What Makes A Great Live Album?

[ILoveJimmyPage]

Awesome thread Harm. I'd say I'm not too much of a live album enthusiast but in order for one to catch my attention it has to have a good overall energy to it from both the artist and the crowd. I see you mentioned How the West Was Won there and that's a classic example if you compare it to their other live albums. Listen to just about any track on it and it gives those who weren't fortunate enough to see Zeppelin live a sense of being present. Lots of audience interaction and energy and you can tell the boys really got into it. Compare it to the more solemn The Song Remains the Same and it's easier to see my point. It's also much more uptempo on a lot of the tracks as opposed to their studio recorded originals but that's more up gcc's alley as he's more knowledgeable on that sort of thing but it definitely does give it a lot more energy which I appreciate. I've also always enjoyed Plant's vocals on HTWWW (before his rumored surgery in '73).

 

[Sox]

For me there a several ingredients that make a live album great. The raw energy of a fresh young band caught early in their career, the location as with Rory and his "Irish Tour '74" and maybe good fortune. I think another big one is capturing a band in that special time period. Or when an Artist/band was/is at the zenith of their career. Take Thin Lizzy "Live And Dangerous" recorded at several venues but at a time when they had what is considered by most the strongest line up. Ted Nugent "Double Live Gonzo" recorded when Ted was at his peak. "If You Wan't Blood" ACDC, they had the strength songwise and released a killer live album at a point when they were becoming very popular. So yeah Timing is an element to consider IMO.

 

[LG]

I am not a Huge fan of live albums...almost always I will prefer a bands studio work. That's the engineer/producer/audiophile side of me talking...

However there are some exceptions where a band I like puts out an absolute gem of a live recording.

I echo Sox's astute observations, there are many factors/variables as to why a record is successful not just the quality of the performance itself.

For instance I don't think "Frampton Comes Alive" would be nearly as successful if it was released anytime after the early 80's...not just because the landscape changed it was simply a unique situation/combination of events and it surprised Everyone by how many copies it sold. It's also the high water mark for Peter Frampton, he never came close to matching that achievement even though a few of his later albums were very good.

 

[Abraxas]

For me a great live album is when the live versions of studio recordings really kick a$$, the artist or group in top performance and not loaded with just hits. Another thing I like about live albums are songs that have never been included on studio recordings, King Crimson and The Grateful Dead did that a lot on their live albums. Songs like Wharf Rat, Jack Straw and The Eleven by The Dead are my faves and have never been recorded on any studio release. And rare material by King Crimson like Drop In, Mantra and Travel Weary Capricorn are interesting.

Some of my fave live albums:

Exit... Stage Left - Rush
Epitaph - King Crimson
The Night Watch - King Crimson
Live/Dead - Grateful Dead
Europe '72 - Grateful Dead
Pictures At An Exhibition - ELP

 

[Big Ears]

It's in the performance. Some bands can play material from a studio album, which sounds better live. Manfred Mann's live version of Capt Bobby Stout is a case in point. Most things by Gary Moore were better live (more energetic). Where live albums do not work is when they are: (i) released for contractual reasons; (ii) re-recorded (Thin Lizzy, Genesis); or (iii) too refined. I know I am very naughty, but I have a few boots recorded from radio shows (Bad Co, Manfred Mann). Sometimes live radio broadcasts are better than the official live releases.

 

[Death on Credit]

Well, the studio stuff is like a steak with A1, or a cup of coffee loaded with cream or sugar. It's delicious, but loaded with extra ingredients to enhance the flavor.

But, a great live album is everything boiled down to its most basic elements, and standing on its own. A steak that is so juicy and good that sauce would ruin the experience, or a great cup of black coffee. It's raw passion, transcending all of the supplemental material.

 

[AboutAGirl]

This is a VERY interesting question. For me the most important factors are:

-- It has to offer something you can't get from the studio albums. New material (Neil), longer versions (Zep, Dead, Stones et al), unique interpretations (Unplugged). Without that it'll never crack my tops list.

-- Sound quality is important, frankly. Unless it's a bootleg of 2nd wave black metal band, bad sound quality tends to be a dealbreaker for me. Get dem soundboards man!

-- Atmosphere & context are a huge plus. It would have to be the best collection of live tracks I'd ever heard for a random collection to be one of my favorites. What I like is albums that are either of one specific show or are at least themed from one specific tour.

-- Not too much emphasis on the hits. The hits are great, but you've gotta give us a little something else to look at, too. Unless they're particularly interesting new versions.

 

[LG]

I'll post the first live album I ever owned. April Wine's simply titled "Live" recorded in 1974. My brother gave it to me for Christmas and it left a permanent impression on me. It was recorded in a small hotel barroom, the sound quality is excellent, the performance of the band top notch and the set list was great, only complaint would be it's too short. But back in the days of vinyl we didn't have more than 40 minutes to play with.

Waited for Years to get this on CD, I have given up trying to find a vinyl copy, and it's one of those CD's that sounds fantastic.

Highly recommended, I'd give it a 9/10 on my personal live record scale of greatness.

 

[That 70s Guy]

When you close your eyes....you're there.

 

[Recky]

For me, it's the power. I mean, studio versions can seriously kick, but live is usually where the whole thing takes off.

My favourite album is a live album.

yeh, got to agree with that statement Powerage, a good example, for me, is SLADE, they sounded awesome on their SLADE ALIVE album, and it is still THE live album I recommend to anybody ( other than Purple in Japan that is..)