Home Read Classic Album Review: Sade | Lovers Live

Classic Album Review: Sade | Lovers Live

The sophisticated soul siren remains a smooth operator on this lush live recording.

This came out in 2002 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):

 


Some bands need explosions, confetti cannons and high-wire acts to create an exciting live show that holds your attention. Not Sade.

The sophisticated soul siren just needs those smoky, sensual pipes of hers to gently lure you into the palm of her hand and keep you there for the duration of this 70-minute live set taped in Los Angeles last September. Of course, her silky-smooth backing band doesn’t hurt either, subtly supplying lush, gently gliding grooves that act as a snug, velvety backdrop to the darkly burnished jewel of Sade’s voice. The set list is dominated by tunes from Lovers Rock, her gorgeous comeback album from 2000, augmented by classic singles like Sweetest Taboo, No Ordinary Love and Smooth Operator. Which is precisely what Sade remains.