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What bands do you wish you had more "Live" from??

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Posted on October 31, 2009 at 12:35:27
John PA
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 I would love to have heard a bunch of live Beatles recorded well. More CCR, more Dire Straits, more Moody Blues. . . more. . . .


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Gentle Giant, posted on November 1, 2009 at 12:56:27
Tubesteak
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 Gentle Giant.

Nice selection! If available (on redbook CD or better format), I'd probably buy more live:, posted on November 1, 2009 at 00:43:40
Audiophilander
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 Mick Taylor era Stones

early Rush ('74 - '76)

early Black Sabbath

Peter Green era Fleetwood Mac

Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon (with Waters, from original early 70's tours)

pre '73 Grand Funk

early Mountain (featuring both West & Pappalardi)

Monster era Steppenwolf

Van Der Graff Generator (H is to He era)

Tres Hombres tour ZZ Top

Byron/Thain era Uriah Heep

ALSO video! Especially if rare performance footage like this continues to surface, is restored and released officially:









Cheers,
AuPh
RE: What bands do you wish you had more "Live" from??, posted on October 31, 2009 at 20:07:16
mancavemike
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 I can think of a couple off the top of my head..

1) Lynyrd Skynyrd - I like the studio albums but I thought their music was way more enjoyable recorded live.

2) The Guess Who - Being a huge longtime fan of everything they did...I thought the "Live at the Paramount" album actually caught them at their absolute best and in a down and dirty rock mode that I don't think they ever fully achieved in the studio. That album always leaves me wanting more!
More important..., posted on October 31, 2009 at 16:20:45
mkuller
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 ...how are you doing with all the blues albums you bought.

Any standouts yet?

As to live albums, I usually prefer the studio stuff.

Usually, live albums are stupid, usually, posted on October 31, 2009 at 19:00:39
rickmcinnis@dogwoodfabrics.com
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 (the subject is an homage to SOUTH PARK)

There are very few good live albums.

The earlier post about the 100 greatest live albums was ludicrous.

In my experience the only live records (the term is ridiculous since most of them have been massaged):

Hendrix live at Monterrey
Who Live at Leeds

It is interesting to me they were recorded on cassette decks. What they lack in ultimate transparency they more than make up with "liveliness".

Either of these records at a realistic volume level are capable of what I call "time machine", I can actually imagine being there. At least, while the music is playing. The applause of the Hendrix record is very strange sounding but when your attention is directed to the stage there is something quite extraordinary about this thing.

I agree that most live records sound like "demos". If you're there you are much better able to fill in the blanks with the excitement of being there (well, you hope there is excitement at being there. Not always the case ...); makes up for what is missing.

The best live bands make no attempt at reproducing the record and give you a totally different perspective on the songs. Obviously, the WHO were one of the leading practitioners of this. There are others but not near enough. I blame the audience for wanting something so ridiculous as a studio record with innumerable overdubs to be reproduced in concert.

But, in my experience no other live record has ever made any impact on me. I am glad the whole idea of a live album has disappeared. I can't remember the last time a recent band put one of these out. I guess the last one I can think of is The PIXIES and it was useless, also.

And then there is the other aspect of live music, the constant back and forth of certain members of the audience along with the talking. The thought of paying twenty dollars to go to a show and talk the whole time, well, I guess there is no thinking involved. It is annoying in the extreme. I should say screaming since talking would not be able to be heard. Why does this happen? If I wanted to carry on a conversation I can think of no worse place than in front of a rock and roll band.

Makes you yearn for the return of slam dancing. That'll teach 'em.

Usually, but sometimes...., posted on November 1, 2009 at 10:15:28
danj
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 An act will be caught live at it's peak. This goes all the way back to the "Benny Goodman at Carnegie Hall" in 1938. It's a masterwork often mentioned as one of the top recordings of all-time in any genre (it's swing/jazz).

How about Jefferson Airplane's "Bless It's Pointed Little Head", long considered one of the bands best records? They really rocked out on that one. The version of "Plastic Fantastic Lover" totally cuts the studio version and "Fat Angel" is a masterpiece of the psychedelic era. I can almost forgive some of their later crummy live albums like "Thirty Seconds Over Winterland" because of "...Pointed Little Head."

Then there is Neil Young's "Live Rust", which most Neil fans consider one of his best albums. The live versions of "Cortez the Killer" and "Like a Hurricane" from this album are probably the ultimate versions of either song.

John Mayall's "The Turning Point" is an excellent live album and contains John's only Top 20 (USA) hit song, "Room to Move." It's a great album.

Jazz is not the same, certainly not Goodman, posted on November 2, 2009 at 14:56:31
rickmcinnis@dogwoodfabrics.com
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 I find live jazz albums to be a totally different thing. Certainly of that era, there is no dependence on overdubs so the musicians play what they can play in the studio or the venue. I thought I made it clear my comments were limited to rock bands. I sure meant to. There are plenty of good live jazz albums. With jazz the tables can be turned and the live takes are better than what was recorded in the studio!

I like JEFFERSON AIRPLANE of that era but have to wonder how massaged that record is; who knows? If it does sound good I must admit I have never heard it on a revealing system. I should give it a try. I will.

When it comes to Neil Young I am agnostic. I truly do not know. Of course, he is good but is he as good as all of the attention he receives would indicate? There has to be a naysayer and I may be the only one. This, I know, has nothing to do with the sonics of the record. But, for all of us it has to be good sound and a performance you care about

In my most unhumble opinion Young peaked with SUGAR MOUNTAIN and that song still puts a lump in my throat. I remember when it was first released, 13 years old? I had an inkling of what he was talking about but with time its poignancy became palpable.

John Mayall? Oh, well, that's one I do not get. Though I remember when the suggested album was a staple of college radio here in Atlanta. I was never inspired to buy it. I think the INDIGO GIRLS learned everything they know from that record. LOTS of strumming.

Disclaimer:
I think my strong opinions are funny. Please do not be offended, I mean no harm and expect no one to be swayed by my musings. I have no desire to change anyone's mind.

I considered only performance quality, posted on November 3, 2009 at 09:22:33
danj
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 Audio quality was secondary. It would have to be truly wretched sounding for me to reject it.

I don't think the JA album is "massaged." "Woodstock" and "Frampton Comes Alive" are great records but they are considerably massaged. "Woodstock" was 'overdubbed' in studio because of problems with the original recordings and the acts and producers strived mightily to make sure the result was as true to the original as humanly possible.

"Frampton Comes Alive" has so many edits and other post performance tweaking that it's almost fair to consider it a studio album. Great record but not totally live so it's not on my list.

As for your opinions of Neil Young and John Mayall - they are just that and I won't argue with or discount your thoughts. Personally, I see Neil as one of the seminal figures of serious (non-pop) Canadian/American rock music. I've already stated that I'm a major Mayall fan. I know that both are acquired tastes.

As for JAZZ...well, you did not specify any type of music but, rather, made a blanket statement about so-called "Live" recordings.

RE: Usually, but sometimes...., posted on November 2, 2009 at 01:34:50
audioAl
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 I have "The Turning Point" it is very good, shared it with a bud from Canada, while he and his wife vacationed here in Seadrift, it blew him away!
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I'm a big John Mayall fan, posted on November 2, 2009 at 11:12:48
danj
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 and "Turning Point" is really great stuff. I love the chest percussion.

Mayall himself is really no more than just an average musician and singer but he has a good ear and knows how to recruit and work with some of the finest and most innovative musicians around. As a result his records and concerts are often stunningly good.

I've had the pleasure of having seen him and his band several times. His March 1973 concert at the Paramount Theater (now the Arlene Schnitzer Hall) in Portland, Oregon was one of the best I've ever attended.

Don't be shy - tell us what you really think..., posted on October 31, 2009 at 20:50:35
mkuller
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 ..."Live at Leeds" is one of my favorite live recordings, along with "Otis Redding Live in Europe" and the Stones "Get Your Ya Yas Out".

Ya Yas comes out next week in a remastered 3 CD box set.

I listened to it last night and it's still terrific. Hopefully the remaster will have a little more dynamic range.

Since this was the first Stones concert I saw in 1969, I've asked Santa for the box for XMas.

RE: Usually, live albums are stupid, usually, posted on October 31, 2009 at 20:32:15
astralnavigator
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Joined: June 28, 2009
 That's a bit extreme, even though I generally agree that most live albums are not very compelling.

You hit a couple of prime examples.

There are a few more.

Hendrix Band Of Gypsys.

Rolling Stones Get Yer Ya Yas Out.

Allman Brothers Live At Fillmore East.

Humble Pie Rockin The Fillmore.

Caravan Live At The Fairfield Halls.

Hawkwind Space Ritual.

Motorhead No Sleep Till Hammersmith.

Deep Purple Live In Japan.

Little Feat Waiting For Columbus.

Neil Young Live At Fillmore East 1970.

Jefferson Airplane Bless Its Pointed Little Head.

Led Zeppelin The Song Remains The Same.

Elton John 11-17-70.

Genesis Seconds Out.

ELP Pictures At An Exhibition.

Peter Frampton Frampton Comes Alive.

Eric Clapton Just One Night.

Those are some of the highlights off the top of my head.

You have a more generous spirit than I, posted on November 1, 2009 at 08:38:19
rickmcinnis@dogwoodfabrics.com
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 The only one on the list I have not heard, and would be interested in hearing, is the CARAVAN record. Most of the others, you will have to forgive me, I am not interested, so I would not be able to give them a fair hearing.

My reference is going back to your statement of the performance sounding like "demos" (that was a fantastic observation that I shall retain for my own purposes!). If the record does not present some new twist on the original idea and is simply a mediocre sounding "demo", who needs it?

Haven't listened to BAND OF GYPSIES in years but now that I think about it I am sure you are right. That was a great record. In many ways one does not really regard it as a LIVE ALBUM since you did not have the ability to compare the LIVE version to the STUDIO version.

I do go to lots of concerts, mainly in clubs, which I enjoy half of the time. I know bands have their good days and bad days and usually I figure this is the case for a lackluster show. I cannot imagine living that life. It seems like a rough go to me so I can forgive a tired performance.

A bad audience is another thing.

Am I unusual (well, yes, I know I am unusual) in that the audience can affect my enjoyment of a concert?

More distasteful rantings from a rock and roll curmudgeon.
Bye,

Rick McInnis

RE: What bands do you wish you had more "Live" from??, posted on October 31, 2009 at 15:17:08
astralnavigator
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 You might have been disappointed, The Beatles after the Cavern days were not a terribly good live band. Pretty much note for note, often out of tune, often ragged, and harmonies missing. CCR apart from Fogerty weren't very good musicians - the studio covered up a lot of that. I saw the Moodies and it was a reasonable show, but much of the studio work could not be reproduced live, so a lot came across as demo versions.

LOL, well there goes my fantasies. . ., posted on October 31, 2009 at 15:22:41
John PA
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 but thanks. Interesting.
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Well, for an opening song....., posted on November 3, 2009 at 07:20:12
phatty
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 ..to a Live album, I don't think you can do better than Hoedown. ELP live 3 vinyl,( two CD ) offering.

Not the greatest recording,but recent CD's have been better, the pace , speed, energy, all of it , is a terrific start to a long show.

If you don't like live ELP, that's understandable. But just listen to the first song, loud , and on a good system.
And please remember that it was recorded in 1973.

RE: Well, for an opening song....., posted on November 3, 2009 at 11:05:08
rpcoins
 One album often overlooked is Wheels of Fire by Cream. Half of it was studio and half live. Spoonful and Crossroads are seminal Clapton. The reunion DVD was also pretty good for a bunch of guys who had not played together in 37 years!

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