Relatively unknown, but GREAT live albums

You sure know some great live albums that are seldom talked about. Now it's their time to shine!

I'll start:

Kraan - Kraan Live (recorded 1974, released 1975)



German jazz-rock outfit. This is their greatest album, with their best songs given the live treatment. Virtuoso musicianship, good humor, well recorded, lots of jamming and soloing (check out the bass solo in the song "Nam Nam"!). A masterpiece as far as live albums goes. If you like extended improvisations and funky fusion, this is for you!

 

Great idea for a thread topic! Here's another relatively obscure classic from Germany, Agitation Free's Live '74 (a.k.a. At The Cliffs of River Rhine). There's a really smooth flow to the musicianship here, a spacey ambiance that resembles the Grateful Dead at times. I like their first two studio albums, but more often than not, it's their live work that I reach for and this release is their crowning achievement, IMO.

 

I've only listened to their studio albums. Will check this one out! Thanks!

 

The Guess Who Live At The Paramount - they weren't just a singles band!

 

Bryndle (Wendy Waldman, Karla Bonoff, Kenny Edwards)
Live at Russ & Julie's (2003)

 

It seems like we're stuck in Germany. Here's another great live release:

Missus Beastly - Bremen 1974 (recorded 1974, released 2006)



Also in the jazz rock vein. Recorded for a radio broadcast, not released commercially until 2006. Kinda Miles Davis influenced.

 

"River Rhine" is a great one. Fans of original vinyl may prefer AF's "Last", which is also live psychodoolic but has that long "Looping" second side which kind of drags even when one has tripped to it. There's been a lot of radio show reissues that showcase the great K-rock bands like Eiliff and Gila.
Still waiting for Electric Sandwich live...

 

Hank thompson " at the golden nugget"

I couldn't believe there was almost no mention of this record on the forum.

When I first got it I listened to it over and over and over... Several times a day... For weeks and weeks.

Bobby Garrett on steel and merle Travis on guitar.

I've got 2 copies on CD ...and an unopened mono vinyl ...and a stereo vinyl..

I even bought a vintage ashtray from the golden nugget ... And I don't even smoke.

 

Italy's Area didn't receive quite as much attention as some of their progressive countrymen like PFM or Banco, perhaps because their music was so adventurous and uncompromising at times. The extraordinary vocal contortions of Demetrio Stratos can be an acquired taste for some, while their excursions into free improv territory can be daunting. But their 1975 live release, Are(A)zione, reveals the band at their very best. Side one offers three more concise cuts, one from each of their preceding studio albums, performed with skill and gusto. Side two has an extended, jazzy improv piece where each of the band members gets to stretch out and show their stuff.

 

This absolute gem from 1993....

 

I love that record (as well as all the other Area albums)! What he did with his voice is incredible. I also like the "apple percussion" thing (or what you should call it... eating an apple as a part of the musical background)!

 

For sentimental reasons, one of my favourites

Flairck - En Vivo en Chile 1995

 

The Billy Cobham - George Duke Band - "Live'' on Tour in Europe (1976)



With the "Live" in exclamation marks, I'm not sure how "live" it really is, but it doesn't matter. It kicks ass! I mean, imagine this lineup: Billy Cobham, drums, George Duke, keyboards, Alphonso Johnson, bass, John Scofield, guitar. Must have been a pleasure seeing this live. While the album is far from perfect, it's mostly great. This Alphonso Johnson-tune is my favorite from the set:

 

Really enjoying this. Thanks.

 

You're welcome! Also check out their studio albums (even though I prefer this one).

 

Johnny Cash At San Quentin. At Folsom Prison gets all the accolades, but the expanded CD release of San Quentin (9 bonus tracks, restored to the proper sequence, and uncensored) is a revelation. Hearing the expanded version, I realized what a hatchet job the original vinyl album was.

 

Gibson and Camp at the Gate of Horn
The Phoenix Concerts - John Stewart
One Night Stand, Real to Reel, and Wait'll You Hear This! - Noel Paul Stookey
Live - Renaissnace
Live In America - John Renbourn Group
Live In Concert - John Renbourn and Stefan Grossman

 

An excellent performer, Escovedo here showcases both his singer/songwriter skills and his cow-punk roots.

 

Agreed, Kraan was great.

 

"A Porky Prime Cut" Ozric Tentacles- Live Underslunky

 

continuing with the German theme Jerry Lee Lewis "Live at the Star Club, Hamburg"

 

Eloy-Live
Pat Martino-Live
Brand X-Livestock

 

Throbbing Gristle - Live at Nuffield Theatre, Southampton



Their best live performance IMO.

 

This CD is crazy good but crazy expensive now.

http://www.amazon.com/Live-Lava-Lounge-Vol-Hawaiians/dp/B000BDH5R2