Melissa Manchester - Live '77; Released Just In Time for Its 45th Anniversary

Photo: North Dakota State University Archives (October 22, 1977)

Back in the 1970s, I was aware of Melissa Manchester, quite liked her music, and I would dip into her albums from time to time when I was on the radio. If I had known that her live shows sounded like this, I would have made more of a point not to miss her. 

On October 30, 1977, her show at Great Southern Music Hall in Gainesville, Florida was recorded for a live album, which never was released until now. Arista Records, her label at the time, inexplicably decided to leave the tapes on the shelf rather than release them. Just released now to celebrate the 45th anniversary of this recording, the folks at Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records have released this excellent album on two CDs. 

Earlier that year, Manchester had toured opening for Leo Sayer. That fall, she undertook a headlining tour from whence this show originated. Manchester had a superb band with her and they excelled at every position. It was a dynamite set. I don't know that it was the complete show, but it does sound like it. 

Of all her hits, the live version of "Midnight Blue" stands out on CD 1. Likewise for a super soulful version of the 1965 Fontella Bass hit, ""Rescue Me," which compares favorably to the original. Which is an excellent set up for the very funky version of "Hi-Heel Sneakers" that follows. It's also worth noting that this album represents the only appearance of this song on a Melissa Manchester record. 

The set continues on CD 2 with almost too many highlights to mention. That said, the song in this set that blew me away is her cover of AWB's "A Love of Your Own." I've seen The Average White Band do that song many times and I have to say that this is one of the best cover versions yet. 

Being that this show has not been heard in 45 years, it feels like a privilege to hear it now. In addition, the liner notes by Joe Marchese are new, plus there are new interviews with Melissa Manchester and with Clive Davis, who ran Arista back in the day. Many thanks to Real Gone and to Second Disc for this release.

Watch "Midnight Blue" on this live clip (circa 1980), location unknown.

Listen to the studio version of "A Love Of Your Own" (Singin' 1977)


CD One
1. Let Me Serenade You
2. Party Music
3. Happy Endings
4. Midnight Blue
5. Be Somebody
6. This Lady’s Not Home
7. We’ve Got Time
8. Good News
9. I Wanna Be Where You Are
10. Monkey See, Monkey Do
11. Rescue Me
12. Hi-Heel Sneakers


CD Two
1. Caravan
2. Be Happy Now
3. Better Days/Come In from the Rain
4. O Heaven (How You’ve Changed Me)
5. A Love of Your Own
6. If It Feels Good (Let It Ride)
7. Just You and I
8. Easy
9. No One’s Ever Seen This Side of Me


Bonus Video: 
Read the story first before you watch the video/commercial (recorded in 1977, the same year as the concert on this new album). Both courtesy of the artist.







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