Live Albums: how often do they satisfy?

[@colinpiper4386]

I know it’s not what you’re stressing here, but The Last Waltz is unbeatable.

[@peterwarwick7789]

The Concert for Bangladesh is a superb album.

[@ronfowlermusic]

yes, surprised no one else has mentioned it.

[@robertfmorton]

Number one - Wings Over America.
Then, in no particular order.
Lou Reed 'Rock n Roll Animal.
Joni Mitchell 'Miles of Ailes'.
The Who 'Live at Leeds'.
Thin Lizzy 'Live and Dangerous'.
Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'.
The Band 'The Last Waltz'.
Bob Dylan 'Trouble No More'.
Tom Petty 'Pack Up The Plantation'.

[@CutiePie-hh3gg]

Nothing beats a good live album

[@patriksweden9203]

Wings Over America by Wings

[@ronfowlermusic]

that's one of the best; and Rock Show, the movie, is even better!

[@robertfmorton]

One if THE best live albums.

[@novangoghmusicofficial]

I love Joni Mitchell’s live album “Miles of Aisles”.

[@markwade2530]

Frampton Comes Alive still stands up today. Superb.

[@jazzthunder50]

Concert for George is a great tribute love album! Eric Clapton’s one more rider one more car very fine. Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scott’s Bruce Springsteen 1975-1985 BB king live at the Regal Van Morrison It’s too late to stop now

[@erniericardo8140]

1.The Rolling Stones-Get Your Ya's Ya's Out 2.The Who-Live At Leeds 3.Deep Purple -Made in Japan 4. Robin Trower Live 5 The Allman Brothers-Live At The Fillmore East 6. Wings Over America 7. Simon & Garfunkel-Live in Central Park 8. Bob Marley-Live At The Roxy 9. Otis Redding- Live At The Whisky A Go Go 10.Jerry Lee Lewis At The Star Club -Honorable Mentions Trini Lopez -Live At PJ's - James Brown - Live At The Apollo

[@ronfowlermusic]

how about the Beatles Live at the Star Club?

[@rodplumb6509]

Wow, John you have some listening to do, so many omissions on your list. Bob Marley & The Wailers “Live “ Joni Mitchell “Miles Of Aisles” Van Morrison “It’s Too Late To Stop Now” Little Feat “Waiting For Columbus” Genesis “ Seconds Out “ Steely Dan “ Northeast Corridor “ The Who “ Live At Leeds/Hull “ Allman Brothers “ Live At Fillmore East “ Creedence Clearwater Revival “ Live At Royal Albert Hall “ should keep you going for a little while 😊

[@morgolus4413]

Genesis Seconds Out is an absolute masterpiece. The versions of Cinema Show and Suppers Ready are incredible. The dynamic range on this recoding is huge. Must have.

[@davidleinweber]

Yes, that was the great old Genesis on that album. Love Dance on a Volcano. The Phil Collin’s period Genesis that emerged later in the seventies never appealed as much to me.

[@morgolus4413]

@@davidleinweber This album certainly pre-dates their pop period, but it does feature Phil on vocals, Peter had left a few years prior. Most of the music is Gabriel era songs though.

[@davidleinweber]

@@morgolus4413 I had the Live Album and also Trick of the Tail and thought that they were great. Wasn’t that 75, 76 or 77? Anyway, super good albums, and I do like Phil Collin as a drummer and great singer, but always thought he was better used supporting other great songwriters. Wasn’t enough guitar featured on later Genesis or Phil Collin’s solo stuff. But I never listened to it that much so I could definitely be wrong, lol.

[@pavinder]

Agreed. Highlight for me is the Firth of Fifth guitar solo - absolutely extraordinary.

[@robhill8335]

Seconds Out is definitely my favourite live album of all time

[@suartgilmour4540]

Great video, broadly agree. Love Last Waltz, and Dylan's Rolling Thunder and Hard Rain. Some other great live albums imo are:
The Band: Rock Of Ages
Warren Zevon: Stand In The Fire
Van Morrison: It's Too Late To Stop Now
Emmylou Harris: At The Ryman
U2: Under A Blood Red Sky
REM: Live At The Olympia In Dublin
Radiohead: I Might Be Wrong
Nick Mason: Saucerful Of Secrets
My Morning Jacket: Okonokos
Neil Young: Live Rust
Wilco: Kicking Television
Margo Price: Perfectly Imperfect At The Ryman
I love some of the Grateful Dead studio albums, but I believe real Dead heads would regard the live albums as how to hear the Dead at their best.
Stuart

[@KingHarvestHSC]

I was going to add Rock Of Ages. It is one of the very best live albums.

[@suartgilmour4540]

@@KingHarvestHSC Yeah, love 'Don't Do It' and the way they usd the horn section. Plus Dylan joining them on 4 songs!

[@KingHarvestHSC]

@@suartgilmour4540 I think there are a few live tracks that outshine the studio tracks. Don't Do It, Get Up Jake, Stage Fright. Also, Rock And Roll Shoes is fantastic - I don't think they did a studio version of that.

[@DanielSlaten]

I absolutely love Stand in the Fire by Warren Zevon. The album shows how much he rocked in live performances. Not to mention his showmanship really connects with the audience and helps fuel a fantastic live album.

[@MrSmitht04]

The Rolling Stones Stripped album is amazing. Mostly acoustic live performances A couple of acoustic in studio performances

[@danny1959]

17/11/70 by Elton John and Rock and Roll Animal by Lou Reed are two of my favorite live albums.

[@MIB_63]

My favorite live albums in random order:
Wings Over America
Lou Reed: Rock n Roll Animal
V.U. 1969 Live
Rolling Stones: Get Yer Ya Ya's out
10cc: Live and Let Live
Neil Young: Rust Never Sleep
Nils Lofgren: Night After Night
The Who: Live At Leeds
Porcupine Tree: Anestetize
Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense

[@dwaynewladyka577]

Great choices. Cheers! ✌️

[@pintpot]

Yes, but I would replace, "Rust Never Sleeps" with the double album "Live Rust". "Stop Making Sense" is better, but I still have a soft spot for the double "The Name of This Band is Talking Heads".

[@kevinetheridge7201]

Live albums always disappoint me , there’s obviously exceptions to that rule, off the top of my head The Doors Absolutely is incredible, because of the crowd noise and talking included, also the tracks take on a whole different sound.

[@duncandavies1966]

Queen's Live Killers is great. And I must have worn the grooves away of my copy of The Song Remains The Same in my teens.

[@jeffball6656]

I loved The Song Remains The Same.
That said, from what I’ve read, there was a lot of “fixing it in the mix” on that one.

[@sunshipcpt3869]

Jimi Hendrix- Band of Gypsies
Cream - Wheels of fire
Weather Report - 8:30
Keith Jarrett - Köln Concert
Miles Davis - Cellar Door
BB King - Live at the Regal
Coltrane- Village Vanguard

[@morgolus4413]

Live jazz and fusion albums are almost always better than the studio versions. Where with rock and pop its pretty much the opposite. No studio tricks (or secret session players) on jazz albums...

[@brainofthefrain]

Another cracking video John. I'd love to see you do a desert island discs video!

[@PeKe999]

Hi
Some live albums are really satisfying.
Wings Over America by Wings,
Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out by The Sones and Made In Japan by Deep Purple are some examples.
At least in my humble opinion.
Take care.

[@MIB_63]

I agree.

[@erniericardo8140]

That would be my exact list, except I would add The Who Live At Leeds.

[@andrewmills509]

@@erniericardo8140 or the Who live at Hull

[@steveparker6820]

The Kinks "One for the Road" gives you nearly everything you want from the Kinks from the 60s and 70s....great album.

[@dwaynewladyka577]

Thanks for sharing this. Quite comprehensive. I'll share some of my favorite live albums from the 1970s, and from other time periods.
My top three favorite live albums from the 1970s are Procol Harum Live In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Frampton Comes Alive, by Peter Frampton, and Cheap Trick At Budokan.
Other great live albums from the 1970s that I like are The Allman Brothers Band Live At The Fillmore East, Welcome To The Canteen, by Traffic, and One More From The Road, by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
As for Eric Clapton, there are numerous live albums of his that I like. Sonny Boy Williamson and The Yardbirds, Five Live Yardbirds, Cream, Wheels Of Fire, with the live album part, the live version of 461 Ocean Boulevard, Just One Night, and Unplugged.
Cheers, John! 👍🏻👍🏻✌️

[@neilsteadman8380]

Seconds Out is a Gem John.

[@stefanjonsson699]

I think you are quite right about almost all the albums. But... alchemy is a moment of pure perfection from Dire Straits. Way before all live Dire Straits songs had 7 endings.

[@jaygohel1657]

Nice selections John !
Lynyrd Skynyrd 'one more from the road' is another cracking album

[@dwaynewladyka577]

If you haven't done so, you should listen to Procol Harum Live In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. It was recorded live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on November 18, 1971, and was released in 1972. It has an amazing version of Conquistador on it. Dave Ball is on guitar here, and he replaced Robin Trower, who left the band for a great solo career, after Broken Barricades was recorded and released in 1971. It is a great live album. The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Da Camera Singers compliment the band really well. Cheers, John! ✌️

[@cherrycarter8442]

my top 3 live haven't changed in 40 years, Thin Lizzy - live and dangerous, UFO - strangers in the night, Lynyrd Skynryd - one more from the road. thanks John

[@donschuy]

Elton John's 17-11-70 is superb.

[@demonsbutterfly]

“Roxy & Elsewhere” Frank Zappa. An absolute killer Live Album
“The Brussel’s Affair” Stones’73 Tour superb

[@andybergey]

Great topic! Well done! Here's s few I recommend:
10cc - Live And Let Live
Cheap Trick - At Budokan
Paul McCartney - Unplugged
Live Stiffs (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, etc.)
Drums and Wireless- BBC Live (BBC "live" recordings is a stretch but this is excellent!)

[@rdorman71]

Cheers, John. I always find it hilarious that George Harrison couldn't stand Neil Young's guitar shredding, particularly on the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary '92 Concert. Also, I love George's Live In Japan album - some lovely emotive performances with Eric. Zeppelin's TSRTS too is a hefty slice of 70s ROCK. Love the movie. The Who's Live At Leeds is monumental, the energy raw & phenomenal ❤

[@reliablebow]

George didn’t get Neil. George wasn’t exactly bringing the juice that day. Love George of course, but I know there are those who think the Beatles weren’t all that. Different strokes. Neil ripped it great at Bobfest😎

[@Pauls_Archive]

@@reliablebowNever trust anyone who thinks that about the Beatles, that’s my general opinion

[@reliablebow]

@@Pauls_Archive The Beatles are The Best.

[@ronfowlermusic]

The Concert for Bangladesh, Wings Over America, Before the Flood, The Beach Boys In Concert, One For the Road

[@matm4331]

Thanks John, interesting topic. I guess after a successful tour, it's pretty easy money putting out a live album...My two nominees would be The Kinks - One for the Road, where they reprove what a great rock band they were, and Led Zeppelin - Celebration Day which I listen to often wishing the reformation would have toured or even recorded (One can fantasize). Honorable mention to Rush - Exit Stage Left.

[@aidanlynn]

Deep Purple’s Made in Japan is top tier. Black Sabbath’s recent remix of Live Evil is fantastic.

[@ashleywood1628]

Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac Live At The Boston Tea Party 1970 Volumes 1 - 3. Astonishing guitar work from Green who was also a gifted songwriter and singer. Everything on it is better than the studio versions and there are no overdubs.
The extended Rattlesnake Shake, Green Manalishi and Oh Well are as good as it gets and Green's rendition of Duster Bennett's "Jumping At Shadows" is a stunner. There are also several other numbers they never recorded in a studio. Danny Kirwan offers up some very tasty playing as well. I rate it higher than Allman Brothers Fillmore, Who Live At Leeds or Stones Ya Yah's. It is that good and it seems like no-one's heard of it which is a shame. Almost every live tape of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac is killer, especially from mid 1969 up to mid 1970 when Peter left.

[@MikeVernonProd]

One live album that I think really improved on the studio counter part is “Pack Up the Plantation” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was released in 1985 after their album “Southern Accents” and I think it is a much better record, featuring a lot more energy to the songs, especially on tracks like “Rebels” and “It Ain’t Nothin’ To Me”

[@TheAnarchitek]

The version of Going Home Theme, on Alchemy, is the best recorded version. David Bowie's version of Space Oddity, on David Live, is a keeper, too. Also, Paul Simon's live version of American Tune stands out on Live Rhymin'. The Stones put out the first modern, rock (really bad) live album, Got Live if you Want It. As bad as it is, that LP, too, has a gem: The version of Fortune Teller has more punch than the studio version released on Hot Rocks! Such would be the case of "live" recordings, often tepid, seldom matching the "live" experience, but sometimes filling in a vital area in an artist's catalogue.
The Best Live Albums were recorded by Paul McCartney & Wings, Wings Across America, a stunning 3-disc set that captures the creative genius in full flower, and the Allman Brothers Band, who released the definitive Live at Fillmore East only shortly before the death of Duane Allman. The set is a powerful statement by a band that could have been so much more. Leon Russell's spur-of-the-moment aggregation in support of Joe Cocker produced the magnificent Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour, documented by one of the best "missing" rock 'n' roll tour movies, and a stellar album.
Then, there are the Live at Winterland LPs, titles of two great collections, by artists who would die within weeks of one another, in 1970. Live at Winterland '68 presents Big Brother and the Holding Company at their peak, with Janis Joplin in full command of her awesome pipes. Live at Winterland, the six-disc set, offers a posthumous compilation of Jimi Hendrix at is unmatchable finest, providing fans with an immersive "experience", from an artist at the start of his storied career.
These are the albums that stood the test of time, and still offer listeners an invaluable insight into artists now long past their prime, in most cases, and no longer with us, in too many. The Top 40 live albums, in order of significance:
Best of Live Albums - the Top 40
01 W I N G S O V E R A M E R I C A (1976)
Paul McCartney & Wings
02 L I V E A T F I L L M O R E E A S T (1971)
the Allman Brothers Band
03 M A D D O G S A N D E N G L I S H M E N (1971)
Joe Cocker
04 L I V E R U S T (1979)
Neil Young
05 L I V E A T W I N T E R L A N D [1968] (6 CD Set) (1987)
Jimi Hendrix Experience
06 L I V E A T L E E D S (1970)
the Who
07 L I V E R H Y M I N ' (1974)
Paul Simon
08 W A I T I N G F O R C O L U M B U S (1978)
Little Feat
09 L I V E A T W I N T E R L A N D ' 6 8 (1998)
Big Brother & the Holding Company
10 S T O P M A K I N G S E N S E (1984)
Talking Heads
11 U N D E R A B L O O D R E D S K Y (1983)
U2
12 L I V E A T C A R N E G I E H A L L (3 CD Set) (1976)
Renaissance
13 P E R F O R M A N C E (4 CD Set) (1971)
Humble Pie
14 E U R O P E ' 7 2 (1972)
the Grateful Dead
15 J I M I P L A Y S M O N T E R E Y [1967] (1986)
Jimi Hendrix Experience
16 L I V E A T T H E A P O L L O (1962)
James Brown
17 M T V U N P L U G G E D I N N E W Y O R K (1994)
Nirvana
18 G E T Y O U R Y A - Y A 'S O U T (1970)
the Rolling Stones
19 L I V E B U L L E T (1976)
Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
20 P U L S E (1995)
Pink Floyd
21 H O W T H E W E S T W A S W O N [1972] (2003)
Led Zeppelin
22 F R A M P T O N C O M E S A L I V E (1976)
Peter Frampton
23 T H E L A S T W A L T Z (1978)
the Band
24 S T R A N G E R S I N T H E N I G H T (1979)
UFO
25 A T B U D O K A N (1978)
Cheap Trick
26 L I V E (1971)
Johnny Winter And
27 M Y F E E T A R E S M I L I N G (1973)
Leo Kottke
28 L I V E / D E A D (1969)
the Grateful Dead
29 R O C K O F A G E S (1978)
the Band
30 T H E T U R N I N G P O I N T (1969)
John Mayall
31 M A D E I N J A P A N (1972)
Deep Purple
32 M I L E S O F A I S L E S (1974)
Joni Mitchell
33 B O B D Y L A N L I V E 1 9 6 6 :
T H E R O Y A L A L B E R T H A L L C O N C E R T (1998)
Bob Dylan
34 L I V E ! (1975)
Bob Marley & the Wailers
35 E X IT . . . S T A G E L E F T (1981)
Rush
36 A T F O L S O M P R I S O N (1968)
Johnny Cash
37 L I V E A N D D A N G E R O U S (1978)
Thin Lizzy
38 L I V E A T T H E R E G A L (1965)
BB King
39 N E W Y E A R ' S E V E 1 9 9 5 -
L I V E A T M A D I S O N S Q U A R E G A R D E N (2005)
Phish
40 L I V E / 1 9 7 5 - 85 (1986)
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
©BW2023 03/07/2024
anarchitek™

[@2kmetalhead]

Good list, John. The live albums that I love are usually superior to the studio versions. Here is my top 5:
Blue Oyster Cult - On Your Feet, Or On Your Knees
Grand Funk - Live Album
UFO - Strangers in the Night
Rush - All the World’s a Stage
KISS - Alive
Love your channel.

[@derekclacton]

Eric Clapton ‘Just One Night’ - different versions of the studio tracks - perfectly recorded and brilliantly performed. All live - no fixes.
Thin Lizzy ‘Live And Dangerous’ - definitive versions of the studio tracks - great recordings and stellar performances of several shows. Plus one soundcheck recording. Some studio tweaks.
Free Live! Different shows - raw and with different versions of the studio tracks. Audience overdubs.
UFO ‘Strangers In The Night’ - definitive versions of the studio tracks - great recordings of several shows. Plus two live studio recordings.
Something apparent here - blues acts have an emphasis on improvisation live, which can produce something magical that may have been missing in the studio. If we’re lucky, it’s captured for prosperity on tape. Hard rock acts will stay close to the studio versions but the stage setting can capture their energy better than the confines of a studio. Ultimately, live performances are never perfect from start to finish and post gig tweaks can fully reflect the live atmosphere and show the performers at their best.
Although the UFO and Lizzy live album tracks are usually definitive, I’ve grown to appreciate the originals more over the years and often prefer to listen to the studio albums now :)

[@simonandrewx]

Bruce 75-85 is definitive. Nirvana MTV Unplugged
Queen live at Wembley
Oasis Barrowlands
Billy Joel at Carnegie Hall
Concert for George is awesome.
Elbow seldom seen kid live at Abbey Road
Elton with Melbourne SO. It's literally the last notes he sings before everything changes for him.

[@christopher9152]

You are dead on about Nirvana. I forgot that one!

[@simonbarnes8303]

Generally I don't like live albums but I did like Japan's Oil on Canvas because of the addition of a couple of tracks not available elsewhere and also because they "overdubbed" their mistakes in the studio making it sound like a studio recording. Nightporter is really good.
I also liked Kate Bush's Before the Dawn as I couldn't make that show and it was such an event. Lastly Gary Numan releases almost every tour he does on record but the one I liked was called When the Sky Came Down as he was backed by The Skaparis Orchestra which made many of the songs into different versions.

[@theintelligentsceptic]

'Frampton Comes Alive' is the best live album I've heard. Opposite to Steely Dan, Frampton disliked the studio and preferred live performance. Lou Reed's performance of 'New York' is excellent, as is Neil Young's 'Tonight's The Night'. Cliff Richard's first album from 1959, 'Cliff', was recorded live in EMI's London studio in front of a teenage audience. The result is magnificent.

[@RonaldBrown59]

My two favorite live albums growing up in the 1970's were Frampton Comes Alive and Winds Over America. And I believe these records came out within a year of each other. Both these albums contain superior versions of songs that were released on the studio albums. Great video John, thanks for sharing.

[@grimtraveller7923]

The way it works for me in the main, is that whichever version of a song I've heard first, that tends to be the one that winds its way into my affections forever. There are one or two exceptions where I really like both the studio and live version {eg, Motorhead's "Bomber"} and they're on a par with each other but it's as rare as hen's teeth for me to like the version I've heard second more. It did happen with the "Jailbreak" songs by Thin Lizzy which I liked before I heard "Live and Dangerous" yet I like the Live and Dangerous versions better, even though they're kind of fake. That hasn't often happened to me though. Actually, maybe saying I like them more is an exaggeration. I think it's more a case that I like them just as much but "Live and Dangerous" has a load of songs that I couldn't be bothered to hunt down because as much as I like Lizzy, I'm not precious about their entire catalogue so "Live and Dangerous" gets good versions of the Jailbreak songs plus others. Interestingly, I don't like any of its "Johnny the Fox" tracks.
Mahavishnu Orchestra's LP "Between Nothingness and Eternity" is, in my opinion, sensational. I loved those songs for about 19 years before I heard the studio versions that came out on "The Lost Trident sessions." And the Trident lot never stood a chance.
I really like Genesis' "Seconds Out." I think it's a tremendous album and I've dug it for 28 years. But I don't have any of the albums that it's songs came from. Those live versions will do me.
I could replicate that across the board. Status Quo live is one of the best live albums I've heard. No overdubbing or fixing up, Francis Rossi called it "rough [or raw, I can't recall] as a badger's arse" which I thought was funny. It's a great album but because I already had 3 songs from the "On the Level" album, the live versions sound really timid to me, even though I love the album.
The Rolling Stones have long driven me nuts live. It's ironic that when one thinks of the differences between their albums and those of the Beatles in the 60s, the general wisdom is that the Stones were thought of as more of a live act so it didn't matter that their albums weren't as strong. But live, I have always found them irritating. They were no great shakes when I saw them in '82 at Wembley in the rain and the way they do their songs on their live albums or concert films going all the way back to the 60s has long been a con. They speed them up and Mick, for such a great vocalist, rarely hits the notes or represents the melodies. It's so annoying. I want my money back ! 😆

[@onsenkuma1979]

I don't usually care for live albums (many or most of which are doctored in the studio after the fact anyway). Some that I think are quite good:
VAN MORRISON: It's Too Late to Stop Now
HUMBLE PIE: Performance: Rockin' The Fillmore
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE: Bless it's Pointed Little Head
HAWKWIND: Space Ritual
TEN YEARS AFTER: Undad
JONI MITCHELL: Shadows and Light
GENESIS: Seconds Out
GRATEFUL DEAD: Fillmore '69
JETHRO TULL: Carnegie Hall '70
KEITH JARRETT: Bremen-Lausanne

[@davidleinweber]

If you like plain old good-time rock and roll, played by a straight ahead band, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band “Live Bullet” is one of the best live albums ever.

[@StephenMerchant-up8sg]

I can remember the anticipation and the deflation on hearing 'Yessongs' live double in '72. For example out of all the Bill Bruford solos they had to pick that one! Perhaps they've remixed it since, hope so but I'm not paying to find out.

[@keithfarrelly3869]

801 Live, Eno Manzanera... Excellent imho

[@chopayrussell9660]

Jethro Tull "Bursting Out"
FOGHAT "LIVE", single disc
Eric Clapton "Twenty Four Nights"
Pink Floyd " Delicate Sound of
Thunder"
RUSH "Exit...Stage Left"
Lynyrd Skynyrd "One More From the
Road"
Little Feat " Waiting for Columbus"
Bob Seger "Live Bullet"
YES "YES SONGS"
And for something different...
Zappa "Guitar" instrumental

[@recordrabbit]

I've never been much into live albums either. Simon & Garfunkel's "The Concert In Central Park" is the only one I remember listening to regularly and it really functioned as a "greatest hits" since I didn't have all their regular albums. I do enjoy watching live video sometimes.

[@OhJonahII]

I highly recommend Paul Simon's Concert in the Park, recorded in 1991 and officially released on video, as well as CD, etc. In many cases I like those live versions of the songs even more than their studio counterparts, especially the Rhythm of the Saints material.

[@mickdarcy3063]

I am a so-so fan of Genesis but Seconds Out is one of my favorite albums, in general. I especially love the version of Carpet Crawler on the album. 801 Live, from Eno/Manzanera is another album i love, live or not. I recommend both!

[@russellcampbell3274]

Largely agree with you, John. Very few live albums add anything to the studio recordings. Here are some exceptions, in my opinion.
John Stewart, "The Phoenix Concerts - Live." This album came out 50 years ago and on its 50th anniversary is being recreated live in Phoenix. Only 3 of the original musicians are still alive. I think they are all taking part.
Rory Gallagher, "Live in Europe."
Warren Zevon, "Learning to Flinch."
Tom Waits, "Nighthawks at the Diner." - An oddity as it consists of totally new tracks, none of which have ever been recorded in a studio.

[@markalexander6501]

Nice Video John and I generally agree with the direction you have taken. Took the words right out of my mouth commenting on Wings Over America. In fact, I had a taped copy of WoA and played it for a good couple of years before I actually purchased Venus and Mars and was naturally disappointed in the, shall we say, limpness of the studio versions.
One you didn't mention and perhaps you should check out is Van Morrison's "It's too late to stop now" from 1974...

[@ledzeplover58]

Thin Lizzy-Live And Dangerous
UFO-Strangers In The Night
Sensational Alex Harvey Band-Live
Blue Oyster Cult-On Your Feet Or On Your Knees
Led Zeppelin-The Song Remains The Same
Scorpions-Tokyo Tapes
Yes-Yessongs
Kiss-Alive!
Uriah Heep-Live
Lou Reed-Rock n Roll Animal

[@DavyDredd14]

Muddy Waters - At Newport (1960)
Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsies (1970)
Rolling Stones - Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out (1970)
David Bowie - David Live (1974)
AC/DC - If You Want Blood (1978)
Motorhead - No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (1981)

[@roywatson8133]

live albums are just a studio song played live and are just a cash in i agree with everything you have said john

[@christopher9152]

Usually, which means they aren't as good. But the live albums of bands who improvised a lot, did radically different versions of their studio songs in concert, or played songs live that were never recorded in the studio, such as The Doors or the Grateful Dead, are well worth checking out.

[@makara80]

Personally speaking, live albums aren’t an automatic purchase for me, not least because I consider many of those I own to be underwhelming.
There are exceptions however and one that springs instantly to mind is the superlative ‘From Here to Eternity’ by _The Clash_ . So good is it in fact that a fair few live versions of their best songs are arguably superior to their studio counterparts. ‘White Man in Hammersmith Palais’ in particular blows the original out of the water!

[@edwardmulholland7912]

I didn’t like live albums when I was younger and I do think that most live albums do sound very “corporate record company” exercises. My favorite live recordings are often bootlegs that I’ve either bought or downloaded from torrents - many of which end up being officially released.
In no particular order, here are a few of my favorite live albums.
1. Van Morrison “It’s too late to stop now”
2. Donny Hathaway “Live”
3. Bob Dylan “Live 66” in Manchester.
4. Neil Young & Crazy Horse “Way Down in the Rust Bucket”
5. Rolling Stones “Get your Ja Ja’s out”
6. The Velvet Underground “Live 1969”
7. The Who “Live at Hull”
8. Funkadelic “Live: Meadowbrook, Rochester, Michigan - 12th September 1971”
9. Led Zeppelin “How the west was won”
10. Neil Young “Massey Hall 1971”
I love live bootlegs, which are often better than most official releases. The one that springs to my mind right now is Neil Young & Crazy Horse live in Japan 1976-03-04
Festival Hall, Osaka.
I love live music more now than I did 30 years ago.
You’re of course correct - it’s all about personal taste.
I’d be very interested to know what your favorite bootlegs are - both live and in the studio.

[@wigimonster8909]

Live Nassau Coliseum '76
by David Bowie

[@thejoin4687]

Nassau, definitely. Also I'd pick Welcome To The Blackout over Stage. Then you have two sublime versions of Station To Station.

[@yrlic]

Hi, from TX -
Paul’s Amoeba Gig is stellar - a great late Macca live collection.
Good stuff John !

[@dutchcanuck7550]

Mine are similar to yours, except I really love the Traffic live album. Someone else mentioned Procol Harum already, so I'll go with What Do You Want From Live by the Tubes. Absolutely fantastic. First rate performances, and White Punks On Dope is epic, definitely surpasses the studio version.

[@grantsclassicsongs8122]

Certainly check out Queen Live Killers. A great record capturing them at their pre 80's best. Also, Elton John Live In Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Some amazing renditions of some early songs. You may not be into Cheap Trick but Cheap Trick at Budokan is also superb.

[@bwpm1467]

Queen's Live Killers is one of the most heavily edited 'live' albums of all time.

[@jasonhoffer9017]

David Bowie's Reality Tour live is a must in my opinion

[@randytaylor220]

I’m surprised you never checked out Frampton Comes Alive. That’s a staple live album. Go to it!!
“Lines on my face” is the best live song ever.

[@christopher9152]

Right. The man owes his enormous fame and most of his career to it, if we're honest; it was a great album, and one of the most commercially successful of the 70s. Maybe because Frampton was bigger in the States than the UK, it is off John's radar? John seems to only really enthusiastically follow a handful of American artists like Dylan, Simon, etc., and a few "Big in the States" Canadians like Neil Young.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Hi John. Live and Dangerous is an amazing live album by Thin Lizzy.

[@roywatson8133]

but some of it was touched up in the studio

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Often happened with live albums.

[@daytripper9222]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Paul McCartney and Wings live in Glasgow 79. I know it wasn't a legitimate release but still sounds really good.

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

Absolutely brilliant. I love hearing him singing Coming Up for the first time. And the live tracks from BTTE.

[@daytripper9222]

​@@triplejazzmusicisall1883Same here. It's definitely one of my favorite live albums. I also have the very last Wings concert that sounds pretty good.

[@daytripper9222]

I agree. It's such a great CD. I also have the very last concert they did in 79 that sounds really good .

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

Is that the one called Last Flight? Love Paul's vocals at this juncture as it had a bit of edge and he could belt out with that unique caombination of raspiness yet still sounding effortless rocking and clear.. @@daytripper9222

[@TomCwimpRock]

I share your opinion on live albums in general and I agree overall with your comments on the recordings you’ve mentioned, although I’’ve always really liked the “El Mocambo” side three of The Rolling Stones “Love You Live”. The two live albums for me that really stand out are the double album, “1969 Velvet Underground Live”, and Sam Cooke’s “Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963”. Nice video John.

[@Wayner71]

Although you don't like it, I have always appreciated Bowie's 'David Live' from 1974. The fact that he arranged and adapted every song to suit his current style is what makes this double album stand out for me. The inclusion of David Sanborn on alto-sax is a real pleasure. Cheers.

[@manolokonosko2868]

Chicago Live At Carnegie Hall will certainly put anyone to sleep. Many cheap pristine copies for sale everywhere.

[@lfbl7166]

“Seconds Out” is fantastic, I’ve listen more to it than many of their studio albums. Same goes for “Live and Dangerous “ and also “Bursting Out “ by Jethro Tull. Live Killers by Queen is ok but I hardly ever go to it because the studio albums are so much brtter

[@Digibeatle09]

V. good video. One factor that I think - "potentially" - makes a live album "special" is the ability and willingness of the musicians concerned to improvise. My understanding is that the Eagles - at least in recent years - are really just content to replicate, very closely, the studio versions (and, accordingly, I'm not sure their record company place great emphasis on pushing too hard live albums culled from those performances). Somewhere, though, I did hear a live, "extended" version of the song, "Hotel California" - with - naturally enough - every last drop being wrung from the wonderful guitar parts. Of course - with some more recent bands - improvisation doesn't really arise - as just performing something resembling the studio version puts the band members to the "pin of their collars" 😂 !!!

[@klaushintler8981]

thanks for the video. I recommend traffic "welcome to the canteen"

[@anorak211]

Best live albums are Seconds Out by Genesis, and Made In Japan by Deep Purple.

[@thumbsaloft]

LIVE MUSIC is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE so live albums satisfy me every time I listen to them!
WINGS OVER AMERICA/EUROPE and THE RECENT BEATLES LIVE AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL get played regularly. Now if McCartney would just OFFICIALLY RELEASE something from Wing's last tour. I also can't believe that the Beatles at THE WASHINGTON COLISEUM hasn't been released on an OFFICIAL BLU-RAY/4K?! The BeatlesFIRST HISTORIC CONCERT IN AMERICA and it's not on BLU-RAY?!

[@christenuta3743]

I like Elton John's "Live in Australia"

[@willswalkingwest7267]

I got Wings Over America for Christmas back when it came out. I think I still have my vinyl copies. Before I got the album, our local radio station simulcast Wings playing the LA Forum.
As a diehard Beatles fan and Wings fan, I was sooooo upset at how bad they sounded in the live concert from LA. I recorded it on 8 track. There was soooo much time in between songs where all you heard was Linda going, "Woooooooooooooohoooooooo".
I think only part of that 8 track still exists today, my brother has it.
ANYWAY, when the Wings Over America album came out I was shocked at how well it sounded. Nothing like the concert I recorded.
Decades later, after Linda passed, I sat in a bookstore and read where Paul had gone into the studio to make overdubs and re-records of vocals and guitars. In other words, Wings Over America was as much of a studio album as it was a live album.
A few years after the album came out and VHS tapes were a thing, I got a girl at a local video store to order me "Rockshow".
I loved that tape but even there, much of the soundtrack was done in a studio and overdubbed to the film.
I love live music. I've been to great shows, I've seen McCartney live back around 1990. He was great.
I've seen Pink Floyd live at Earl's Court circa 1981 doing the Wall. My memories of it were amazing then I saw the film that was done there and suddenly that whole Mandela effect thing came to mind.
I saw ELO back in the 70's doing the Out of the Blue thing with the flying saucer and all.
I've seen so many live shows.
But live albums fall short for me. Nearly every time. And knowing what goes into them to make them palatable only makes them less desireable for me.
I'll stick to studio albums and live shows for the live experience.

[@graniterhythm53]

Denny Laine always said the WOA album was only'fixed' in small areas, so mostly as captured live. Radio broadcast back in the '70's was shocking for quality sound!

[@ronfowlermusic]

@@graniterhythm53 I believe that's true. I've heard enough boots of Wings shows to know they were very good live - but performing live and recording in a studio are two different things, especially when live is in a huge arena or stadium. The early Wings (Henry and Denny S.) were sometimes a bit ragged, they hadn't been together very long, but the 75-76 lineup was kickin'!

[@candelise]

@@graniterhythm53 It amazes me that if a musician has bad sound then he or she is criticized as being lousy. A player could be doing wonderful things but if the sound is lousy don't blame the muscian.

[@johndowling5850]

Here's my favourite live albums, in no order. The Dance - Fleetwood Mac (especially I'm so afraid). One for the road - the Kinks. Pulse - Pink Floyd. The Beatles at the Star Club. The latter is truly awful in sound quality on record but some people have done a good job to improve it on RUclips. It's still a bit rough but it shows the Beatles at their energetic best before they were put in suits. Pulse gets a fair amount of criticism but i think the sound quality is very good and has my favourite versions of High Hopes and Comfortably Numb.

[@staggerlee6794]

I am not a fan of recorded live music unless there is a visual aspect but I love Bowie's 'David Live' and 'Stage' However, my favourite live album is Thin Lizzy's 'Live And Dangerous'

[@alimcmurray3428]

Some favourites of mine also include Aretha Franklin's 'Aretha in Paris' and 'Live at Fillmore West', the Beatles' BBC albums, Bob Dylan's 'Before the Flood', Cream's two 'Live' albums, Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'At the Royal Albert Hall', Frank Sinatra's 'At the Sands', The Rolling Stones' 'Rock n Roll Circus' and Yes' 'Yessongs'. The live bonus tracks on the recent 'Goats Head Soup' reissue are all brilliant too.

[@stuartshire]

I think the Hollywood Bowl albums (both ) are superb . I also think the alchemy live stuff blows the Dire Straits studio stuff away ! Sultans Of Swing being a prime example .

[@PR-fo5mj]

Genesis - "Seconds Out" might be worth a listen for you - I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on it.

[@NicholasSadlier]

You should listen to / watch Jeff Lynne's ELO live at Wembley stadium (2017) - 'Wembley or Bust.' The sound production is pretty impeccable with most of the biggest hits reproduced live in all their glory for the first time. The ELO live album from 1978 (not released until the 90s) was absolutely terrible but was down to the sound reproduction of the album - not the band as such. It was basically copied from the original VHS video of the same concert which introduced all sorts of ridiculous overdubs that masked the actual sound of the band playing live. It should never have been released, it is so diabolical! As for Queen Live Killers, I'd say that's possibly the quintessential truly great live album - you need to hear it!

[@sunshinecoolwater9528]

Live albums are mostly stop-gap releases on recording contracts. I wont purchase any, unless its a high quality bootleg. I'm just not in the mood for overdubs of guitar solos and canned audience screams.

[@Beatles4Sale.]

Would like to see you do a best of video live version! I do know some of the vinyl albums also have superb live video versions such as S&G in Central Park, the Rolling Thunder Revue, and Wings over America (Seattle).
I do agree how live versions get modified. Remember hearing this about both Shea Stadium and Wings Over America.

[@christopher9152]

The only American artists you ever mention or seem to really like are Simon, Dylan, and (post-Velvets?) Reed. Growing up (or since), did you not listen to artists like the Beach Boys, the Doors, the San Fransisco psychedelic sixties bands, Love, Canned Heat, the Byrds, the Allman Brothers, the Band, the Stooges, Jimi Hendrix, MC5, the early New York punk/new wave bands (Blondie, Talking Heads, Television), Parliament Funkadelic, REM, and so on? Though most of my favorite rock artists of the 60s-80s are British, beginning but far from ending with the Beatles, there is a world of great pop and rock on the other side of the Atlantic, too, John.

[@Belabartok-lt8pv]

Ufo:strangers in the night .pmc:live at the cavern - great band.the knack live at Carnegie Hall buddy holly covers scary good.queen Hungarian rhaosody this was their best live recorded performance!

[@johnmurphy9385]

Bob Dylan, Bootleg Series, Volume 4: Live 1966
Elvis Presley, Live 1969
The Velvet Underground, 1969 Live
The Allman Brothers Band, Live at Fillmore East
The Grateful Dead, Europe '72
Townes Van Zandt, Live at The Old Quarter

[@RickM01]

I honestly don't really listen to live albums anymore. Wings Over America, I listened to as a staple Paul McCartney/Wings record along with London Town as a teen. I really listened to Live/Dead (1969) by the Grateful Dead with definitive versions of St. Stephen and Dark Star. I would highly recommend Skull and Roses (1971) by the Grateful Dead - both are top tier. Skull and Roses has definitive versions of Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Wharf Rat, Johnny B. Goode, among others. Also Grateful Dead - Europe '72 has definitive versions of Jack Straw, Brown Eyed Women, Ramble On Rose, China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider among others. Reckoning is an awesome acoustic set from 1980 where the band was working out their newish pianist/keyboardist Brent Mydland. Only Phil Lesh played his electric bass on Reckoning. There are so many excellent folk songs on this record. As you can see, the Grateful Dead pretty much defined itself as a live entity. So that's who I'd recommend you listen to live for sure. I know you probably shrug the Grateful Dead off but they're a great blend of all types of roots music (bluegrass, country, jazz, folk, blues, etc.), better than any jam band out there. The Grateful Dead aren't necessarily a jam band in all cases. The songs are carefully crafted and tell stories. So try Live/Dead, Skull and Roses, Europe '72, and Reckoning. Both Bob Dylan and Tom Petty have toured with the Grateful Dead so you know they are/were fans. Watch the Dead Ahead DVD. Also watch The Grateful Dead Movie and get ready to be transported to Grateful Dead land.
Babylon By Bus - Bob Marley and the Wailers is so freaking classic. Best summertime record to blast at a party for sure!
If you can stand a bit of shrieking, the Doors - Live at the Bowl '68 is a pretty tight show if you can believe it. The End is massively awesome. I think I grew up listening to The Doors - Absolutely Live which is panned by the critics for having a dull and disinterested Jim Morrison. I disagree. A lot of it sounds improvised. It's a weird record. I like the non hits Love Hides and Universal Mind and even Celebration of the Lizard from that record. You have to be in a poetry mood for it.
I also think Little Feat - Waiting for Columbus is a rocking record to blast at a party. Lowell George in peak form as is the rest of the band. Top notch for sure!!
John, now look at all the recommendations you have from everyone who's watched your video!!! Isn't that great?!!! I think you have lots of fans here, man!!!! Kudos to John Heaton fans!!!!

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

I also love concert for George great album

[@marshallhughes4514]

Well I am late to the party. Live albums I would recommend:
1) Bruce Springsteen - Hammersmith Odeon '75 - this was his first trip over the pond (a new sensation in the US) and the crowd may have been a little too quiet trying to see who this guy was but the result is a fantastic concert. Springsteen's live versions of Lost in The Flood and For You are magical and incredibly personal on this record. In contrast the live versions of Jungleland and Rosalita transcend the non live versions.
2) Queen Live Killers - I love this one but I don't know if you like Queen as you mentioned you didn't bother to listen to this one. My older brother got to see this tour and it sounds terrific. I think there are a couple of sing a longs so maybe you wouldn't like this? (I'm in Love With My Car, '39, Now I'm Here and Don't Stop Me now are all superior to their non live versions IMHO.
3) Yes - Yessongs - a little bit excessive but I love this one. Great versions of Mood for a Day, Excerpts from the 6 Wives of Henry VII (Rick Wakeman) and I've Seen All Good People are fantastic here.
4) Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Live Rust - This is another great one from Neil Young & Crazy Horse. He does great versions of Needle and the Damage Done, Sugar Mountain, Cortez the Killer, and Comes a Time. I really like the way his voice sounds here. I still love Neil Young but this was a period before his voice got more shall we say ..... more "crackily?" His guitar work here is recorded well.
5) Jackson Browne - Running on Empty - A concert album about the monotony of going on tour. This one includes Rosie, You love the Thunder, Love Needs a Heart and The Load Out. This is just a kind of concept concert album and I love it.
Well there are a few for consideration. Keep up the good work.

[@davidkornblatt851]

Cheap Trick Live at Budakhan, the who live at Isle of wright, Black Sabbath Live Evil, Lou Reed Live and Rock and Roll Album. Velvet Underground 1969, Bob Dylan Live 1966, Neil Diamond Hot August Night, Humble Pie Rocking the Filmore

[@nazaholicable]

Personally, I was rather disappointed with Wings over America, and I feel the same over the much trumpeted Thin Lizzy live and dangerous release. 'Snaz by Nazareth has its moments, as does Live '77 by Golden Earring (Mad love's coming is worth the entrance fee/purchase). Frampton comes alive is well recorded , but weak in parts. So, thinking about it, the only 'live' album I go back to, and listen to from start to finish is 'Thank you and goodnight ' by It Bites.

[@backbay2242]

It's too late to stop now - Van Morrison
Blow your face out - J Geils

[@johncarlobellotti8611]

I enjoy your videos John. I find your narration- informative and unbiased in its description and content. LIVE is always interesting (as you say not always good ) the thing is do we discount the validity of a live album if it is 1/ taken from multiple sources
2/ overdubbed
If the album stacks up musically or from an entertainment point of view is it any less valid than a single
Source concert with no overdubbing. Let’s be honest - so many albums have subtle overdubbing that we may not even be aware of.
Just thought I’d mention it for your thoughts. You mentioned Queen live killers - I think this is a great live album …. To me it sounds quite powerful and raw , YET - it was taken from literally tens of shows with little phrases from here and there and became a masterclass in editing , but they are all still live edits (if you know what I mean)

[@myles7522]

Great video as usual. I’m not a lover of live albums and yet I have seven live albums in my collection. Each time buying such albums I thought this one will be better than the last one. Sadly, these seven albums have only been played the once.

[@GeoffParsons1469]

Hi John, You mentioned Bowie, I really like the Live at Glastonbury set. Thanks.

[@AndrewBrooks]

Just for the historic value, Beatles live at the starclub

[@bassmanjez3842]

I remember when saw Wings in 1975 during the UK tour and was blow away how much better Wings were live and how much more gritty and 'Rock' they were compared to the polished and finely produced albums. Particularly Jimmy McCulloch was brilliant yet looked so effortless.

[@SimonPetryszyn]

Good show. Ian Hunter’s Live Welcome to the Club is brilliant

[@youngmeldrew]

With you on that. Mick Robson in the band as I recall. Great album

[@SimonPetryszyn]

@@youngmeldrew 👍