Favorite live-albums by those who regularly don't like live-albums

[oregonalex]

I am glad there are more people who dislike live albums. I thought I was some kind of a musical Neanderthal because everyone gushes over them all the time. Live albums are often the highest rated titles for many artists on 'rateyourmusic.com'. I only have these live or partially live albums in my collection. My ratings are 1-5 stars.

Ummagumma - Pink Floyd - ***
Wheels of Fire - Cream - ****
Live at Leeds - Who, The - *****
June 1, 1974 - Kevin Ayers/John Cale/Eno/Nico - ***
Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Wakeman, Rick - ****
Between Nothingness and Eternity - Mahavishnu Orchestra	- ***
Welcome back my friends... - Emerson, Lake & Palmer - ****
Pictures at an Exhibition - Emerson, Lake & Palmer - *****

[bp]

The extra tunes now available that were left off of Between Nothingness and Eternity are tremendous. More fire than five human should be able to create. Very different than the studio versions. They even sound great downloaded from iTunes.

Highly recommended!

[gregory]

I usually don't like live albums. I don't like even most of the famous live albums.
But, exceptionally, some of live albums I really like.
Band Of Gypsys
Pictures At An Exibition
Genesis Live
Matheson, Laboriel, Landau, Colaiuta - Live at the Baked Potato
Jeff Beck - Performing this week...Live at the Ronnie Scott's
Led Zeppelin How The West Was Won, The Song Remains The Same
King Crimson USA
Bad Company Merchants of Cool

[Trane]

The extra tunes now available that were left off of Between Nothingness and Eternity are tremendous. More fire than five human should be able to create. Very different than the studio versions. They even sound great downloaded from iTunes.

Highly recommended!

How long has this remaster been out??

Or is it a remaster??

[Adrian]

Genesis Live.

With the exception of "Supper's Ready," it includes all my favorite PG-era tracks. But more than that, there's an intensity to the performances that I find lacking on the studio versions. All of the early Genesis albums sound too timid to me, but Genesis Live is just the opposite, the way it comes roaring out of the speakers. The ending of "The Knife" is practically headbanger-worthy. Who would have ever guessed that from Genesis?

I don't care much for live albums, but this one is probably among my 10 all-time favorite records.

[Bake 1]

As usual.... a list committing ridiculous crimes of omission:
Tipographica- Man Who Does Not Nod
Massacre- Meltdown, (recording quality on this one is $#@!!! amazing!)
Larry Coryell- Fairyland
Kraan- Live (74')
Roxy Music- Viva
Rory Gallagher- Irish Tour 74
Miles Davis- Agharta
The Who-Live at Leeds
Hamster Theatre-Quasi Day Room live at the Moore Theatre

[oregonalex]

Pictures At An Exibition

I forgot about this one! Of course I have it and I love it! I forgot to include it because I consider it a part of the ELP discography and don't think of it as a regular live album. Duly added to my list above.

[trurl]

Playing the Fool
Frampton Comes Alive (I am dead damn serious)
Seconds Out
Live Magnetic Air (Max Webster)


and.... have to think beyond that. I really am *not* a fan of live albums.

[Luckie]

Utopia - Redux '92 Live in Japan

Has its moments - Caravan and Last Of The New Wave raiders stand out - but I find it difficult to warm to as the band reunion was predicated on a financial offer they couldn't refuse from Japanese backers, and relations between Rundgren and Wilcox in particular were strained.
'Another Live' would get my vote for the three originals on Side 1 alone (if only studio versions had been laid down afterwards), and I'd crowbar the awesome Utopia Theme in there as well.

As for non-prog live albums, Earth Wind & Fire's 'Gratitude' is an absolute blast.

[Oreb]

Care to elaborate? I've got a whole bunch of Bruce but never heard of this recording.. Dates? Location? Thanks..

It's also around as Passaic Night - Capitol Theater, Passaic, 19/09/1978.

Actually, just about any of the 1978 gigs would count, but this was the first I heard and it's special for that - also recorded very well!

[Jacquesa]

GG Playing the Fool
Genesis Second's Out
Tull Bursting Out
Humble Pie Performance
Uriah Heep Live
J. Winter Live And

[happytheman]

It's also around as Passaic Night - Capitol Theater, Passaic, 19/09/1978.

Actually, just about any of the 1978 gigs would count, but this was the first I heard and it's special for that - also recorded very well!

Found the "last night" from the Capitol Theatre.. I've got plenty of shows from '78 but I'll pull this one and listen. Thanks for the heads up.
Last Night At The Capitol Theatre, The Godfatherecords, G.R. 748/749/750
Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, USA, September 21 1978

[progeezer]

I love Live At Leeds, and (for the 500th time, sorry) The Who, along with Steely/Fagen & Arthur Lee & Love will be my 3 favorite bands forever. The energy of the playing on Leeds jumps right out of the speakers, while at the same time it also features some of the most flat singing I've ever heard by any major frontman, not just Roger.

[Oreb]

I've got plenty of shows from '78 but I'll pull this one and listen.

Is there anything better in rock than the band in 1978 doing 'Prove It All Night' with that fine, fine extended arrangement?

[Sunhillow]

Not a fan of live albums, but this one is very good:

Moon Safari- Gettysburg Address

Yeah, good one. I enjoy playing this more than their studio-encounters, which is a good sign. It's in my 'good-live-album-but-not-a-masterpiece'-list. Same goes for Unitopia's recent live-album "One Night In Europe" and maybe also Mangrove (dutch band) live-album "Coming Back To Live".

[Trane]

Massacre - Meltdown, (recording quality on this one is $#@!!! amazing!) >> thanks!! I'd have forgotten this one
Larry Coryell - Live at Village Gate
Rory Gallagher - Irish Tour 74
Miles Davis - Live Evil
The Who -Live at Leeds

[flowerking]

A few oldies that pop to mind:

Head East - Live (THE party album of my first year in college)

Steve Sly

Ooh, great choice! Love their nearly acapella version of Its For You.

[Vic2012]

This might be my favorite live Zep of all:


I was never a big fan of TSRTS. The movie's fun to watch but the soundtrack never impressed me much. I'm not ignoring How The West Was Won either, I don't have the CD, just the DVD. Anyway, Celebration Day is phenomenal.

[philsunset]

Simon & Garfunkel-Live From New York City, 1967 - beautifully captures the end of an era.

[progman1975]

How can anyone no like LIVE albums......

[Adrian]

^ I think the OP summed up the reasons pretty well.

[progman1975]

^ I think the OP summed up the reasons pretty well.

Yea well...hes WRONG...He must not go to shows then...Love impromptu solos as part of a song live....ex....Jobson Violin solo at the end of "Protect and Survive" is fucking jaw dropping.....

[Garden Dreamer]

Not a fan of live albums, but I like these a lot:

Chicago - Live at Carnegie Hall
Renaissance - Live at Carnegie Hall
Humble Pie - Rockin' the Fillmore
Rush - All the World's A Stage

[Reid]

Little Feat-Waiting For Columbus
Joni Mitchell-Shadows & Light
Pat Metheny Group-Travels
Santana-Moonflower, great live/studio collection
Dr. John-Trippin' Live
Bruce Cockburn-Circles In The Stream; Live

[UnephenStephen]

wow, no Kansas - Two for the Show?
not a big fan of live either but this one i think has the better versions of both Journey from Marj8y4juw and Song for America.