Over the years I’ve become accustomed to being disappointed with recordings of rock concerts and generally avoid buying them. I’ve found that they often suffer from one or more of (a) the loudness of the concert masking weaknesses in the performance which are all too obvious when the recording is played (b) the acoustics of the auditorium make the recording flat or distant and (c) the audience seems separate from the performance of the band so it all feels a bit contrived. There are exceptions, I know, and playing one this evening has caused me to think I should pose the question what do you think is the best? The one I’m going to nominate is this:
The opening song, Thunderstruck, sets a very high standard. The performance of every instrument is spot on, and the interaction of the crowd makes for a wonderful ‘almost-being-here’ atmosphere. It always gives me goosebumps and the need to take a breath at the end of the performance. That sort of ‘connection’ is what good music should be able to do to in my book.
No live album I've heard since 1969 beats "Live Dead" by the Grateful Dead. Not even anything in the "Europe '72 set even though they are all consistently brilliant.
Posted on: 08 March 2014 by J.N.
I'm currently enjoying Wishbone Ash 'Live Dates II'. Very well produced on vinyl (a double) and CD.
John.
Posted on: 08 March 2014 by Mike1380
Being an Iron Maiden fan, just from their catalogue I can choose from "Live After Death", "A Real Live One", "A Real Dead One", "Live At Donington 1992" ( I was at that one), "Rock In Rio", "Death On The Road" and "Flight 666"
Needless to say, I'm well catered for here, but the first attempt with "Live After Death" remains their best....
However... there does not end the story...
Do we class the mighty Floyd as rock? If so, Pulse rates as the finest production and recording I have on a live, large venue recording.
Dave Grohl features on other things... Nirvana's "Live Unplugged" is exceptional, and is ably followed by the Foo Fighters with their "Skin and Bones" acoustic performance.
Folk consider The Who with "Live in Leeds" as theoretically the finest live album ever, to which I counter Thin Lizzy "Live and Dangerous" as the most listenable live album I own.. although so much was cut back into this in the studio as post production, that I don't really believe it qualifies as a live album.
Ultimately, it comes down to Maiden or AC DC for me.
MDS's nomination is a belter. I've heard Thunderstruck on his system and it is visceral. I've also ( thanks to a generous housewarming gift from a fellow naimee neighbour, thank you) heard that track on my LP12, but I haven't got around to hearing the rest of it yet.
For me, the jury is out.
Maiden or DC.
Time will tell, and I'll report back.
Posted on: 08 March 2014 by MDS
Some good suggestions here. I can feel a shopping list being written. And my definition of 'rock' was intended to be broad and would certainly include Floyd so keep 'em coming.
Posted on: 08 March 2014 by fatcat
My vote goes to Robin Trower Live. Recorded in Stockholm by the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation, maybe a clue to why it sounds so awesome. It's just like you're sat in the front row.
The songs are pretty good as well.
Posted on: 08 March 2014 by Wugged Woy
Two BIG recommendations earlier. Firstly, Wishbone Ash 2 (careful of the number ) from John. Secondly, Trower live from Fatcat. Both superb. I give a '+1' to both of you guys
Posted on: 08 March 2014 by Loki
Don't forget Clapton unplugged: seriously well recorded.
Posted on: 08 March 2014 by mutterback
Before the Flood
Posted on: 08 March 2014 by Olly
If it's a broad definition of rock you're applying these two long term faves surpass anything either band cut in the studio IMHO and whatever you might think of the recording quality both have atmosphere in spades. I might just have a quick blast of Sweet Home Alabama, Whiskey Rock & Roller and Lowell's fabulous slide playing on Mercenary Territory!
Olly
Posted on: 09 March 2014 by ewemon
Posted on: 09 March 2014 by ewemon
Posted on: 09 March 2014 by ewemon
Originally Posted by Olly:
If it's a broad definition of rock you're applying these two long term faves surpass anything either band cut in the studio IMHO and whatever you might think of the recording quality both have atmosphere in spades. I might just have a quick blast of Sweet Home Alabama, Whiskey Rock & Roller and Lowell's fabulous slide playing on Mercenary Territory!
Olly
The only issue I might take up is that multiple tracks on this were overdubbed in the studio before release.
Thin Lizzy Live and Dangerous was the same as it has a lot of studio reworking.
Mind you the Allman Brothers album had a harmonica taken off one of the tracks because Tom Dowd didn't like it
Posted on: 09 March 2014 by joerand
C'mon! Do you two know what "best" means? It's a superlative. There's only one.
........ OK, maybe this, too .....
Posted on: 09 March 2014 by Steve C
For me still the greatest sounding live album.
Posted on: 09 March 2014 by Olly
Fair point, but even if not overdubbed a live recording will be edited - it's not just the tape running from start to finish of the gig. So just how much "interference" stops a recording being a "fair" representation of a band in concert?
The reason I love the Skynyrd album is the sense I get from it of Ronnie van Zant really enjoying himself on stage, the sense of a showman in his element, living and preforming in the moment. That's why I prefer it to any of their studio albums.
Olly
Posted on: 09 March 2014 by ewemon
Originally Posted by Olly:
Fair point, but even if not overdubbed a live recording will be edited - it's not just the tape running from start to finish of the gig. So just how much "interference" stops a recording being a "fair" representation of a band in concert?
The reason I love the Skynyrd album is the sense I get from it of Ronnie van Zant really enjoying himself on stage, the sense of a showman in his element, living and preforming in the moment. That's why I prefer it to any of their studio albums.
Olly
It's a great album Olly and they were a great band live as I saw them a few times and they never disappointed.
Posted on: 09 March 2014 by ewemon
Originally Posted by Steve C:
For me still the greatest sounding live album.
I don't know how I forgot this album.
Posted on: 09 March 2014 by osprey
This at least is as live as it can get
In order to present a true historical documentation of this group in person, editing of any nature has been avoided. The musical content of all selections has been left totally unchanged from the original tapes. There has been no technical assistance added to this recording such as echo and all events are presented here exactly as they occured.
This album is an actual live recording of Grand Funk Railroad in concert. It has been assembled to be played in sequence from Side One through Side Four without interruption.
Total playing time is one hour and twenty minutes.
) from John. Secondly, Trower live from Fatcat. Both superb. I give a '+1' to both of you guys 
