The Ultimate Live Collection

They Say...

Review by Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

Packages can be deceiving; this one is a case in point. This "box set" is nicely put together. It's black with four-color photos of Marvin Gaye in action, inside it contains a sticker and a small button of the master in full roar. The music comes as a double disc, with a booklet that contains real liner notes by vocalist and producer Athan Maroulis (responsible for this collection), and full credits. This set was issued by Goldenlane Records and is manufactured and distributed through the ever-unreliable Cleopatra. That last name should make punters duly suspicious, since the imprint has been involved in some of the most unconscionable "reissues" and "live albums" in the marketplace. These two discs contain terrific performances. While the actual origin of the 1980 performance is in doubt, Maroulis' liner notes claim that despite other "reissues" -- bootlegs pure and simple -- of most of this same material being credited to a gig in Miami, this was impossible since Gaye didn't live on the continent and didn't tour here either. The sound quality is certainly a board tape that remains unmixed and it's a warts and all performance of hits and misses from his best '60s and '70s material. Disc two was recorded during his Midnight Love tour in 1983 and was recorded in the United States. The sound quality here is decidedly rougher and sketchier, though all the instruments can be heard (mostly) clearly. Sound problems in the hall are plentiful here as well, and this set remains unmixed. The performance is dynamite and the band features the talents of Sheila E. and her dad, Pete Escovedo on percussion instruments. Nowhere is it mentioned in the package that the material was licensed from either Motown or Columbia, so one wonders how Cleopatra, Maroulis, or Goldentone has the authority to issue these performances? If it smells like a bootleg and sounds like one, it more than likely is one. Despite the rather fancy packaging, this set remains one of the many Gaye sets of dubious origin. Only hardcore fans will be interested in this stuff, the more causal fan will be more than satisfied with official albums and videos.