Going through iTunes today while spending quality time with the kids and I come across this album- Ohio Players Live 1977. Listened to a little bit on YouTube and it sounds ok so far, but has anyone heard of this or know anything about it (i.e. when and where it was recorded)?

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Looked around online, didn't find anything (this album isn't listed in their Wiki), so I'm reaching out to the true funk soldiers on here...

Thanks and that helps. Listened to the entire show last night (and today) and a few observations:

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1.) this joint is FIRE (pun not intended). The mix could've been better but, considering that I didn't even know that this existed until yesterday, I can't complain as it was a helluva show. Favorite is the "Skin Tight/Fopp" portion.

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2.) you know how those 70s bands are and I loved how group members are introduced during the show by their Zodiac and not intstrument (hence, Sugarfoot is intro'd as "our Pisces in the group").

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3.) I'm cool with the 30 min. 2-part "Fire" but it's too long and I wish the show would've included some Westbound material instead.

I bought this on CD when it came out awhile back.It has also been released as a 2-LP blue vinyl set.

[Edited 8/7/23 12:27pm]

One of the mightiest funk ensembles to ever emerge from the Midwest, the Ohio Players started out as a blues band called the Ohio Untouchables in 1959, and over the course of a decade they evolved into a furiously tight and hard-hitting group who would cut some of the wildest dance hits of the '70s. The Ohio Players were at the peak of their popularity, enjoying the success of albums like Skin Tight, Fire, Honey, and Contradiction, when they took the stage for this 1977 concert, the only live document from the band's greatest era. While this release includes the love ballads "Alone" and "I Want to Be Free," the bulk of Live 1977 is devoted to tough, muscular funk workouts, with the band living up to their reputation as one of the great live acts of the day on tunes like "Love Rollercoaster," "Sweet Sticky Thing," "Skin Tight/Fopp," and an epic 30-minute version of "Fire." (AllMusic)

surprisingly,the Ohio Players (and the Isley Bros.) didn't release a live album during their 70s heyday.That's one reason why this particular release is so special.We finally get a live document of them in their prime.

I think the Isleys did release a live album in the early 70's. But the album contained covers of Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix songs. But I agree with you Soul. I think a live album in 1979 would have been great. They had some great albums to draw from by then.

SPYZFAN1 said:

I think the Isleys did release a live album in the early 70's. But the album contained covers of Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix songs. But I agree with you Soul. I think a live album in 1979 would have been great. They had some great albums to draw from by then.

Isleys 73. Not sure when it was released but also a helluva live album- amazing vocal performance from Ron and amazing guitar solos by Ernie.

SPYZFAN1 said:

I think the Isleys did release a live album in the early 70's. But the album contained covers of Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix songs. But I agree with you Soul. I think a live album in 1979 would have been great. They had some great albums to draw from by then.

you're correct....they did release a live album in the early 70s.A live album during their late-70s heyday would have been amazing.They were actually planning one in 1980 but those plans were cancelled.