Presented by Goldenvoice.
Band: Edward Kowalczyk, Chad Taylor, Patrick Dalheimer, Chad Gracey.
Expectations have been high lately where dramatic York, Penn., rock quintet Live (rhymes with hive) is concerned, and for the most part, the band has delivered.
Their just-released and recently No. 1 album, "Secret Samadhi" (Radioactive/MCA) is a worthy follow-up to their multi-platinum 1994 effort "Selling the Drama," while current single "Lakini's Juice," an intense song of personal discovery, dominates at rock radio stations.
But if this disappointing show, part of a brief warm-up theater tour, is any indication, the band may struggle in the future to live up to inspiring past performances.
The trouble began with singer Edward Kowalczyk's battered voice, which consistently missed high notes during the 90-minute show, causing the rest of the band to play tentatively and without passion.
"Does anyone have a voice they want to let me borrow?" the singer asked, without further explanation. But whatever the cause, the result was Live's worst local performance. Even their songs, otherwise the band's saving grace, couldn't save them this night.
The grace and emotion of such tunes as midtempo burner "Turn My Head" and "Waitress" were all but spoiled by Kowalczyk's vocal frustrations, while the band's uninspired take on the Psychedelic Furs' "Love My Way" was simply a waste of time.
Live moves to larger venues soon, a prospect that should be immediately troubling to the band's handlers, who'll soon have to explain what happened to this once-great "live" band.
Reviewed March 12, 1997.
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