Jack White Live (and others)

The new live Jack White / White Stripes album reminds me of the heyday of the release of live records and the small number of really great ones.

Wilco released a very good one a few years ago, but it in no way can compare to the real thing, which I just experienced on Sunday night here in Pittsburgh. Its not just the visuals, but maybe its the volume!

The Band and Bob Dylan released a great live double album set recorded I think at Madison Square Garden.

The Stones' Get Out Your YaYas is pretty good, too. As is the Joe Cocker Mad Dogs and Englishmen set. That's a pretty definitive collection of tunes and includes some great interaction with Leon Russell.

The Concert for Bengla Desh was always a favorite and it stands up pretty well over the years.

And maybe the best is the Talking Heads' Stop making Sense. Jonathan Demme's film of the same name is certainly the best concert film I've ever seen.

But, in recent years, I can't think of too many other live recordings that really stand out. Am I missing any good ones?
 

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  • 4/16/2010 6:00 PM Michael wrote:
    Paul,

    All these years I called on you and I never knew you were a vinyl aficianado! Hope to see you at Jerry's on Record Store Day!

    Here's a few live albums worth the listen. Most of them are crap, way too many overdubs.
    Allman Brother - At Fillmore East
    B.B. King - Live at the Regal
    The Who - Live At Leeds
    C.S.N.&Y. - 4 Way Street (Well, the acoustic sides anyway)
    And I'll go way back for a Pittsburgh jazz pianist...Erroll Garner - Concert By The Sea

    Mike Bartus
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  • 4/16/2010 8:48 PM vinyrecordarchitect wrote:
    Michael,
    Great to hear from you here! Did you find me through the Jerry's link?
    I will definitely stop by Jerry's tomorrow. Hope to see you there, too.
    once you return to vinyl, its hard to leave again.
    Reply to this
  • 4/18/2010 9:04 PM Jen wrote:
    Well, it's not recent, but I like Spyboy (1998) by Emmylou Harris. She's maybe not exactly in your canon, but since she recorded with Gram Parsons I consider her to be part of rock history. Spyboy has great arrangements of many of the songs she performs, some in lower keys (in my range!)...

    One of my all-time favorite live recordings is U2's Wide Awake in America, especially its 8-minute version of "Bad."

    And here's my (first) Zeppelin plug: not a live album, rather their live double-DVD of video material recorded at various venues throughout their career. My favorites are the acoustic set from the five performances they did at Earls Court arena in 1975; and the stunning, somewhat naïve performance they gave to an even more naïve Danish audience in 1968. The Danish kids sit there like stones in the face of the onslaught, and I can never figure out whether they simply don't get what Zeppelin is about, or whether they're totally blown away and a response is out of their ken. ... Any rate, watching and hearing 20-year-old Robert Plant sing "How Many More Times" in this way, with his crinkly-velvet suit and slaggy voice, ALMOST allows me to forgive the gods for making me too young to see him in the flesh.

    (I love him on Raising Sand, too.)
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  • 4/18/2010 9:25 PM Paul wrote:
    Jennifer,

    Great suggestions.

    Actually, I have several Emmy Lou Harris albums - my personal favorite is 'Pieces of the Sky'- as well as some GP. There is an interesting line from folk to blues to jug to country that includes everyone from Jim Kweskin to the Rolling Stones. I love the lines of influence that develop in RnR - Hank Williams is behind almost everytthing!

    I am especially interested in seeing ' How Many More Times' now and to hearing 'Bad.'

    So much great music, so little time....
    Reply to this
    1. 4/19/2010 7:58 AM Jen wrote:
      Just remembered while making breakfast this morning: Clapton & Winwood @ MSG. That IS very recent... confess I don't own the entire thing but I like what I own (esp. "Can't Find My Way Home")

      Agree re: Hank Williams. Also think Howlin Wolf et al. are in there too

      cheers
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