Jump to content

Best Live Album


US Egg

Recommended Posts

Was surfing through channels and saw Peter Frampton on. ”Frampton Comes Alive” was a smash when I was in ‘high’ school. Chicks dug it.

 

The toxic lustful teen I was would say that was, due in part to it contributing to adolescent good times. There’s plenty more worth recognizing.

Edited by I am the egg man
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Harry Chapin - Greatest Stories Live

Johnny Cash - Live at Folsom Prison

Neil Diamond - Hot August Night

Tragically Hip - Live Between Us

The Cure - Show (and the "singles" CD Side Show)

Peter Gabriel - Secret World Live

The Smiths - Rank

Barenaked Ladies - Rock Spectacle

Pink Floyd - Delicate Sound of Thunder

 

  • Like (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Just Jack said:

Harry Chapin - Greatest Stories Live

Johnny Cash - Live at Folsom Prison

Neil Diamond - Hot August Night

Tragically Hip - Live Between Us

The Cure - Show (and the "singles" CD Side Show)

Peter Gabriel - Secret World Live

The Smiths - Rank

Barenaked Ladies - Rock Spectacle

Pink Floyd - Delicate Sound of Thunder

 

Wow. Only heard Cash and Neil. Maybe I should disqualify myself from this thread.
 

2 minutes ago, TheCockSportif said:

Supertramp - Paris

Rush - Exit Stage Left

Saw both in the ‘70’s, twice. Again, don’t know either album. I’m not worthy to rate.

 

😬

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Peter Gabriel      Secret World

Yes     Yessongs

ELP.    Welcome Back My Friends.....

The Guess Who   Live at the Paramount

Pink Floyd   Pulse

Genesis    Seconds Out

Muse  Live at Rome Olympic Stadium

King Crimson     Music is Our Friend (2021 final tour)

and lastly  (waiting for getting flamed)

KISS     Kiss Alive.   without this double album Kiss would have been  discontinued by their label and Gene Simmons would not be a billionaire.

 

  • Like (+1) 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, WhoTom said:

Live at Leeds - complete (2-disc) version

 

 

 

There's your answer.  I was about to type this.

 

Not even close!

 

I have the fat 2 disc CD with thick booklet of info in it, and I sit down and listen to the music while reading the book now and again.  

 

The 5 or 6 minute jam session within "My Generation" alone is phenomenal.

 

That was The Who at the top of their game.

 

 

  • Like (+1) 1
  • Awesome! (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, LewPort71 said:

 

KISS     Kiss Alive.   without this double album Kiss would have been  discontinued by their label and Gene Simmons would not be a billionaire.

 

Not a KISS fan initially, my 2 year younger brother was in our teens. Heard the album regularly, wouldn’t disagree with you.

 

Day of KISS show in ‘78 was offered a floor ticket and went. Was smashed in amongst a throng 6 ft. back from center stage.

 

I am a KISS fan.

Edited by I am the egg man
  • Haha (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, PastaJoe said:

The Allman Brothers live at the Fillmore East.

 

The material for this album was actually taken from 4 shows. For the hardcore fan, in 2014 they released a 6 CD set with the individual shows ("The 1971 Fillmore East Recordings").

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Typically not a huge fan of live albums.  But there are a few that stick out for me:

 

Rock of Ages, The Band

Waiting for Columbus, Little Feat

Fillmore East, Allman Brothers

Live at the Fillmore, Zappa

Live/Dead, Grateful Dead

Certified Live, Dave Mason

 

I know I'm missing some.

 

I give an honorable mention to Live Full House, J Geils Band.

 

22 minutes ago, davefan66 said:

A lot of great albums listed.

 

Gotta add Frampton Comes Alive.

 

Already been mentioned several times.

 

How about some of the worst live albums from bands you actually liked, at the time anyway?

 

On Your Feet or On Your Knees, Blue Oyster Cult (A real stinker)

Live in America, Steely Dan (not actually THAT terrible, but not up to SD standards)

I'll think of more.

 

Edited by The Dean
  • Like (+1) 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

28 minutes ago, DrW said:

Grateful Dead - Live/Dead

Zappa - You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 "The Helsinki Concert"

Traffic - Live On The Road

Little Feat - Waiting For Columbus

The Band - Rock Of Ages

 

Nice list! I saw The Band and expected to see The Last Waltz. That was a regular play for a while there. 

  • Like (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

Nice list! I saw The Band and expected to see The Last Waltz. That was a regular play for a while there. 

 

 

IMO The Last Waltz is a quality entry to this list. I just think Rock of Ages is a bit better.

  • Like (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

47 minutes ago, The Dean said:

Typically not a huge fan of live albums.  But there are a few that stick out for me:

 

Rock of Ages, The Band

Waiting for Columbus, Little Feat

Fillmore East, Allman Brothers

Live at the Fillmore, Zappa

Live/Dead, Grateful Dead

Certified Live, Dave Mason

 

I know I'm missing some.

 

I give an honorable mention to Live Full House, J Geils Band.

 

 

Already been mentioned several times.

 

How about some of the worst live albums from bands you actually liked, at the time anyway?

 

On Your Feet or On Your Knees, Blue Oyster Cult (A real stinker)

Live in America, Steely Dan (not actually THAT terrible, but not up to SD standards)

I'll think of more.

 

Surprised at this take... I mean, do we really want every live album to sound just like the studio albums? The Eagles for example, what is the difference really and what would be the point of going when it all sounds the same. Sometimes raw is better imo... I love this one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, T&C said:

Surprised at this take... I mean, do we really want every live album to sound just like the studio albums? The Eagles for example, what is the difference really and what would be the point of going when it all sounds the same. Sometimes raw is better imo... I love this one.

That's why Steely Dan live is flawed. Tight? Yes. Spontaneous? Not at all.

  • Agree 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, T&C said:

Surprised at this take... I mean, do we really want every live album to sound just like the studio albums? The Eagles for example, what is the difference really and what would be the point of going when it all sounds the same. Sometimes raw is better imo... I love this one.

 

Where did you get the idea I wanted the live album to sound like the studio versions?  I never said that and certainly didn't mean to imply it.  I didn't like the BOC album because it was SLOPPY. The sound wasn't all that great, either. They were far better in actual concert, back then., IMO.

 

2 hours ago, Rico said:

That's why Steely Dan live is flawed. Tight? Yes. Spontaneous? Not at all.

 

Horrible take, IMO. Listen to the two new Live recordings from the 2019 tour (post Becker, RIP). They are very good, and most of the cuts don't sound like the studio versions to me. Different arrangements, different solos, etc.  Fagen has even scolded a player or two for playing note-for-note solos from the recordings.  Some of their "hits" have been completely rearranged for the live band.  Here's just one example:

 

 

 

But I do expect QUALITY musicianship and a tight band. And overall good sonic presentation. 

I would expect, if this version was released on  an official live album, the sound would be (should be) far superior

Link to comment
Share on other sites

24 minutes ago, The Dean said:

Where did you get the idea I wanted the live album to sound like the studio versions?  I never said that and certainly didn't mean to imply it.  I didn't like the BOC album because it was SLOPPY. The sound wasn't all that great, either. They were far better in actual concert, back then., IMO.

I guess for you it would be considered a bootleg... can respect that take for sure. On a side note, its amazing how much the first 4 lp's go for now in excellent condition. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, T&C said:

I guess for you it would be considered a bootleg... can respect that take for sure. On a side note, its amazing how much the first 4 lp's go for now in excellent condition. 

 

 

Bootlegs tend to have poor sonic quality, no doubt. It's to be expected, IMO. Some more tolerable than others. Especially if there is something a little different/extra/special in the performance

 

But I have to say, if the band isn't tight, then I probably won't be a big fan. Then again, I'm not a big fan of bands that aren't tight live in person, or on recordings.  And just to be clear, a group like The Band, was what I'd call "loosely tight". It sounds loose, but the musicianship is as tight as can be. Gotta have a good rhythm section.

While not heavy on my current playlist, I do still love the first three BOC albums.  The 4th is OK for me too. After that, no thanks. Though there may be some later albums I haven't heard.

  • Like (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

 

Bootlegs tend to have poor sonic quality, no doubt. It's to be expected, IMO. Some more tolerable than others. Especially if there is something a little different/extra/special in the performance

 

But I have to say, if the band isn't tight, then I probably won't be a big fan. Then again, I'm not a big fan of bands that aren't tight live in person, or on recordings.  And just to be clear, a group like The Band, was what I'd call "loosely tight". It sounds loose, but the musicianship is as tight as can be. Gotta have a good rhythm section.

While not heavy on my current playlist, I do still love the first three BOC albums.  The 4th is OK for me too. After that, no thanks. Though there may be some later albums I haven't heard.

Yeah... didn't really care for them after 76 either. My buddy had on your feet or.. on an 8-track so we kind of bonded with it. Either way, there was no denying Donald Roeser. He killed it on that live album. When it comes to music I don't expect perfect but something nice to listen to.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, The Dean said:

 

Where did you get the idea I wanted the live album to sound like the studio versions?  I never said that and certainly didn't mean to imply it.  I didn't like the BOC album because it was SLOPPY. The sound wasn't all that great, either. They were far better in actual concert, back then., IMO.

 

 

Horrible take, IMO. Listen to the two new Live recordings from the 2019 tour (post Becker, RIP). They are very good, and most of the cuts don't sound like the studio versions to me. Different arrangements, different solos, etc.  Fagen has even scolded a player or two for playing note-for-note solos from the recordings.  Some of their "hits" have been completely rearranged for the live band.  Here's just one example:

 

 

 

But I do expect QUALITY musicianship and a tight band. And overall good sonic presentation. 

I would expect, if this version was released on  an official live album, the sound would be (should be) far superior

There's no way I want to find out, but I believe that if you compared that performance to other performances of that song on that tour, they would be note-for-note identical.

Edited by Rico
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Rico said:

There's no way I want to find out, but I believe that if you compared that performance to other performances on that tour, they would be identical.

 

 

I have seen them twice on the same tour only once, I think. Of course the songs sound remarkably similar, from show to show, but the solos are improvised and vary. If you are paying close attention you can hear that. 

 

I think of SD the way I think of Duke Ellington. Solo improvisations inside of tight compositions.  And here, "compositions" is the key word, I think. You might notice band stands, with the music sheets on them, for many in the band. They aren't just freelancing a "tune" or doing a jamband thing. Too many complicated chord/time signature changes in the music. They aren't as locked in as a symphony orchestra, but far more than a garage band. Their biggest influences are jazz and old school R&B.  Duke Ellington meets Ray Charles. Gotta have a great rhythm section that can play funk.

 

I'd have mentioned Snarky Puppy's live in the studio albums, but I didn't think that was really in the spirit of this discussion.  But still:

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can't believe I forgot this:

 

Too Late to Stop Now, Van Morrison

 

I'd also consider A Night in San Francisco. But I'm biased as I was at one of the two shows they recorded for that album.

  • Like (+1) 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

There's your answer.  I was about to type this.

 

Not even close!

 

I have the fat 2 disc CD with thick booklet of info in it, and I sit down and listen to the music while reading the book now and again.  

 

The 5 or 6 minute jam session within "My Generation" alone is phenomenal.

 

That was The Who at the top of their game.

 

 

I love a metric *****-ton of music made before and after, and imho that version of 'My Generation' is the pinnacle of the entirety of rock music- I've just never heard anything else soar quite that high. The build, the pinnacle, the plunge off the cliff   Entwistle Moon pure gorgeous ferocity.  Chilling.  


 

I have a couple playing copies and a sealed original press... so I guess I'm a fan of the album haha

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is OLD. A NEW topic should be started unless there is a very specific reason to revive this one.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...