Live & More
Roberta Flack · 1980
98 min · 14 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of soul and jazz-infused ballads showcasing Flack's powerful vocals and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Only Heaven Can Wait (For Love) / You Are My Heaven Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Killing Me Softly With His Song — This track remains one of Flack's signature songs, showcasing her emotive delivery that transforms a narrative into a deeply personal experience. Its inclusion highlights her ability to connect with listeners through storytelling.
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Feel Like Makin' Love — Flack's rendition of this classic exemplifies her sultry vocal style, combining tenderness with yearning, making it an unforgettable love ballad. It illustrates her talent for conveying complex emotions through music.
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If Only For One Night — This track captures the essence of fleeting romance, with Flack's voice soaring over lush instrumentation, creating an intimate atmosphere that resonates with anyone longing for connection. It emphasizes her skill at evoking vulnerability and passion.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal performances but lacks a cohesive identity across its varied styles.
What we noticed
- Several tracks include extended instrumental sections that showcase the musicianship of the accompanying band, particularly in the jazz-inflected ballads.
- The sequencing alternates between slower ballads and more upbeat tracks, creating a dynamic flow that maintains listener engagement.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like emotional peaks
- intimate moments for reflection
- soulful harmonies for connection
- late-night listening with warmth
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, upbeat tracks
- seek standalone radio hits
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Highlights Flack's vocal prowess, beloved by fans for its live energy and emotional depth.
- Career context
- By the time 'Live & More' was released in December 1980, Roberta Flack had already established herself as a leading figure in adult contemporary music, following her commercial success with hits like 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' from 1973. This album was a collaboration with Peabo Bryson, marking a significant partnership that would elevate both artists' profiles within the genre. It captured Flack’s live performance prowess at a time when she was transitioning from studio recordings to more dynamic concert settings.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nina Simone· Bill Withers· Aretha Franklin
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Only Heaven Can Wait (For Love) / You Are My Heaven Start here 9:30
- 2 Make The World Stand Still 5:50
- 3 Feel The Fire 8:26
- 4 God Don't Like Ugly 4:58
- 5 If Only For One Night 5:53
- 6 Love Is A Waiting Game 7:27
- 7 Reachin' For The Sky 7:50
Disc 2
- 1 Killing Me Softly With His Song 5:51
- 2 More Than Everything 4:05
- 3 Feel Like Makin' Love 5:50
- 4 When Will I Learn 4:36
- 5 Don't Make Me Wait Too Long 9:08
- 6 Back Together Again 6:26
- 7 Love In Every Season / I Believe In You 12:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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