Little River Band: Live Exposure

Live Exposure presents Melbourne's Little River Band on stage in Houston on October 7, 1981. Emerging from Australia in 1975, with players from New Zealand (keyboard player Malcolm “Mal” Logan), Holland (guitarist Beeb Birtles), and America (singer/bass player Wayne Nelson), the lineup was completed by drummer Derek Pellicci, guitarist Graham Goble, guitarist Stephen Housden, and hip-swiveling front man Glenn Shorrock (two years later, the group would replace Shorrock with singer John Farnham). In contrast to many of the Aussie acts who hit it big in the 1970s (like AC/DC and Rose Tattoo), LRB blended a more harmonic sound with a slightly country accent—akin to Crosby, Stills & Nash or the Eagles—with a few Bee Gees-style disco beats thrown in at times, while on other songs, the band sounds like Phil Collins-era Genesis. Though not the world's most distinctive group, their mid-tempo material goes down easy and the musicians have a good rapport with each other. On tour in support of Time Exposure, their sixth studio recording, they perform a 14-song set, including familiar favorites such as “Happy Anniversary,” “Reminiscing,” “Lady,” and “Help Is On Its Way,” their first U.S. hit. Only the listless ballads “Mistress of Mine” and “Ballerina” dull the pace a bit. The film shifts between the live gig and scenes from the band's life on the road—including rehearsals, radio interviews, and dressing room shenanigans. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, this is recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)