrived menagerie that is so often the Hip Hop-infused status quo, then this, my friends, might just be the cure for what ails you. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Select Discography
Live At The Troubadour (DVD) (2008)
Home For Christmas (2006)
The Essential Daryl Hall & John Oates (2005)
One Kind Of Soul (2004)
Do It For Love (2003)
Marigold Sky (1997)
Change Of Season (1990)
Ooh Yeah! (1988)
Big Bam Boom (1984)
Rock ‘n’ Soul Part 1 (1983)
H2O (1982)
Private Eyes (1981)
Voices (1980)
X-Static (1979)
Livetime (1978)
Along The Red Ledge (1978)
Beauty On A Back Street (1977)
Bigger Than Both Of Us (1976)
Daryl Hall & John Oates (1975)
War Babies (1974)
Abandoned Luncheonette (1973)
Whole Oates (1972)