The Isley Brothers Album: “Live It Up [Bonus Tracks]”

the Isley Bros. and this was the first album I bought by them, first on cassette, then the album (after wearing out the cassette) and I'm just beside myself now that it has been re-issued on CD. It is one of my favorites...during the '70's, nobody brought the FUNK AND ROCK harder then the Isley's ("Live It Up," "Midnight Sky," "Need A Little Taste of Love")...and nobody brought the love and sensitivity either. Their version of "Hello It's Me" is a classic. The other mid-tempo/slow jams on the CD are just as hypnotic: "Lover's Eve," "Ain't I Been Good to You" and my

absolute favorite, "Brown-eyed Girl." This was a worthy follow-up to the classic "3+3" and a continuation of what the Isley's were to bring to the '70's...hard driving funk, with a little rock influence and beautiful love songs that provide lasting memories for you and the one you love. ANOTHER CLASSIC!

It is a well known fact that in Rock and Roll, you have what could be termed as a "holy trinity" as far as bands are concerned: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who. Of all the other bands, in particular, those from the 1960's and the "british invasion" era, those 3 bands are considered in a league all their own and the major influence on all others who came after them. What's not talked about as much, is the fact there's a "holy trinity" in Rhythm and Blues as well from the 1970's: Earth, Wind and Fire, Parliament & Funkadelic and The Isley Brothers.

These 3 bands would redefine how music was conceived and performed, they would toss aside old beliefs, systems and methods of doing things and pave the way for a whole new generation of singers, songwriters and performers. This album by the Isley's is the 2nd they would release with their revamped 3 + 3 line up. The addition of younger brothers Ernie, Marvin and brother in law Chris Jasper, would help to take the original line up of Ronald, O'Kelly & Rudolph Isley to heights they could never have imagined.

There songwriting on this album was razor sharp and their vocal harmonies right on target! The 3 younger members were truly incredible songwriters and performers who added tight and deep muscianship to the band that was not there before. Especially Ernie Isley who was a disciple of the great James Marshall Hendrix who was a member briefly of the group back when they started in the late 1950's. Ernie not only was and is an incredible guitarist and songwriter but what's not talked about enough is that the drums and percussion on their albums where also played by him as well!

Just listen to his two pronged attack on the title and opening track "Live It Up", it is pure and unadulterated funk and its best! This song showcases the overall skills of the band, great vocals and incredible musicianship. The next 2 tracks "Brown Eyed Girl" & "Need A Little Taste Of Love" displays another great strength, their otherwordly 3 part harmonies with Ernie's great acoustic guitar and drumming backing them up in all their glory. This is a song were the 3 younger members truly shine.

The next song "Lover's Eve" is a Chris Jasper/Ronnie Isely showcase as they slow it down a bit as only the Isley's can. The lyrically content is truly deep and reflective and allows Ronnie to showcase his vocal instrument as only he can. Then comes one of the hits and well known songs on the record "Midnight Sky" which was played constantly on FM funk and R&B stations when I was growing up. "Hello, It's Me" is the only cover on the album and shows how wonderful the band was and reinterpreting songs and producing a totaling different, yet equally pleasant, spin on another writers material.

The original album closes with one of the most soulful grooves ever written and recorded "Ain't I Been Good To You", this is true, down home, gut bucket funk & soul. It is what truly seperated the Isley's from any of their contemporaries and an absolute highlight of the album. The extra track is a live version of "Live It Up" performed on a tv appearance they made back in the early 1970's. This album, in my opinion, was one of the best of the decade and one that solidified the "updated" version of the band as a force so powerful, they placed themselves in the illustrious company mentioned at the beginning of this review.

All I can say is that this album is simply spectacular!!.The Isley Brothers has gotten me totally obsessed and in utter amazement with thier superb music over such a long period of time!.Every song here is an absolute gem!. "Live it up" is concious and uptempo, "brown eyed girl" is equally bouncy,oh my, here is the gloomy yet beautiful "lover's eve". "Midnight sky" is just so liveley, now to my very favourite here, the senuous and beconing "hello it's me", designed to melt the toughest heart!!.Closing the show is the quizzing "ain't I been good to you?" one song in two styles. Again, this masterpiece is a must have for any Isley fan, and anyone who loves fantastic music which is truly timeless. Before it gets rare, go get it!!!.

Always infectious,always sweaty the Isley's only upped the ante in the early 70's by solidifying their "3+3" combination. Their debut album,consisting largely of slower grooves did an excellent job of kicking everything off but this is the album where everyone involved begin looking squarely into the future. Chris Jasper really gets a huge chance to shine here as the rhythm element of synthesizers become an enormous part of the Isley's general sound. It's a great jam as is but one has to admit the meat of the title track really lies in that area. One part of every song that confirms another thing about this band is that Ernie Isley,whose playing permeates everything on this album without any doubt belongs in the league of "guitar heroes" along with Hendrix,Eddie Hazel,Prince and Carlos Santana,that is if he isn't already there. For a shorter burst of funk n rock you cannot do much better than something like "Need A Little Taste Of Love". Two major high points here are two extended pieces,maintaining another 3+3 Isley tradition starts with "Midnight Sky"-a great song on it's own but the rhythm grinds and grinds it's way all the way to the end that points out a strong connection to the JB style of extended jamming that,added to their own funk style adds tons of extra flavoring. Of course...............on the closing 8+ minute "Ain't I Been Good To You" really brings it all home with this very dark hued tune that jams it's way from sweat funk into this slow,blues/soul grind with Ron singing so close to the microphone you can hear him breathing in parts as his voice expressess the impending doom n' release of the song. The brothers also provide two self written ballads in "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Lover's Eve",both warm and romantic slow jams in their own particular style. Their cover of "Hello It's Me" though.....well just in terms of vocals alone it totally transforms the intent of the song into something far,far more sensual than awkward. The Isley's were really laying the groundwork here for a handfull of classic albums they'd release from the mid 70's into the mid 80's and everything was really pulled completely together from this point on.

This titled Isley's album is probably their most underrated recording ever. These tunes were hot and funky. "Lover's Eve" is definitely their most underrated ballad. This is an Isley's collector item. Please do go and cop it if you do not have it.