Live (Usher album)

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Live
Usher chronology
My Way
(1997)
Live
(1999)
8701
(2001)
Singles from Live
  1. "Bedtime"
    Released: February 18, 1999

Live is a

Usher. It was recorded on October 15 and 16, 1998 in the singer's hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and released by LaFace Records on March 23, 1999. Both audio-only and video longform versions were released; it was distributed to break up the gap between Usher's second and third studio albums, My Way (1997) and 8701
(2001).

Live received generally negative reviews from critics; many criticized the poor live sound of Usher's voice on the album. Live reached number 73 on the

Top Music Videos. The album has sold over 200,000 copies in the United States, and both the audio and video versions have been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA).

Background

Live was released to keep Usher's fans satisfied during the four-year break between

studio albums, respectively. During that time, Usher was busy pursuing an acting career in films The Faculty (1998), Light It Up (1999) and Texas Rangers (2001).[1] The album was recorded at two free concerts Usher performed in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee on October 15 and 16, 1998.[2] Usher stated his reasons for releasing a live album in an interview with MTV, "I really like the sound of a band, that's one, just for myself, but there were so many people who didn't get a chance to see the concert, so I came out with a live version of most of the songs on my album, and I came out with a home video for all the people who didn't get a chance to see the performance, and a little bio of me as well."[3] Seven of the songs included on Live are from Usher's self-titled debut album (1994) and My Way. A medley of songs originally performed by Bobby Brown—"Don't Be Cruel", "Every Little Step", "Rock Wit'cha" and "Roni"—is also featured on the album, along with covers of Force MDs' "Tender Love" and LL Cool J's "I Need Love".[4]

Live was released in the United States by

cassette[6] and VHS formats;[7] along with the concert footage, the VHS features interviews with Usher. The audio version Live was later serviced to digital retailers for music download.[8][9]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic
[4]
Robert Christgau(dud)[10]
Entertainment WeeklyC[11]
Rolling Stone[12]
USA Today[13]

Live received generally negative reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from

Allmusic criticized Usher's "tired and weary" live sound, although he praised the remixed songs at the end of the album.[4] Entertainment Weekly's J. D. Considine gave Live a C grade and wrote that, despite Usher's performing ability, the audio album is boring without video footage of the concerts.[11] Neva Chonin of Rolling Stone was unimpressed with Usher's "tinny"-sounding voice on Live.[12]

Live debuted at number 76 on the US

Top Music Videos chart at number four on the chart of April 10, 1999.[16] It remained at number four for three weeks,[17] before ascending to number three on May 1, 1999, where it peaked for one week.[18]
The RIAA certified the Live video gold, after it shipped 50,000 copies, on December 22, 1999.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."
Brian Casey
  • Dupri
  • Seal
  • Usher
  • 6:30
    14."You Make Me Wanna..."
    • Dupri
    • Seal
    • Usher
    5:48
    15."My Way" (JD's Remix)
    • Dupri
    • Seal
    • Usher
    3:38
    16."Nice & Slow" (B-Rock's Basement Mix)
    • Dupri
    • Seal
    • Usher
    4:03
    17."You Make Me Wanna..." (Tuff & Jam Dance Mix)
    • Dupri
    • Seal
    • Usher
    6:45

    Personnel

    Credits for Live adapted from

    Charts

    Weekly chart performance for Live
    Chart (1999) Peak
    position
    US Billboard 200[14] 73
    US
    Top Music Videos (Billboard)[18]
    3
    US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[22] 30

    Certifications

    Sales and certifications for Live
    Region Certification Certified units/sales
    United States (RIAA)[23]
    Video
    Gold 50,000^

    ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

    References

    1. ^
      Viacom
      . Retrieved June 4, 2011.
    2. ^ "Usher To Release Live Record From Hometown Shows". MTV News. Viacom. January 8, 1999. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
    3. ^ "Usher Keeps Films Coming As He Prepares New Album". MTV News. Viacom. February 11, 1999. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
    4. ^
      AllMusic
      . Retrieved June 3, 2011.
    5. ^ "Live". Retrieved June 4, 2011.
    6. ^ "Live [Live]". Retrieved June 4, 2011.
    7. .
    8. Apple Inc
      . Retrieved June 4, 2011.
    9. ^ "Live". Retrieved June 4, 2011.
    10. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Usher". Retrieved June 3, 2011.
    11. ^ a b Considine, J. D. (April 16, 1999). "Usher Live". Retrieved June 1, 2022.
    12. ^ a b Chonin, Neva (June 10, 1999). "Album Reviews – Usher – Live". Rolling Stone (814). Archived from the original on December 4, 2007.
    13. Gannett Company
      . p. 04D.
    14. ^ a b c "Usher Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
    15. ^ a b "Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2011. Note: User must select the page 5 listings.
    16. ISSN 0006-2510
      .
    17. .
    18. ^ .
    19. ^ "Bedtime (Live)". MTV. Viacom. March 17, 1999. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
    20. AllMusic
      . Retrieved June 4, 2011.
    21. AllMusic
      . Retrieved June 4, 2011.
    22. ^ "Usher Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
    23. ^ "American video certifications – Usher – Usher Live". Recording Industry Association of America.