Air Supply - Greatest Hits Live... Now And Forever (1996)

Air Supply are not known for their live shows, but 1996's Greatest Hits Live: Now & Forever wasn't designed as a showcase for their live act: it was designed as a way to give their new label, Warner, a collection of hits that were recorded for another label. With that in mind, the release of Greatest Hits Live seems logical, as it does serve the needs of at least one group and possibly two, as there will certainly be some devotees who find this an engaging album. And, to be fair, it's hardly a bad album: it's slick and professional, with Air Supply getting as close as possible to the studio recordings -- they're a little cleaner and sparer, but the intent is clearly replication, not interpretation -- never quite imbibing these renditions with the sense of spirited live performance. As these things go, it's not bad -- it's pleasant, even -- but it's not necessary.