Consumer Guide Album

Marvin Gaye: Live [Tamla, 1974]
There's inspired singing here, but even on the stupendous version of "Trouble Man" Gene Page's orchestra intrudes--Gaye hasn't managed to mix the instruments into the unified background presence of his recent studio albums. Also: seven great oldies banished to a "Fossil Medley," and "Jan," conceivably the worst song he's ever written. C+