John Legend - Live from Philadelphia (CD)

All Music Guide

In the U.S., the CD and CD/DVD versions of Live from Philadelphia were Target exclusives, though the DVDonly version was available elsewhere. The recording offers a fairly even balance between John Legend's studio albums to that point 2004's Get Lifted and 2006's Save Room and there's the high level of showmanship for which Legend has become known. He did, after all, pay some major dues as a performer prior to signing with a major. Legend's voice is a little rough, though it's really no hindrance, unless you can tolerate nothing short of precision. Some fun curve balls are thrown into the set, like a cover of Sly the Family Stone's "Dance to the Music" and the clever incorporation of the Blackbyrds' "Rock Creek Park" within "P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)," which fits both musically and thematically. A take on the Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," however, is more like a temporary derailment.

- Andy Kellman, All Music Guide