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  • Wud Steen wrote on November 14, 2006 report

    Any FZ live album is better than most of the ones listed here...

  • Frank Lynch wrote on November 18, 2006 report

    You'd normally expect a "stake in the ground" column like this to provoke a lot of comments, but this one hasn't so far. Perhaps it's because of the content vs. the arena (rock albums in a jazz site), perhaps it's because of the registry process. Dunno.

    I think the list is pretty good, and I think the parameters are also fairly spot on. For instance, I hate too much crowd, whether they're singing along or whether they've been mixed in too loudly (I sold my copy of Frampton Comes Alive the same afternoon I heard it.)

    Here are a couple I think are worth being in my Top 20:

    Taj Mahal's "The Real Thing" (this would actually rise into my top 10). You can't argue with the clever idea of singing with a tuba quartet, heavy use of steel body guitar, fifes, and so on. Some great blues pieces. Perhaps it wouldn't qualify for 'rock,' I dunno, to each his own.

    John Sebastian's "Cheapo Cheapo Productions Presents Real Live John Sebastian." Can rock be a two-man band? I guess that's part of the question. The song selection is heavy with Lovin' Spoonful tunes, but sprinkled in are 50's oldies, the odd bit of great blues harmonica, Jimmie Rodgers, and incredible warmth. It feels homey, spontaneous, and VERY live.

  • Frank Lynch wrote on November 18, 2006 report

    Ooops. This is the kind of thing which invites multiple re-thinks. Van Morrison's "It's Too Late To Stop Now" is top 5.

  • Adam Blake wrote on December 17, 2006 report

    A list of live rock albums that lists Crosby Stills Nash and Young's "Four Way Street", and Bob Dylan's "Before The Flood" above "The Who Live At Leeds" really should be ignored and/or deleted. This is especially depressing coming from a jazz critic. The way The Who play off each other on this record, recorded at their peak in 1970, is quite unique. The empathy between Moon and Entwistle on the instrumental bridge of "Shakin' All Over" - to name just one highlight of the disc - is as exciting and astonishing in rock terms as the interplay between Tony Williams and Ron Carter is in jazz.

    I highly recommend that anybody paying attention should play this record at top volume, even as you frisbee the CSNY disc across the room.

  • Ken Dryden wrote on February 03, 2007 report

    Sorry, but I agree with the Frank Zappa fan. No other rock artist put out so many amazing live recordings. I like CSNY, but their vocals are horribly out of tune in spots of Four Way Street (which I've owned since it came out on vinyl). The Who's Live at Leeds is the only one that I own on Bailey's list; I have no interest in the rest of his top ten.

    Why not include The Byrds' Untitled? Yeah, I know half of it consists of studio stuff.

  • C. Michael Bailey wrote on March 11, 2007 report

    I am surprised at the late dates of these comments. This series is almost 10 years old.

    I will allow that it was boneheaded of me to omit "The Who Live at Leeds" particularly the Deluxe issue. That was Rock music at its finest.

  • Paul Kemp wrote on May 21, 2009 report

    Top 12
    Bob Dylan Live 1966,
    Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsies
    Allman Bros Live at the Filmore East,
    James Brown Live at the Apollo
    Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Club
    Lou Reed Rock n Roll Animal
    The Who Live at Leeds
    Neil Young Live Rust
    Led Zeppelin How the West Was Won
    Captain Beefheart Railroadism
    Otis Redding Live in Europe
    Mothers of Invention Live Filmore East 1971

  • George Craig Pinson wrote on July 24, 2010 report

    My Top 15 additions. Hope you like:

    1. GUESS WHO - Live at the Paramount. A band who's Live shows differed from their Top 40 status and showed they could Burn with Best of them. Great Songs, Great Vocals, killer twin Guitar attack.

    2.JOHNNY WINTER - Second Album. The Live second disc off the Legacy Edition release. This live set destroys any other live Johnny Winter album. Would have been hailed as one of the All - Time best had it been released seperately.

    3. JERRY GARCIA BAND - Let It Rock. Incredible interplay between J.G., Nicky Hopkins, Ron Tutt, and John Kahn. This band smokes showing how Jerry was good at picking players who could communicate well in any sitting.

    4. ELVIS PRESLEY - On Stage. The King could still matter when he listened to his heart and not the Colonel. Great Memphis Soul, fantastic band.

    5. MOBY GRAPE - Live. Incredible look at this bands Live Chops.

    6. LUCINDA WILLIAMS - Live at the Fillmore. One of our great Songwriters and her ability too bring her songs too life.

    7. THE BYRDS - Live at Royal Albert Hall 1971. This edition of the Byrds was a tight unit who brought their own identidy too the songs. Great Rock and Roll.

    8. LYNYRD SKYNYRD - One For the Road. This is one of the few "Southern" groups whose live material came close to the Allmans. This album, especially the 2 disc re-release shows how fantastic this band was live.

    9. LED ZEPPELIN - How the West was Won. Led Zep, nothing more too say.

    10. GOV"T MULE - With a Little Help from Our Friends. The Mule in all their Ragged Glory. Seek out the 4 disc CD for Full Effect.

    11. RARE EARTH - In Concert. Hard to Find but this groups mix of Detroit Rock and Motown Soul is a potent mixture.

    12. J.GEILS BAND - Blow Your Face Out. This live album will burn your speakers. One of the few bands whose 2nd Live Album is a worthy equal too their first.

    13. NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALL STARS- Boulderado. This is one of the great Rock and Blues CD. One listen and you can see why Luther Dickinson was invited too join the Blac Crowes.

    14. JIMMY PAGE and THE BLACK CROWES - Live at the Greek. Led Zep and The Black Crowes. Nothing more needs too be said.

    15. DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS - Live at Austin Texas. The best of the new Southern Rock Groups. Awesome songwriting, fantastic twin Guitars, and an adoring crowd.

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