What is your favorite LIVE album?

Evolone@beehaw.orgmod to Music@beehaw.org – 35 points –

Share your favorite live records with us!

Here are some questions for discussion:

What performances really stand out for you? What is unique about the way the band performs live? What draws you to the live performance? Do you prefer a live version of a song over the recording? Why?

90

Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense. David Byrne's performance is captivating. I've probably watched the video a hundred times and listened to the album countless times. Every song is better than the studio version

Probably a three way tie among:

Nirvana - MTV Unplugged in New York

Portishead - Roseland NYC Live

Dave Matthews Band - The Central Park Concert

I also have a soft spot for The Complete Monterey Pop Festival

Kurt's vocal on Where Did You Sleep Last Night is one of the most visceral things I've ever heard. Get that on through decent headphones and you'll never listen to it the same way again. That breath he takes before the last lines is absolutely haunting.

Watch the video with headphones. His facial expressions match.

Nirvana's Unplugged in New York album is, in my opinion, as close to perfect as it gets.

Mine is Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Live at Radio City. Someone showed me that as an introduction to Dave Matthews and it was right when I was getting into playing guitar and I was awestruck! Watched the whole thing in one sitting and then learned several of the songs over the next few months.

I don't know if it counts as a live album as such, because as far as I'm aware it was never released, but The Weakerthans - Live At The Burton Cummings Theatre is a wonderful show. I ripped the audio from it to put on my iPod, so technically it is a live album to me...

Edit: Totally counts, it's available in all of the places...

Oh man thanks for the link! I’ve only started listening to The Weakerthans in the past few years and will definitely be checking out this performance

Welcome to the Sad Dad club, where the music we enjoy is about feelings and missing cats. You'll never be happy again, but you'll love the music nonetheless!

I got into The Weakerthans within the last year or two as well. I listened to Propagandhi a lot as a teenager and never really followed what happened with John when he left. Teenage me would not have appreciated/enjoyed it probably, but adult me is loving it - and the live album is amazing!

I must confess, I didn't really get into them until after they'd split up, though I knew Plea From A Cat Named Virtute from one of the Punk-O-Rama collections. There's a part of me that's sad that I never got the chance to see them live, but I don't know as to how often they came to the UK anyway - if at all.

But yes, I don't think John's lyrics would have meant much to me when I was younger. At my age now though, I firmly believe that he's one of the greatest poets of his generation.

I clicked to come in here and post Throwing Copper but then I read the actual post!

Journey's most recent one (Chicago) is great, even sans Perry.

I listen to Rush's Time Machine frequently (even though I saw it live too!)

The live Blizzard of Oz is fantastic as well.

Hahaha I was waiting for someone to toss out Throwing Copper!

I need to check out Time Machine…I love Rush and am sad I missed seeing them live.

I absolutely adore U2’s Under A Blood Red Sky. U2 are my favorite band and I think I have other favorite live shows as bootlegs (Dublin 93!! Point Depot 89!!), but this is my favorite live official release. It is also my bucket list show. If I could go back in time, this is the concert I’d want to go to. Red Rocks is an incredible venue and the performance of The Electric Co. is, well, electric. Also “40”…just an incredible tune and the magic of hearing the audience chant “how long…” is spine tingling. Would have loved to be there.

I think one of my other favorites is Live After Death by Iron Maiden. They perform Flight of Icarus and Rime of the Ancient Mariner and it’s incredible. Also, Phantom of the Opera from the Hammersmith is included on this remaster and that’s in my top 5 Maiden songs.

Under A Blood Red Sky is the reason I added Red Rocks to my travel bucket list!

Genesis’ Seconds Out is my favorite live album of all time. For people only familiar with the Phil Collins era of the band, it’s a perfect gateway to their brilliant past. Phil treats the Gabriel vocals with love and affection and really brings his all. Steve Hackett gives possibly some of his strongest work with the band. And the drum interplay between Collins and Chester Thompson (and, on one track, Bill Bruford) is :chef’s kiss:

Zappa/Mothers Just Another Band from LA showcases one of my favorite eras of the band, cut tragically short. The best, most complete rendition of Billy the Mountain until the release of the Carnegie Hall show

Came here to recommend Seconds Out.

That user name couldn't really recommend anything else though 😉

Genesis Live was a bit clunky.

TBH I feel like they really hit their stride performing in 1975-76. The Trick/Wind tours had a loose, jammy feel to them that’s irresistible.

Rush - Snakes and Arrows Live 2007. It was a perfect set list. Plus, the cinematography of the concert DVD was beautifully done.

Saw them at Sheffield on that tour. One of favourite gigs ever.

To speak on the topic generally rather than answer the question specifically, I would say that almost every blues album is better live than studio recorded.

Heilung - LIFA. Their performances are rituals, and you can really feel the energy in the live version vs the studio version. A particularly good example is the LIFA version of Hamrer Hippyer vs the studio version from Furtha.

This is what I would have mentioned here, too. There is also an official full video of this show online. If you like this kind of music I really recommend going to a live concert if you have the possibility.. It is just a whole new experience compared to watching/listening to the recording. For me it finally took the place of best show ever from Therion.

I saw heilung live for the first time this year and it was magical, I wonder if the album could do the experience justice.

Metallica’s S&M is a standout for me. It was so fresh and exciting and rich experience to listen to for the first time.

I like Joe Satriani’s live in San Francisco. He generally approaches live recordings as a unique experience so the songs and performance are quite different each time. He’s one artist I almost like his live albums more than his studios

Iron Maiden’s Fear of the Dark live versions are just another level in energy

S&M is amazing!! How do you like the second one? Any hopes for an S&M3? I’d love to see some of the new 72 Seasons songs done with an orchestra. And we need more Death Magnetic!!

Fear of the Dark live is always magical.

I haven’t listened to S&M2. Maybe I should give it a try? I’m surprised they did it considering how complete the first one was. And remember them saying how crucial the late Michael Kamen was to arranging it.

Paris by Supertramp. The performances, recording quality and song selection are all top notch.

Two of my favorites that are relatively different (with Spotify links):

  • Viva the Underdogs by Parkway Drive: This album was recorded live at Wacken Open Air 2019 and also has a really cool accompanying documentary the band released with the same title. The energy on this album is insane and the band put on an all time performance! I've listened to it repeatedly since its release.

  • Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland by Rush: This album was recorded at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH in 2011 on Rush's Time Machine World Tour. This was Rush's first ever live album recorded in the U.S. and is one of their best IMO. They play all the hits and the crowd brings great energy. The full video version is also on YouTube, which is awesome!

Is Time Machine the tour where they performed Moving Pictures in full?

I’m gonna spin this one today I think. Damn, I am sad that I never got to experience Rush live.

That's right! They perform all the songs off of Moving Pictures as well as a lot of other great songs. The set list from their website for the tour was as follows:

::: spoiler spoiler

Set One

  • “The Spirit of Radio”

  • “Time Stand Still”

  • “Presto”

  • “Stick It Out”

  • “Workin’ Them Angels”

  • “Leave That Thing Alone”

  • “Faithless”

  • “BU2B (Brought Up To Believe)”

  • “Freewill”

  • “Marathon”

  • “Subdivisions”

Set two

  • “Tom Sawyer”
  • “Red Barchetta”
  • “YYZ”
  • “Limelight”
  • “The Camera Eye”
  • “Witch Hunt”
  • “Vital Signs”
  • “Caravan” (from Clockwork Angels)
  • “Moto Perpetuo/Love For Sale” (Drum Solo)
  • “O’Malley’s Break”/”Closer to the Heart” (with alternative outro)
  • “2112 – I: Overture and II: The Temples of Syrinx”
  • “Far Cry”

Encore

  • “La Villa Strangiato” (with polka intro)
  • “Working Man” (with reggae intro)
  • “Cygnus X-1: Book I” teaser (second leg only) :::

Simon and Garfunkel's Concert in Central Park. I know Art was choking the whole time but it's just a great album nonetheless. Definitely a concert I would time travel to attend.

Tyler Childers Live on Red Barn Radio.

His music already has a lot of heart and emotion in the studio and it's even better in these live recordings, also excellent set list.

Bjork - Vespertine Live

Every song seems like a slice of magic. It’s both perfect and naturally in-exact.

Blaze Foley's Live at the Austin Outhouse

https://open.spotify.com/album/20jfTvbCUwJjOAhPkeIv61

Blaze was an outlaw country artist who, like many outlaw artists, struggled with relationships and substance abuse. His awareness of these issues made his music more powerful and his early death even more tragic. Recently a biopic was made about his life, named Blaze.

LCD Soundsystem: The Long Goodbye

I mentioned this one as well! Legitimately incredible performances on this one, would recommend to anyone even a little into their music or their musical style

Frank Zappa's "You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore: Vol 2 is probably my favorite. At least for commercially released live albums. Choosing someone like Zappa or the Grateful Dead is somewhat cheating as an answer to this question though because they toured relentlessly and recorded all of their shows. So you have thousands of live recordings to choose from.

Iron Maiden- Live After Death

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XECqZcIO1fU

Aside from having a great setlist, I was a huge fan at the time, and they manage to make minor changes to some of the songs which really enhanced them. I don't usually feel that way about live performances, but I listened to, and watched the hell out of this one.

This was my pick too. I've actually never watched the video, but I'm going to now!

For me it is Fleetwood Mac's The Dance, which brought Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham back into the fold, a decade after recording Tango in the Night. It's not really a hidden gem, as it was very popular, but if you like them and haven't heard it yet, give it a shot.

I remember watching the concert on TV and it was spectacular and magical, so the nostalgia goggles are firmly in place. I don't usually enjoy recorded live albums, but this one holds a special place for me.

I really love A Show of Hands by Rush. It's one of my favorite of their eras, though I feel like the "synth era" isn't as universally loved by fans

"Coldplay Live 2003", mainly because it contains some of my favorite deep cuts.

AC/DC - if you want blood - best live album of all time, peak Bon Scott era.

Motorhead - No sleep till hammersmith - with the classic line up and some of their best tunes played at deafening volume.

Viagra Boys - Shrimp Sessions 1 and 2, probably 3 when it's out

Pink Floyd was already mentioned, but David Gilmour’s Live at Pompeii is also a thing of beauty. I accidentally ran across it playing on PBS a few years ago and was glued to the screen for the whole thing, then immediately ordered the Blu-ray to watch again.

On less mainstream note, New Grass Revival’s Live cd is not just better than their live albums, but is close to my favorite bluegrass album of all time. Studio bluegrass can sound too “manufactured” for me.

Also, aside from the Zappa already mentioned, there’s a Zappa Plays Zappa live album/dvd with Napoleon Murphy Brock and Steve Vai, which I also really love. The Zomby Woof from that on YouTube is a great highlight.

The Puscifer live albums that released during lockdown and Slayer - Decade of Aggression

Leprous' Live at Rockefeller Music Hall. The whole thing is great but it's mostly because they did this as the last song of the concert, somehow. The swansong of a very different, darker, more brutal era for the band. The guy doing the harsh vocals here, Ishan, he isn't even part of the band, really. But here he is. I'm not even a fan of black metal with vocals this harsh, usually, but godDAMN the energy is infectious. Better than the studio recording because the showmanship of doing it right at the end like this is so damn impressive.

This isn’t an album, but I love O’Brother’s various Audiotree recordings. They’re just so BIG and intense. I don’t know how to explain it. You can really feel some sort of alchemy happening while they’re playing, and the vocals are freaking wild. I love the recorded versions, but these ones feel turned up a notch to me. There is an energy in it that i find really compelling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uflJpjdmyG8

Sonata Arctica - Songs of Silence, Live in Tokyo

Listening to the studio versions of these songs is weird for me now. It is one of the few live albums I've listened to where the audience adds something.

There's a couple that I really enjoy:

  • Vulfpeck - Live at Madison Square Garden: I was never really one for live albums, more often than not I found it tough immersing myself in the music and the performance so I (wrongfully) write them off. But this album flipped a switch in my brain I didn't even know I had, I could physically feel the energy from the band and the crowd, it's seriously infectious! every single one of the musicians on stage brought their absolute A game, to the point where there's several songs on the live album that I prefer over the studio versions (e.g. Funky Duck, Christmas in LA, 1612, Cory Wong)

  • LCD Soundsystem - the long goodbye: I got into LCD Soundsystem a little after their touring hiatus, so I'd always listen to this one sad that I probably won't be able to go to one of their live performances in the foreseeable future (I did get to see them at Re:Set though which was great!). Hearing the crowd go crazy during the drop in dance yrself clean is a religious experience! and all my friends is a song that's always made me pretty emotional, so hearing it in a live setting always gets me going lol. Absolutely recommend this one to anyone who's even remotely into their music.

I've posted once but another favorite and something that everyone should experience at least once is Monsters of Rock 1991 in Moscow, Russia during the dissolution of the USSR.

I'm not sure if I'd call it a live album in the classic sense but it was a giant concert recorded live featuring Metallica, Pantera, AC/DC, E.S.T (A Russian heavy metal Band), and The Black Crowes performing at Tushino Airfield. Here's a more in-depth article about the event.

It was documented into a film called For Those About to Rock: Monsters in Moscow, which is available on YouTube

Tom Waits - Glitter & Doom

James McMurtry & the Heartless Bastards - Live in Aught-Three

16 Horsepower - Hoarse

Pain of Salvation - Be (live)

I almost never prefer live albums, but these work for me. Some live albums are "you had to be there" things for me. And even some where I was there (Rush Snakes and Arrows Live), they don't work for me. I can't really articulate why.

Daft Punk's "Alive 2007" is still one of the best live shows I've ever heard.

Meola, McLaughlin, Lucia - Friday Night in San Francisco

Bill Evans - Waltz for Debby, Sunday at the Village Vanguard

Tim Buckley - Dream Letter: Live in London 1968

Eric Dolphy - Live at the Five Spot

Probably an odd one, but Yanni—Live at the Acropolis. It is damn near the perfect live recording if you can listen to it on an old school CD player or on a media player that supports gapless listening (no breaks / pauses between tracks). It's a series of full orchestra arrangements and medleys of his solo piano work that really doesn't have any flaws.

For probably 99% of the music I listen to, I vastly prefer live over recordings and live recording over studio. Big band jazz is my oldest love, trad (instrumental folk) my deepest, opera my newest. They're all genres centred around live performance. It's the way music has been for most of human history, people playing for themselves and other people. Studio effects can be interesting but they don't have the same immediacy. While it may be a shared endeavour for the musicians and producers, we as an audience can only give them our money, not our energy.

Top is (Duke) Ellington at Newport, from the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. Superbly talented geniuses who were on fire and we're so lucky it was recorded. The gem amongst gems is the sequence of Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue with an Interlude from Paul Gonsalves. Both group and solo work are excellent, everyone on top of their game. Starts out mellow, and then builds, and builds, and builds. Listen to the crowd loving it. They know they're experiencing something truly special. https://piped.simpleprivacy.fr/watch?v=wIX7fnYANak

Lau Live Lau (word for a particular quality of light in Orkney) is a Scottish & English experimental trad band who are phenomenal live, especially in tunes like this where they build and build the energy. They crank the musical tension and when they let it go, it's visceral. Being in the room and feeling the vibrations is the best, but this album (good headphones mandatory) will do. https://piped.simpleprivacy.fr/watch?v=hoEYutpgnuQ

That said, the last time I heard them play was a double bill with a young Danish trio called Dreamers' Circus and they out-Lau'ed Lau.

Trad music is great like that.

More mainstream, I'm also very fond of The Allman Brothers Band at Filmore East.