I was a music collector as a kid, at a time when music was all about vinyl. The beauty of it was the real sense of experimentation – when you would take a chance on a record and strike gold. I found the Ramones that way, picking up their debut album in the ‘70s because the cover just grabbed me. It was so simple and straight-forward.
But nothing could top a live album. When a band you were into put out a live album it gave you a chance to hear them raw, out of the studio and unfiltered, or at least relatively so. The stage was where musicians couldn’t hide.
The thing is that the issue of live albums came up recently during a discussion with a colleague, who had spent the weekend rediscovering Live at Leeds. It sparked a debate about the greatest rock live albums of all time.
As with anything it’s clearly subjective. But we bounced around a few ideas, and it prompted me to take it to the blog.
So, here’s my list of the top 10 of all time, in no particular order:
Allman Brothers At the Fillmore East
Humble Pie Rockin’ the Fillmore
Rolling Stones Get Yer Yas Yas Out
Derek and the Dominoes At The Fillmore
J. Geils Band Blow Your Face Out
The last two are clearly homer picks. I loved Geils’ stage shows before their “Centerfold” pop phase. That album captures the energy of what was an amazing blues-R&B band. And as anyone who has read my posts here knows, I loved Thin Lizzy since I was a kid, so this remains one of my favorite rock live albums.
Of course, there’s more to live albums than just rock. So, I have a few others on my must-have list. I put them on a separate list because they’re not rock albums per se. But they’re awesome recordings.
Here’s my top five non-rock live albums:
James Brown Live at the Apollo
Sam Cooke at the Harlem Square Club
Jerry Lee Lewis Live at the Star Club Hamburg
So, what’s your list look like?
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6 Comments
Rush, Exit Stage Left, is killer. Clapton’s 24 Nights, though relatively recent compared to some of the above, is outstanding. And to really tilt things toward the heavy metal side, Iron Maiden’s Live After Death is fairly epic. Live albums are tough. Sometimes the sound just isn’t great. But when it works, they can be even better than a studio album and a greatest hits collection combined.
Oh yeah, Rainbow’s Finyl Vinyl gets my honorable mention.
I hear you, Brian. I could list 50, so it wasn’t always an easy edit. But, as you see from the titles I posted, I probably tend to go farther back for my favorites.
For instance, I’d pick “All The World’s A Stage” for my Rush live pick, and “Rainbow On Stage” for my Rainbow pick. That was with Ronnie James Dio as front man.
And, for my taste, “24 Nights” was a bit too polished for me. I always preferred the earlier Clapton work, whether it be Cream or Derek and the Dominoes. Less flash and a more bluesy guitar sound than his more recent incarnations.
Just my two cents. But, of course, that’s what makes these discussions fun. Thanks for chipping in.
Definitely agree on the Made in Japan, for it’s time the recording is great along with the Talent and showmanship of Deep Purple. For those who have not heard it listen to the remastered version.
Mike;
Thanks for the feedback. I love Made In Japan. It includes the best version of “Highway Star” ever recorded. As a guitar nut I love focusing on what Blackmore is playing in those recordings. I think he is grossly underrated for his era. And I did pick up the remastered version, so thanks for noting it.
Question: I’m curious what your top ten list would look like. Will you share it? – Jfi/tzgibbon
Good list! I love going to see live bands but for whatever reason tend to bore quickly with live albums. One that you don’t hear too much about but I always liked was Traffic’s “Welcome to the Canteen”.
Scott;
Thanks for the feedback. You’re gonna have to burn that one for me. Loved Traffic but have to admit I have not heard them live. Sounds awesome. Maybe on Fab Faux night?
Thanks for reading