Whilst I must admit that John Oates’ once prominently featured mustache gave me the creeps, I can honestly tell you that Daryl Hall has always been one of my favorite singers – a perfect blend of soul, rock and pop, perfectly suited for the music produced by the strong songwriting partnership that is Hall & Oates.

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Live At the Troubadour is a 2-CD 1-DVD set that features the duo at their acoustic best, back where it all started for them (at least on the west coast) at Hollywood’s famous (you guessed it) Troubadour club.  The boys are in top form as they rock and soul their way through some of their biggest hits including "Kiss On My List," "Rich Girl," "Private Eyes," "Family Man," "Sara Smile," "She's Gone," "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)," and "You Make My Dreams," as well as some of their lesser known tunes that clearly the sold out audience appreciated hearing.

The years have been kind to both Daryl Hall and John Oates, with many of their hits still in respectable rotation on the radio, and they continue to perform at an extremely high level in a live setting.  Sure, the guys (read: the record company) have put out at least half a dozen greatest hits compilations over the years, but this latest collection is certainly a more special and intimate presentation of their most beloved songs. 

Sonically, there is a strong acoustic flavor that is interwoven throughout the set list – certainly more so than the original studio versions of the songs.  But in this intimate setting (the Troubadour is not a large venue), the acoustic-driven production is both effective and very well received by those in attendance.  The CDs sound crisp and very well produced, as you would expect since this gig was recorded with the intention of producing this CD/DVD release.  The DVD is equally as impressive in both its sound and picture, and for anyone who wasn’t able to attend this special concert, it offers a truly enveloping experience, putting you in the venue with the crowd and the band, in one of the best seats in the house.

Longtime fans of Hall & Oates should consider this CD/DVD collection a must-own and even casual fans who are deliberating about which greatest hits collection to buy should consider Daryl Hall & John Oates - Live At the Troubadour as strongly as any of those studio hits packages, especially since it contains a DVD of the entire concert that spans the two CDs.

Disc 1:

1. Everything Your Heart Desires

2. When the Morning Comes

3. Family man

4. Say It Isn't So

5. It's Uncanny

6. Had I Known You Better Then

7. She's Gone

8. Getaway Car

9. Cab Driver

Disc 2:

1. One on One

2. Sara Smile

3. Maneater

4. Out of Touch

5. I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)

6. Rich Girl

7. Kiss on My List

8. You Make My Dreams

9. Abandoned Luncheonette

10. Private Eyes