Live in Las Vegas Vol. 2

There are 17 photos of Sonny & Cher adorning the front, back, and gatefold of Live in Las Vegas Vol. 2. The first volume on Kapp was recorded at the West Side Room; like that album, this set of recordings is again produced by Denis Pregnolato, but taped at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas during July and August of 1973. The show begins with their 1971 Top Ten hit "All I Ever Need Is You," and contains their obligatory self-deprecating humor woven throughout the medley of "I Can See Clearly Now," "You've Got a Friend," and "Where You Lead," all 1971-1972 standards. Even Jeff Porcaro on drums and Dean Parks on guitar can't keep the Jack Eglash Orchestra from adding too much schmaltz to the proceedings. The band is extraordinary — conductor/keyboard player David Paich played with Jefferson Airplane, Joe Cocker, and Elton John, while Dean Parks had an equally long resumé, including Cocker and Neil Diamond. Sonny & Cher do their TV show onstage, the aforementioned Diamond represented here by "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show," while the original risqué lyrics to "Superstar" by Bonnie Bramlett flow from Cher's lips. Perhaps the real nugget here is the version of Stevie Wonder's "You and I" (not one of his more popular numbers, but one that shows his prowess), proving that a Vegas act can perform a non-hit and make it a standout. There is a twist of fate here: On Stevie Wonder Live, Wonder goes through the Vegas-type routine, while on this very showbiz double-set by Sonny & Cher, his tune is the diamond in the rough. But that cliché is not totally fair — these professionals are doing what the audience expects, and they are pop art icons. Sonny Bono's version of his composition "You Better Sit Down Kids" works much better than the studio recording from the All I Ever Need Is You album. Though Cher's 1967 Top Ten gender-flip version is still the classic, it is very nice to hear the author do his song in the presence of the star who made it famous. Decades after being recorded, Live in Las Vegas Vol. 2 stands as an important document by two important personalities, backed up by stellar musicians. It is classy and classic stuff. Where Stevie Wonder Live crammed an hour's worth of music on two sides, MCA wisely spread this music and comedy over four.