The best live album in recent memory

tame impala's record store day release
todd snider "the storyteller"

 

"Natural Wonder" - Stevie Wonder

Ok, so it was released nearly 20 years ago - still, despite some post-production meddling, it's one of my favourite live albums so here it is.

The concert was televised (slight differences between the tracks here than those on the longer CD release - eg, the vocal harmonies on the intro for "Love's In Need Of Love Today" are replaced with the '76 studio recording on the CD release - presumably the video has the original live audio throughout):

 

If only it came without an audience! Who the hell screams yeah, on an initial tuning test strum?

I've lost patience with much audience behaviour these past years I'm afraid my most recent Live favourite is Alison Krause + Union Station"Live" & that's barely this century.

 

They're download-only, but the freebie live EPs recently put out by Low, "Live at Eindhoven" and "Plays Nice Places", are a terrific way to be introduced to the band. They can be downloaded for free from Low's web site in exchange for signing up for their mailing list (link to Low's web site here: "Live at Eindhoven" and "Plays Nice Places").

 

The Pogues - Live in Paris

 

I know I'm going to shock everyone here but I do like Simple Minds "Live in the City of Light" even though the song selection is really awkward given what was left off. Kasabian's "Live at the O2" is the best one I've heard recently. More of a companion to a concert video but they are a top rock band.

 

I think it's on the demand side rather than the supply side. People just aren't as interested in live albums as they used to be, so they don't make them anymore. They rarely sell much when they do get made; they seem to be approached (and promoted) as minor albums--strictly for dedicated fans. I can't remember the last time a live album was considered a major part of an artist's discography. (The last one can't be Nirvana's "MTV Unplugged in New York", can it? There must have been a bigger one since then.)

It's also worth noting that, as far as I can tell, there seems to be virtually no interest in live albums in pop or in hip-hop.

 

But they should have passed on the thread, then. Granted, even the OP had thrown his hands up after a while as too many people just didn't get what he was asking for.

I would liked to have seen more modern live albums as well, just for the reasons you stated as they may not be heavily advertised.

 

I was at that shoe and when Ry tunes up we all get excited

 

Tame Impala's Live Versions RSD release is pretty happening.

 

absolutely - i had such high hopes for Nassau. The Resurrection boot is one of the greatest records of all time legal or bootleg

the official vinyl was somewhat less painful on the ears but mine was damaged from new and wouldn't play- dirty greasy finger marks on supposed new vinyl uugh!
anyway the vinyl still had that awful noise reduction on life on mars-5 years
and Panic in detroit was criminally neutered to make the transition between the 2 diff sources less abrupt

I would also have preferred a standalone release that would have captured the average punter

Easy action also ruined Iggys "where the faces shine" & "1977" so they're out


so with that in mind:
Nirvana -Reading 92- yes its a bummer that the banter was chopped and the whole thing squished onto 1 disc but i'm just relieved that it didn't end up like Nassau 76!
The Who - Live in Hull
Woodstock 40th anniv 6cd box (2009)or 2 cd/vinyl versions - they took the audiophile approach
Who - Greatest Hits Live
Sex Pistols Trondheim/Stockholm 77 disc (2012 NMTB box set)
killing joke at the forum 2008- i clearly remember my relief that Youths bass playing had recovered from the horrible out of tune 94-95 period
Sex Pistols- Never Trust A Hippy 6 cd box set- no noise reduction, no attempts to "clean it up" just the Pistols (mostly shows with Sid) live for better or worse
Iggy Pop "Live" on laserlight records 2009 -the definitive version of the Cleveland show for sound quality despite the jumbled tracklisting

 

I can't believe I'm typing these words but..
Vinyl Passions release of Bowie Glass Spider, yes yes i know. but without the visuals its not so bad. Time, Sons of the Silent Age, I Wanna be your dog are good performances.
the mastering and pressing are superb
i don't listen to side 1- i'm not totally senile! but VP are on to something here, picking up unappreciated recordings from the archive and presenting them in audiophile quality
I really want them to do a serious moonlight or Tin Machine release

 

Phish & Widespread Panic have many, many great live releases in their achieved concert series.

Check out Panic in the Street & Live in the Classic City from Widespread Panic.
A Live One is a cornerstone in the Phish catalog.

Dave Alvin & the Guilty Men Out in California
Lyle Lovett Live in Texas
Thrice Live at the House of Blues
Chris Smither Live As I'll Ever Be

 

The Cream 2005 RAH

 

+1 on Phish & Widespread Panic.

 

Only heard the 24/96 DTS-HDMA Blu Ray but.......

ROY ORBISON - Black and White Night sounds BRILLIANT

NEIL DIAMOND - Hot August Night must be up there surely!!!

 

Sticking strictly to albums bothr recorded and released in the last few years:

Babbacombe Lee Live Again - Fairport Convention
Life Begins - Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash
Live From Strongfjorden - Larkin Poe
The Forbidden City - Stackridge

 

What am I taking about?? The vocals on the CD aren't from the '76 recording at all

Just a MUCH better mix than on the TV version - so much better that for a minute I thought it was the all-Stevie original intro!

 

blur parklive

 

If a live album from 37 years ago is considered "recent," it'd be interesting to know what's considered from distant memory.

 

Were you at the right shoe or the other one?

 

+1 Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash

 

Maybe that does not find many albums recently purchased live or a good memory ... really love this album. Just that.

 

George Michael's Symphonica.