THREE DOG NIGHT; "Greatest Hits Live" (Shout Factory) *** 1/2

Back in the '70s, Three Dog Night were a major concert attraction. The live shows were legendary and the hit-parade was unwavering. This collection of live performances from '72 and '73 is packed with TDN charters. "One Man Band," "Never Been to Spain," "Mama Told Me Not to Come," "Liar, "An Old Fashioned Love Song," "Eli's Coming," "Celebrate," "One," "Try a Little Tenderness," "Easy to be Hard," "The Family of Man" and "Joy to the World" make this CD a live performance not to be forgotten. — S.I.

VARIOUS ARTISTS; "The Sound of Philadelphia: Gamble & Huff's Greatest Hits" (Philadelphia International/Legacy) ***

Soul music masters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff have an impressive list on the Hit Parade of Philadelphia Soul. The O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (featuring Teddy Pendergrass), Patti LaBelle and Lou Rawls all took Gamble and Huff songs on a ride to the charts. The O'Jays' did it with "Love Train," "Back Stabbers" and "Use Ta Be My Girl." The Blue Notes found success with "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and "The Love I Lost," while LaBelle and Rawls made Philly proud with "If Only You Knew" and "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine," respectively. Also included on the CD are MFSB's "T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)," Pendergrass' "Close the Door" and McFadden & Whitehead's "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now." — S.I.

BILLY VERA & THE BEATERS; "Hopeless Romantic: The Best of Billy Vera & the Beaters (Shout Factory) ***

Live songs aren't really a good offering when it comes to "greatest hits" and "best of" CDs. That is, unless, your name is Billy Vera, who has written songs for Bonnie Raitt, Fats Domino and Robert Plant. This CD is a compilation of both live and studio cuts that include "At This Moment," which appeared in an episode of "Family Ties," "Corner of the Night," the Top 40 "I Can Take Care of Myself," "Millie Make Some Chili," "Once in a Lifetime (Will Do)" and "Hopeless Romantic." The musicality of Vera's songcraft is concise and enjoyable. There are even three previously unreleased songs, "I'll Be There for You," "I Want to Marry You" and "I'm All for You." — S.I.

DOC WATSON; "Best of the Sugar Hill Years" (Sugar Hill) ****