Essential Live Albums

[liebzz]

Another inspired thread from somewhere else here - a multi-artist journey through rock music via the live album. I chose 100 live albums / shows that were either listed amongst the most essential on random internet pages, live albums that were influential for me, a few suggestions already in this forum, and well anywhere else I could find. This is a long term project I think so we should keep adding with your recommendations. I am going to try to keep an active list, but just note I am leaving off jazz because that’s a whole journey unto itself. The order I am going through is largely chronological, with a balance of release date versus when it was recorded depending on where it fits on the arc of our journey (aka Led Zeppelin’s How the West Was Won was recorded in 1972 and released decades later).

Follow along, make suggestions, comment on the album, listen along…I’ll post what’s next at the end of each post so we are all listening.:.things will get Jolie, and some of these I have never heard.

Up first: Muddy Waters - At Newport (1960)

[liebzz]

Muddy Waters - At Newport 1960

This is the oldest live album on this journey and an appropriate starting point. Muddy Waters influenced so much rock music, especially that huge wave of English rock stars that are often considered synonymous with 60s rock. On this release, it’s really the interplay between harmonica, piano, and drums that define the performance beyond its main draw - that voice! As the show progresses here, Waters holds the crowd in the palm of his hand, and absolutely demolishes I’ve Got My Mojo Working to the extent that he just goes ahead and plays it again to the delight of the crowd. Note the last 4 songs are studio tracks of some of the live songs played. No complaints here.

The Essential Performance: I’ve Got My Mojo Working

Up next: Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley’s Beach Party

[liebzz]

Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley’s Beach Party (1963)

Moving from blues to rock n roll, though the differences are quite slight, one thing sticks out pretty quickly, Bo’s band can play. This is very much the beach party, and until today never once thought of Bo Diddley as surf rock, but it kind of is. Despite the poor quality audio, the energy here is palatable, and things really start kickin’ at Hey Bo Diddley and keep growing in energy through a rollicking Road Runner, though my pick here is the instrumental Bo’s Waltz, which is really outstanding.

Essential Performance: Bo’s Waltz

Next Up: James Brown - Live at the Apollo

[wease]

The Apollo was the next one I was going to recommend.

[i got bugs]

Grateful Dead - Without a Net
Pearl Jam - Benaroya Hall

[liebzz]

Grateful Dead - Without a Net
Pearl Jam - Benaroya Hall

Without a Net! I included early Dead but not late. Gotta include that one. Adding Reckoning also.

Benaroya Hall is on the list.

[bodysnatcher]

Are you doing live albums that are complete shows / near complete shows? Or also including albums that are compilations of live songs?

[wease]

Aretha Live at Fillmore West

King Curtis and the Kingpins opened and then was her backing band. I recommend the 2005 reissue.

[Bammer]

Unplugged!
- Nirvana
- Alice In Chains
- Mariah Carey
- K-Ci & JoJo

[liebzz]

Are you doing live albums that are complete shows / near complete shows? Or also including albums that are compilations of live songs?

Compilations and shows.

[liebzz]

Aretha Live at Fillmore West

King Curtis and the Kingpins opened and then was her backing band. I recommend the 2005 reissue.

On the list, but will do the reissue.

[liebzz]

Unplugged!
- Nirvana
- Alice In Chains
- Mariah Carey
- K-Ci & JoJo

Thanks! I had Nirvana and Pearl Jam unplugged. AIC is in. I will add the other two also but no promises haha.

[LetMeSleep]

I am going to try to keep up. Muddy Waters was good but Bo Diddley on The Beach sounds like a riot. Reminds me of the times I saw RL Burnside.

[liebzz]

James Brown - Live at the Apollo (1963)

There’s no question that James Brown is best known for his live performances. The burst of energy here is huge right out the gate, establishing that high octane soul - which is really when this thing is at its best. Yes, the slow jam in Lost Someone is really great, but it’s in the closing Night Train and opening I’ll Go Crazy and those quick instrumental bridges where he shines brightest.

The Essential Performance: I’ll Go Crazy

Next Up: B.B. King - Live at the Regal (1965)

[tragabigzanda]

[LetMeSleep]

Freaking amazing. Saw him 3 times and he was absolutely on fire. That would be a hell of a gig to experience again.

[liebzz]

B.B. King - Live at the Regal

When it comes to blues, there’s almost a caricature-like sense of King’s definitive sound. King sounds great here, but the band really brings it here, and King feels more like he’s reading the crowd, like he’s capable of much more than he’s actually doing. That cat and mouse feel leaves you wanting more, which maybe is the point.

The Essential Performance: Every Day I Have the Blues

Next Up: The Beatles - Live at the Hollywood Bowl

[Chris_H_2]

[Ello Sailor]

Live in Chicago (Ween)
Stop Making Sense (Heads)
The Dance (Mac)
Shadows and Light (Joni)
And All That Could Have Been (NIN)

Only Talking Heads and Fleetwood Mac are truly essential, but they're all outstanding IMO.

[liebzz]

Live in Chicago (Ween)
Stop Making Sense (Heads)
The Dance (Mac)
Shadows and Light (Joni)
And All That Could Have Been (NIN)

Only Talking Heads and Fleetwood Mac are truly essential, but they're all outstanding IMO.

All on the list