CD Preview: Sly & the Family Stone' Live at the Fillmore

Let’s get straight to the chase here, buckos! On July 17th, 2015 Legacy Recordings will release Sly & the Family Stone’s Live At The Fillmore East October 4th & 5th, 1968, a four-disc set comprised of four different shows (two early and two late shows) from two nights in October 1968. The previously unreleased performances were recorded at promoter Bill Graham’s legendary NYC venue The Fillmore East in support of the band’s third album, Life.

There’s some significant overlap between the two nights and across all four discs, each of which contains an entire performance – you know that Sly was going to play the band’s big hit, “Dance To The Music” every night – and, indeed, it’s here four times, as are great songs like “M’Lady” and “Color Me True.” But there are also some other individual gems to be found among the 34 performances on the box set, and while I haven’t heard it yet, it’s a sure bet that there’s some subtle shading and differences in the performances from show to show.

In late ’68 Sly & the Family Stone were building a well-deserved reputation as a dynamic, high-energy live band, and Live At The Fillmore East will be a fine addition to the collection of any funky fan.

Buy the CD set from Amazon.com: Sly & the Family Stone's Live At The Fillmore East October 4th & 5th, 1968