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?
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!
It’s on Spotify! I love this album and The Weakerthans! Such a great band, hope they come back one day!
Huh, turns out it’s on Apple Music too! Guess it’s not a technical answer after all!
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.
Can’t believe it hasn’t been said, Pink Floyd’s P.U.L S.E.
Had this on laser disc as a youth. Absolutely amazing video and audio presentation. https://youtu.be/HriYRoxWo1I
… Fuck I’m old
I’ve been looking for an HR copy of this and your telling me it’s just been sitting on YouTube? I’ve been using my old DVD
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.
The Allman Brothers Band At Fillmore East
Do yourselves a favour and find a good copy, put on your headphones or whatever, and enjoy.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_Fillmore_East
Now I will go listen to my copy and smile.
Thanks for making me think of this album.
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.
Two of my favorites that are relatively different (with Spotify links):
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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.
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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
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)
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Paris by Supertramp. The performances, recording quality and song selection are all top notch.
The unplugged version of Nutshell is such a gut-punch. I still love that intro chord progression. Simple but beautiful.
