This month we are going to devote a bit of electronic ink to some 1970s live rock recordings and some trends that are developing in that arena. One item of discussion will address the recently inaugurated labels by the Allman Brothers Band and Little Feat, each with the goal of releasing aural archival footage from early live shows. A bit of background may be gleaned from the recently completed series, The Ten Best Live Rock Recordings . Save that, we will then turn our attention to some of the new live jazz that has been recently released.

The Allman Brothers Band
American University Washington, D.C. 12/13/70
Allman Brother Band Records
2002

It all started with The Grateful Dead. After thirty years on the road, the band started to release on their recorded live shows for public consumption. Now the Allman Brothers Band has added their two cents to the live mix with American University Washington, D.C. 12/13/70. Chronologically speaking, this live performance occurs after The Allman Brothers Band: Fillmore East, February 1970 (Grateful Dead 4063, 1996) and Live At Ludlow Garage, 1970 (Polydor 843260, 1993) and before The Fillmore Concerts (Polydor 517294, 1992). It is an interesting testament of a band on its way to the perfection of The Fillmore Concerts. The usual suspects are here: "Statesboro Blues," "You Don't Love Me," and "Whipping Post." The sound is acceptable and the disc serves as an idea of musical germination in exceptional musicians.

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Little Feat
Raw Tomatoes and Ripe Tomatoes
Hot Tomato 001
2002

Ditto Little Feat. These are the first two installments of what is promised to be a long line of live material. Aside from the shotgun presentation, the sonics are good and the live performances with and sans Lowell George and loud and exciting. Spans 30 years of the band's history.

Visit the Little Feat and Hot tomato Records .

Rory Gallagher
Irish Tour
Buddah 7446599650
1999

Remastered and crystalline in all of its beer-sodden glory, formerly Irish Tour, 1974 is back as bright as a new penny. The sound is greatly improved and the only shame about the release is that no additional tracks could be unearthed and included. I suspect that this quibble can be dampened by the fact that The BBC Sessions (Buddha 99649) was released in 1999. From the incendiary "Cradle Rock" to the Dorian "A Million Miles Away" to the relentless "Who's that Coming," Gallagher proved that he was the greatest Irish rocker. Gallagher's "I Wonder Who" is definitive. If that is not enough, check out the DVD for which this release was the soundtrack. rock and roll in all of its sweaty glory.

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Jimmy Smith
Cool Blues
Blue Note RVG Edition 35587
2002

It is about time this gem was re-released and more than appropriate that it was released as a Rudy Van Gelder edition remaster. Small's Paradise, New York City, April 7, 1958. All selections are lengthy and the band cooks. Add Babs Gonzales's over the top introduction to "An Insane Night At Small's Paradise" and this is an instant classic. The front of Lou Donaldson and Tina Brooks make this a bluesfest. This recording is what the late 1950s Blue Note was all about. Long and well constructed jams reveal dense and pristine musicianship.

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Dr. Robert Stewart
The Movement—Live At The World Stage
Exodus
2003

West Coast Saxophonist Robert Stewart turns in a searing and spirited live performance at the World Stage. This disc also has the distinction of being the late drummer Billy Higgins's final recording. Stewart opens the disc with his own funky "Judgement" from his RED Records release of the same name. He follows this with "Get Out" and an upbeat "Days of Wine and Roses." The disc is concluded with lengthy investigations of Ellington's "Caravan" and John Coltrane's "Impressions." Richard Grant provides trumpet support and can play the blues with the best of them. But, in the end it is Stewart who plays with all of the fire and conviction of the spiritually renewed.

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Gerry Mulligan
The Midas Touch—Live in Berlin
Concord Jazz
2003

Midas Touch was recorded about a year before Mulligan's unexpected death. The baritonists/arranger was absolutely no worse the wear. He proves his claim as the greatest jazz baritonist by strolling through nine well-chosen and performed tunes with a crack quartet. Mulligan and company sets the pace and mood with the opening Mulligan blues "Out Back of the Barn." Everyone concerned most particularly Mulligan and pianist Ted Rosenthal provided spirited, if not hotly inspired, solos.

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Mike Longo Trio
Live—the Detroit International Jazz Festival
CAP records 971
2003

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