I was inspired by the double album thread to start this one: what are the best live albums ever? I see no need to stick to a fixed number of albums on your list, though.
Yes—Yessongs. Triple live album from… 1973, I think? Fantastic stuff. The didn’t do “South Side of the Sky” because they said they weren’t able to make it sound good live, but I saw them do it live last year, and it sounded fine. Regardless, this is a kick-ass record.
They Might Be Giants—Severe Tire Damage. This one dates from around 1998 or so, I think. They really do some great interpretations of their stuff, and their special “Planet of the Apes” suite really is one for the fans. I love seeing them do “Shoehorn with Teeth” live, but I’m not sure if it would translate as well into a recording.
Yes—9012Live. I think this came out in 1984. Maybe I just dig this one because of their excellent cover of “Amazing Grace,” plus “Whitefish,” which is about the only reference to Drama that I can recall Yes making since I first got into them back in 1983.
Jefferson Airplane—Thirty Seconds Over Winterland. Released in 1973, just after they broke up, even one of the band members have sneered at this record, referring to it as a “turd.” Well, I don’t care. I think it’s fantastic, especially the version of “Twilight Double Leader” that appears on it.
Jefferson Starship—Across the Sea of Suns. 2001 or so. The latter-day Jefferson Starship isn’t doing much worth noting but live shows and live albums. This one breathes new life into their old classics, including a rockin’ good version of “Law Man.”
It’s Alive - The Ramones. Not only a fantastic record of the frenzy that was a Ramones’ concert, but I was at the Rainbow in Finsbury Park on New Year’s Eve 1977 when it was recorded.
**Allman Brothers ** - Live at the Fillmore East
**Renaissance ** - Live At Carnegie Hall
**Rolling Stones ** - Git Yer Ya-yas Out
**Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band ** - Live In New York City
James Brown–Live at the Apollo
Otis Redding–Live in Europe
Van Morrison–It’s Too Late to Stop Now
Bob Dylan and the Band–Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Live 1966 The “Royal Albert Hall” Concerts
The Who–Live at Leeds
Tom Waits: Nighthawks At the Diner. (Yes, I know it’s really recorded in a studio with an “audience” to simulate everything about a live set but with better sound quality, but I love it regardless.)
Portishead: PNYC at the Roseland Ballroom.
U2: Rattle and Hum.
Ben Folds: Live.
A great live album. Zevon went out and found a band that made a living doing covers of his stuff, and recorded a wild set with them. It’s fantastic. It’s so wild that Zevon claimed to have no memory of recording it…
Allman Brothers Band – Live at Fillmore East The Who – Live at Leeds (extended versions) Lyle Lovett – Live in Texas Taj Mahal – The Real Thing Elton John – 11/17/70