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Friday Fun: Your Favorite Live Album?

09:04 AM, Friday 7/17/09 46 |   |

Got a favorite live album? You know, one where you know every single note, audience shout-out and between-song patter? An album showcasing an artist’s or band’s on-stage presence?

Live albums are tricky devils. Some are released only due to contractual obligations, while others are merely attempts to suck some more cash from the fans.

But some live albums are more than reproductions of past hits with applause tacked on. Some stand on their own as timeless classics, like Frampton Comes Alive, The Who’s Live At Leeds, Cheap Trick At Budokan, and the granddaddy of all live albums – James Brown’s Live At The Apollo.

So tell us about your favorite live album, and why it’s at the top of your personal top ten. Just slam your answer into the comment thread below before you take off for the weekend.

46 Comments leave a comment

  1. 5
    starless wrote:

    09:15 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    deep purple - made in japan

    is fantastic.

    no explanation necessary.

  2. 14
    Tfronky wrote:

    09:17 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    The Ramones "It's Alive". Unbelievable double album catching this great band during their heyday.

  3. 13
    Jason Brown wrote:

    09:20 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    The article mentions some all-time great live albums that I love, but I these are also up there as well: Bob Seger's Live Bullet, Rush's Exit Stage Left, The Stones' Get Yer Ya-Yas Out,  and U2's Under a Blood Red Sky.  

  4. 188
    FaithNoMore89 wrote:

    09:20 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    Judas Priest "Unleashed In The East"

    Iron Maiden "Live After Death"

  5. 13
    Jason Brown wrote:

    09:23 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    Almost forgot:

    Allman Brothers Band; At Fillmore East

    Kiss, Alive

    Pink Floyd, Delicate Sound of Thunder

    Depeche Mode, 101

    Motorhead, No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith

  6. 101
    timenglish wrote:

    09:24 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    AC/DC "If you want blood, you've got it"

    UFO "Strangers in the Night"

    Judas Priest "Unleashed in the East"

    Scorpions "Tokyo Tapes"

    Tragically Hip "Live Between Us"

    Wilco "Kicking Television"

    Rush "All the Worlds a Stage"

    Neil Young "Live Rust"

    Who "Live at Leeds"

    Cheap Trick "Budokan"

  7. 3
    livemusichead wrote:

    09:27 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    James Brown for sure

    And I love Frampton Comes Alive

    But another favourite of mine is more obscure

    And that is Career Moves by Loudon Wainwright III!

  8. 5
    Dave 28 wrote:

    09:30 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    Pink Floyd - Pulse

    Kiss - ALIVE!

    UFO - Strangers in the Night

    Its a toss up between the three.

  9. 15
    Burnin E wrote:

    09:41 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    Queen live killers

    Gary Numan telekon live 2007

    Stray Cats rumble in brighton

    Ramones It's alive

    Tori Amos Welcome to sunny florda

  10. 4
    electric_grapevine wrote:

    09:44 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    AC/DC - If You Want Blood...You've Got It

                The production on this album is so raw and you can't escape the true power that Bon Scott's voice had.  Angus Young nails everything on this album.

    PEARL JAM - LIVE AT THE GORGE 2005 and 2006

                 Great setlists....lots of treats and rarities.  Great covers.  The 2005 show featured an acoustic set.  The opening song being an acoustic cover of the Ramones 'I Believe In Miracles'.  Beautiful venue and great band.

    PRIMUS - SUCK ON THIS

                 Primus Sucks!!! But this album rules.  Lots of songs played live before they were even released on record.  Check out PRESSMAN.

    JIMI HENDRIX - BAND OF GYPSYS

                'Nough said!

    KISS - ALIVE

                Although I was disappointed to learn there ended up being a lot of work done in the studio regarding this album it is still a classic.

  11. 59
    Saneaux wrote:

    10:01 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    For me, no live album can top the musicianship and energy found on Van Morrison: A Night In San Francisco, but Bob Dylan & The Band: Before The Flood comes in at a very close second...

  12. 1
    marshall wrote:

    10:02 AM, Jul 17, 2009

    I know that most people will not know them but Cross Canadian Ragweed Live @ Cain's Ballroom is my fav. plus they sell at most of their shows a digital copy of the show which I believe is the perfect memory of a show.



Artists Mentioned in this article