#Music 1: 10 Essential Live Albums
I have always been a great fan of live music. Not only for the actual experience, but when it comes to records. While some prefer the perfection and higher production values of studio recordings, I prefer the element of “capturing the moment” of live recordings. Here are 10 great examples of such records. Before you dive in make sure you have a good set of speakers or headphones ready to go.
A playlist of all highlighted songs from the albums below is here:
Joe Cocker — Mad Dogs & Englishmen (1970)
Joe Cocker is pushed to do a huge US tour. Leon Russell is in charge to put the band together and serve as musical directors. The result is a tour de force of great recordings, perfectly highlighting the appeal of Joe Cocker live, as well as a great jamming backing band, featuring among others Bobby Keith of Rolling Stones touring fame.
Highlights: “The Letter”, “Cry Me a River”, “Superstar”(sung by Rita Coolidge)
Lou Reed — Take No Prisoners (Live) (1978)
In my music library there are more Lour Reed live recordings than of any other artist. Not all of them are extraordinarily great, but the cool thing about Lou Reed live is, that he rarely plays the same song the same way twice. So with each version you get to discover different sides or perspectives of the song. Due to such sheer abundance it’s also neglected that there need to be “ultimate” versions of songs.
Take No Prisoners is Lou Reed on a peak of playful obnoxiousness and arrogance. On the songs, there is often more rambling, ranting and bantering than actual sticking to the original verse — but it’s great rambling and ranting. The songs are played with a full band including a wind section and backup singers, differentiating from more sparse setups on other records.
Highlights: “Berlin”, “Satellite of Love”
Nirvana — MTV Unplugged (1994)
For a period in the 90s and early 00’s MTV unplugged sessions were truly special events that resulted in great albums. The Nirvana album from their turn on the MTV stage more or less became a must have in everybody’s CD collection (yes, that’s how music got stored).
Transforming their songs for the unplugged setting showed off the musical prowess of the band, while the overall tone and feel of the session in hindsight seemed to foreshadow the tragedy to come.
Highlights: “The Man Who Sold The World”, “Where Did You Sleep Tonight”
Portishead — Roseland NYC Live (1998)
The sound of Portishead punctuated the 90’s with what could perhaps best be described as digestible Drum’n’Bass. Beth Gibbons’ haunting vocals and the band’s great beats and melodies are supported and amplified here with a live orchestra.
Highlights: “All Mine”, “Roads”
Jay-Z — MTV Unplugged (2001)
Doing HipHop in an Unplugged setting felt new when Jay-Z did it. He, of course, got the best band to support him for such an endeavour — the legendary Roots crew.
Highlights: “Heart Of The City”, “Can’t Knock The Hustle”
David Bowie — A Reality Tour (2010)
I deeply regret never having seen David Bowie live. This live album probably shows best the breadth and the depth of his catalogue as it features all highlights from his decades-spanning career. For me an absolute cornerstone of this recording: Gael Ann Dorsey on bass and backing vocals.
Highlights: “Under Pressure”, “Slip Away”
Tom Waits — Glitter and Doom (Live) (2009)
Tom Waits’ music is definitely not made to just listen to on the side while you’re doing something else. It demands attention — and also exhausts to a certain extent. But it’s absolutely worthwhile to listen to the stories told in the lyrics and to capture the harmonies even if the songs sometimes sound anything but harmonic.
This recording also comes with an additional 30+ minutes of Tom telling weird/funny stories to the audience.
Highlights: “Falling Down”, “Live Circus”
The Cure — Bestival Live 2011
I heard all the Cure songs as kid and teenager but never really got into them. I recently rediscovered them, especially the live stuff, which is a bit rougher/edgier than the studio versions. My sons have taken to their music as well, and especially “A Forest” needs to run on loop during many car trips.
Highlights: “A Forest”, “10:15 Saturday Night”, “Boys Don’t Cry”
Snarky Puppy — We Like It Here (2014)
I was a bit late to the Snarky Puppy party, only discovering Michael League when he started collaborating with David Crosby. We Like It Here is perhaps best described as semi-live — recorded in a studio setting but with an audience present. Given the complexity of the music itself, the live execution is absolutely impressive.
Highlights: “Shofukan”, “Lingus”
Jeff Beck — Performing This Week..Live At Ronnie Scott’s (2015)
Jeff Beck can make a guitar sing like no other. For these sessions he once more had a great band with Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Jason Rebello on keys, and -at this time a great discovery- Tal Wilkenfeld on bass. With guest vocal appearances of Joss Stone, Imogen Heap and Eric Clapton (also on guitar, of course).
Highlights: “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers”, “People get ready”, “A Day In The Life”
