What LIVE album do you feel brings you closest to LIVE?

Johnny Vinyl

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May 16, 2010
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We all know that even the best of gear can't duplicate a live performance, but I think we can come somewhat close if we pay attention and really get into the recording. Of course, the recording itself has to be stellar and one should have at least somewhat of a decent rig and have it setup and/or tuned properly. I think its safe to assume that our members here have attained that, whether their system is focused on digital or analog.

Seeing as I've been a member here for quite some time and have followed many discussions, I know that some will feel really tempted to start discussing any and all things technical and how that has to be considered when making a judgement on the topic I created. Please don't. This is NOT about that. This is purely about the recording itself and how close you think it brings you to that feeling of "being there". So put away your math kits and try to stay with the program.

Like many of you, I have a good amount of live recordings that I've acquired through the years and decades. In fact, live recordings are a favourite of mine. I remember as a teenager really getting off (no comments please) and into Steppenwolf Live, the Woodstock 3Lp set and many others. There's an energy about those performances that just sent this 17/18yr old into a state of youthful joy. Over the years I acquired more live recordings and expanded my horizons to include more Blues, Jazz, Swing and other genres. Most of them never really gave me the feeling of being there though.

It wasn't until I heard Jazz At The Pawnshop that I came to understand what could be done on a recording to give you that sensation of almost being at the Stampen as the music was being performed. I've heard a few others since, but not like that. That is until a few years ago when I heard Neil Young - Massey Hall 1971. This 2LP set just blew me away. For me this is the best live recording I have ever heard and when I sit back, close my eyes and listen...I am at Massey Hall in 1971.

What recordings do you have that bring you that almost live feeling?
 

jazdoc

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Aug 7, 2010
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Good call on the Neil Young
Off the top of my head:

Art Pepper - Live at Ronnie Scott's
Phil Woods - Live at Village Vanguard
Damien Jurado - Live at Landlocked
Leonard Cohen - Live in Fredericton EP (The Live In London CD is spectacular redbook CD)
Great Jazz Trio - At the Village Vanguard (get the Eastwind pressing)
Dave Brubeck - Newport 1958 (mono)
Thelonious Monk - At the It Club (Mosaic)
Stanley Turrentine - Up at Minton's, volume 2 (MusicMatters)
Buck Hill - Easy To Love
Nirvana - Unplugged
 

Johnny Vinyl

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Good call on the Neil Young
Off the top of my head:

Art Pepper - Live at Ronnie Scott's
Phil Woods - Live at Village Vanguard
Damien Jurado - Live at Landlocked
Leonard Cohen - Live in Fredericton EP (The Live In London CD is spectacular redbook CD)
Great Jazz Trio - At the Village Vanguard (get the Eastwind pressing)
Dave Brubeck - Newport 1958 (mono)
Thelonious Monk - At the It Club (Mosaic)
Stanley Turrentine - Up at Minton's, volume 2 (MusicMatters)
Buck Hill - Easy To Love
Nirvana - Unplugged


I'm glad you mentioned UNPLUGGED. I think those are wonderfully done. One of my faves there is Alice In Chains.
 

Mike Lavigne

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The Weavers, Reunion at Carniege Hall, 1963.

Classic Records 45 RPM box set.

it might just be the best of the best live albums as far as sounding real.

really an absolutely perfect recording. thee standard for imaging for sure.
 

microstrip

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May 30, 2010
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The Weavers, Reunion at Carniege Hall, 1963.

Classic Records 45 RPM box set.

it might just be the best of the best live albums as far as sounding real.

really an absolutely perfect recording. thee standard for imaging for sure.

Mike,

I was just listening to Wimoweh. Just after I read the title of the thread I went for the AP gold CD (I do not own the LP) and start searching for this song - the one I always use to impress people with a great live performances. As I could not stop listening you preceded me.

Anyway, time to start looking for an LP version ...
 

puroagave

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the art pepper doc mentioned is superb, the box set still available on vinyl but getting harder to source.
the two belafonte at carnegie hall LPs are no-brainers.
John prine live (is there a better story teller?)
kenny G live (better than you think)
the rolling stones stripped
talking Heads - Stop making sense
Wynton Marsalis – Live at the house of Tribes
Clifford Jordan – Live at Ethell’s
Liitle feat - waiting for columbus
Ray brown – Live at the LOA: Summer Wind
Musica Nuda – Live a fip
Misty River – Live at Backgate Stage
Donny Hathaway – Live
Alison Krauss & Union Station – Live
Rodrigo Y Rodrigo – Live in Japan
The Wailin’ Jennys – Live at the Mauch Chunck opera House
Damien Rice – Live at Fingerprints Warts & All
Miles Davis – Live around the world
Jim Hall Quartet – Live at Birdland
Deep Purple – Live on the BBC
Bob Dylan - Bootleg series vol. 4 live 1966 London
Diana Krall – Live in Paris (i'm small Krall fan, but this is good)
The Doors – live in New York
Lightnin Hopkins – Live in New York

And just for peter breuninger...Nils Lofgren – Acoustic Live:D
 

Johnny Vinyl

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the art pepper doc mentioned is superb, the box set still available on vinyl but getting harder to source.
the two belafonte at carnegie hall LPs are no-brainers.
John prine live (is there a better story teller?)
kenny G live (better than you think)
the rolling stones stripped
Wynton Marsalis – Live at the house of Tribes
Clifford Jordan – Live at Ethell’s
Ray brown – Live at the LOA: Summer Wind
Musica Nuda – Live a fip
Misty River – Live at Backgate Stage
Donny Hathaway – Live
Alison Krauss & Union Station – Live
Rodrigo Y Rodrigo – Live in Japan
The Wailin’ Jennys – Live at the Mauch Chunck opera House
Damien Rice – Live at Fingerprints Warts & All
Miles Davis – Live around the world
Jim Hall Quartet – Live at Birdland
Deep Purple – Live on the BBC
Bob Dylan - Bootleg series vol. 4 live 1966 London
Dianna Krall – Live in Paris (i'm small Krall fan, but this is good)
The Doors – live in New York
Lightnin Hopkins – Live in New York

And just for peter breuninger...Nils Lofgren – Acoustic Live:D

That's a long list Rob! Do all of them really transport you there?
 

edorr

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May 10, 2010
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Multi Channel rules. I would have to go with:

Another Stoney Evening - Crosby & Nash on DVD-A
Rendez Vous in New York - Chick Corea and Friends - SACD

On two channel I have a weird one:

Cameron de la Isla - Flamenco Vivo
 

Ronm1

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Feb 21, 2011
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Both of Young's live are well done.
Belafonte @ Carnegie Hall both of them again.
200 more Miles - Cowboy Junkies
Live @ Ronnie Scott's - Claire Martin
Monterey Concerts - Cal Tjader first session is excellent, second not so much. Shame as their are good performances.
 

Johnny Vinyl

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I'm gonna have to get that Belafonte-Carnegie LP as it's twice now I've seen that come up.
 

mep

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Most all live jazz LPs that I own do the trick nicely. The Ray Brown Trio is simply killer.
 

Johnny Vinyl

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with some suspension of disbelief and a little help from profidio or chinaco, yes! ;)

haha! :cool:

While I'm not advocating imbibing, it does mellow you out and relaxes the mind. In my case I feel a stronger emotional connection .
 

NorthStar

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Feb 8, 2011
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Multi Channel rules. I would have to go with:

Another Stoney Evening - Crosby & Nash on DVD-A
Rendez Vous in New York - Chick Corea and Friends - SACD

On two channel I have a weird one:

Cameron de la Isla - Flamenco Vivo

I was quietly waiting for that. :b

* Kal Rubinson would have some great suggestions; without any doubt.
 

Mike Lavigne

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Mike,

I was just listening to Wimoweh. Just after I read the title of the thread I went for the AP gold CD (I do not own the LP) and start searching for this song - the one I always use to impress people with a great live performances. As I could not stop listening you preceded me.

Anyway, time to start looking for an LP version ...

the 45 box set is to die for if you even sorta like the music (i love it).
 

NorthStar

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Feb 8, 2011
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435
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The Weavers, Reunion at Carnegie Hall, 1963.

Classic Records 45 RPM box set.

it might just be the best of the best live albums as far as sounding real.

really an absolutely perfect recording. thee standard for imaging for sure.

I'm gonna have to get that Belafonte-Carnegie LP as it's twice now I've seen that come up.

Add the one Mike recommended too, just above.
 

edorr

WBF Founding Member
May 10, 2010
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I was quietly waiting for that. :b

* Kal Rubinson would have some great suggestions; without any doubt.

Kal is more of a classical music guy I believe.

I have some MCH rock concerts (mainly blu ray), but realistically my system cannot create the illusion of a full blown stadium rock experience. Small ensemble jazz and acoustic rock different story.

On Blu Ray, my vote goes to Return to Forever - Live at Montreux for the most realistic live experience.
 

mauidan

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Bryan Lee & The Jump St. Five - Bourbon St. Beat

Recorded at The Old Absinthe House 11/11/1983
 

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