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AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT….Feb 19 '02 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line After reading a few of the other Epinions, I thought that I’d add in a “must have” list of live albums.
Barry Manilow and Barbara Streisand head up this list of mega-superstars! HA! Yeah, right! Take my word for it, you're not going to find their names anywhere on this index. I doubt if Barry or Barbara even know who half of these bands are. Instead I am offering up my opinion of the greatest top ten LIVE ALBUMS ever (plus a complete list for anyone who might be interested). This wasn't as easy as it sounds. There are a lot of live albums out there. I have to admit though, after scanning through a few Google searches, most live albums stink. So to help you with your CD collection, I have whittled down the whole enchilada to just ten "must have" albums. For the most part live albums have lost much of their luster over the past decade or so. Bands seem to have a hard time reproducing their studio “intricacies”. Another reason for the lack of great live albums is that with all of the "one-cut-wonder bands" out there, it is simply harder to come up with an hour’s worth of quality material. There’s one thing about live albums that is often overlooked. A live album is really very much like a greatest hits album. For some unknown reason, bands rarely summon up much intensity with their live performances. And coupled with the poor quality that is commonly found on most (early) live albums, there is usually little reason to lay down your hard earned bucks for what amounts to audio garbage. As a former musician, my criteria for selecting these albums may differ from yours. The interconnection between the band members, the variations on the original studio versions, the “electricity” of each song, and many more things either take away or add to what constitutes a great live album. But, in the end, it doesn’t really matter whether you are a seasoned musician or someone who has only played “air guitar”; a good live album ought to have that certain “something”. So without waiting, here are my choices for live albums with that certain “something”…. GET YER YA-YA’S OUT - THE ROLLING STONES. Put out in 1970, this is possibly one of the finest true rock and roll albums of all time. While it may lack overall hits, it makes up for it with some of the finest rhythm and blues ever. Keith Richards is incredible – an absolutely virtuoso! You could literally teach a class on rhythm guitar with this album alone. You’ll find a few Chuck Berry tunes mixed in with a slew of rockin’ Jagger/Richards originals. This album has “power”. Even if you think that The Stones are old ugly farts (which is more close to the truth than you might think), get this album. LIVE AT LEEDS (CD VERSION) - THE WHO . The original 1970 recording of The Who at the University Refectory, Leeds, England was very good, but it had one drawback – the Album didn’t have many songs on it. Someone felt the same way since the CD version comes in a two CD set with a total of 33 tracks! For those of you who have never seen The Who live in concert, do yourself a favor – get a copy of Live at Leeds. The Who have always been a great live band and this album showcases their talents. LIVE AT THE FILMORE EAST – The ALLMAN BROTHER’S BAND. The Allman Brother’s Band has gone through many changes over the years. This is the definitive line up with Duane Allman tearing up the place. Sadly Duane and the Filmore itself are gone. But we get to hear Greg, Duane, and Dickie Betts circa 1970 when they were just coming into their own. The Allmans are known for incredibly long jam sessions. In fact, there have been times when the concert promoters have had to beg the band to stop playing! This is a band that just loves to play music. One listen to this album and you will be an Allman Brother’s fan from then on. FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE – PETER FRAMPTON. He’s lost most of his hair and has settled down to live somewhere in suburban Ohio these days, but his live album surpasses all of his solo work, as well as the time he spent with his previous band, Humble Pie. This album does not scorch the walls with screaming guitar or maniacal singing. Instead it is an album that is light and yet “tight”. Frampton was never considered in the same league as, let’s say, Eric Clapton or Jeff Beck, but he was pretty darned good. You’ll constantly find yourself singing along with Frampton Live. As live albums go, this one holds it’s own very nicely. THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME – LED ZEPPELIN. Taken from the movie/documentary, this is a very good album. Through the years, it seems to have been left behind and forgotten. In my opinion, it is still very fresh and well done. The only drawback is the lengthy drum solo. I can listen to a drum solo once – maybe twice, but after that, it is a waste of album space. But song for song, this album holds it’s own very well. UNPLUGGED IN NEW YORK - NIRVANA. Released in 1993, this is a whale of an album. Nirvana is known for bringing the Seattle based style of music to the forefront. Following the suicide of Kurt Cobain, Nirvana lost it’s heart and soul. Being an “unplugged” album, we are given a chance to hear slightly different versions from a great band in their prime. LIVE IN AUSTRALIA – FRANK SINATRA. Alright, so Frank Sinatra isn’t exactly on everyone’s “A” list. This recording was taken while Old Blue Eyes was at his very best. Within the next 10 years, he would slow down and rely on his previous work. This catches him before he rested on his laurels. The album has power and a certain “snap” to it. I’m a romantic kind of guy anyway and Frank Sinatra can set the mood better than anyone else. Overall, this is a wonderful album. MIRRORBALL – SARAH MCLACHLAN. I just can’t get enough of this album. From top to bottom, this album is awesome. The control that Sarah has over her voice is simply amazing. Her songs range from cutting cynicism to bubbly love songs. But woven throughout the album is a feeling of true honesty. Sarah McLachlan puts her heart into these songs and it shows. Maybe that’s why I like it so much. From a musician’s standpoint, the backing vocals and the secondary keyboards are perfect – absolutely perfect. And the songs themselves have been taken to a different level from the studio versions. As I said before, this is an AWESOME album. LIVE CREAM VOLUME 2 - CREAM . Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and, of course, Eric Clapton. It isn’t easy for a three piece band to pull off a live performance. But with Bruce and Baker laying down a thick foundation for Clapton to build off of, Cream gave us some of the finest bluesy rock n’ roll ever. Only Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, and maybe Jimmy Page could have pulled off a performance like this. If you are looking for digital quality and a crisp recording, then forget it. This album can get kind of messy at times. But for some butt kicking rock and roll, this is one of the essential albums to have in your collection. LIVE – BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS . Released in 1975, this album smashed through and opened up the world’s eyes to reggae music. It offers up music that exciting and “happy”. You get to feel the “early” excitement to the reggae movement. Today’s ska and reggae material seems kind of rehashed and overused. Bob Marley was a master at working off of fun and bouncy rythyms. And the songs just seem to fit nicely together. There is a kind of flavor to this album that is hard to pinpoint. If you happen to see this in a CD format, make sure that you grab it. It’s definitely a “keeper”. MADE IN JAPAN – DEEP PURPLE . Deep Purple? Who were they? If you don’t remember them, do yourself a favor and get this album. Some say that it is the best live album ever made. I’m not sure if I agree with that, it is easily in the top ten. Put out in 1972, this album shows off a band at their peak. They put on a performance that is strong and “driving”. Soon after this album Deep Purple slowly withered away until they finally gave up the ghost. I am not a huge Deep Purple fan, but I have to admit, this album rocks. I could have gone on and on with my list but I wanted to keep the number down to ten. So for all of you who would like a complete list, here are a few Honorable Mentions. Sam Cooke – Live At Harlem Square Club – 1963 MC5 – Kick Out The Jams – 1968 Johnny Cash – At San Quentin – 1969 The Grateful Dead – Live/Dead – 1969 The Velvet Underground – Live With Lou Reed – 1969 Dr Feelgood – Stupidity – 1975 Cream – Wheels of Fire - 1968 The Grateful Dead – Europe ’72 – 1972 Grand Funk Railroad – Caught In The Act – 1975 B.B.King – Live At The Regal - 1965 Miles Davis – Live At The Plugged Nickel – 1965 Tim Buckley – Dream Letter – 1968 Uriah Heep - Uriah Heep Live – 1973 John Coltrane – The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings James Brown – Live At The Apollo Volume 1 – 1962 Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young – 4 Way Street – 1971 Pink Floyd – Is There Anybody Out There – 2000 Bob Dylan – The “Royal Albert Hall” Concert (Live 1966) – 1998 Neil Young – Live Rust – 1979 Cheap Trick – Live at Budokan – 1979 Queen – Live Killers – 1979 Yes – Yessongs – 1973 Jerry Lee Lewis – Live At The Star Club Hamburg – 1964 Paul McCartney & Wings – Wings Over America – 1976 (Currently out of print) Lynyrd Skynyrd – One More For The Road – 1976 The Band – Rock Of Ages – 1971 Van Morrison – To Late To Stop Us Now – 1973 Eagles – Hell Freezes Over – 1994 SuperTramp – Paris -1980 If you have enjoyed my Epinion, feel free to either rate it or to leave a comment. Thanks, DALE.  |
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