Post by Betterout on Sept 2, 2005 19:50:46 GMT -5
A few weeks ago, Jeff and I were chatting about live concerts. In particular, we were talking about recordings of live performance, both from the popular and the classical genres. Jeff said that he really appreciated the recordings of certain classical pieces because the recordings themselves speak to the shape and depth of the hall, the mood of the audience, and the music's impact on all the surfaces--from the program paper to the empty seatbacks in the theater. All well and good, thought I, but I've always been much more interested in the raw, visceral nature of live rock shows. At its best, it's unpredictable, intense, and incredibly motivating on a physical level. When the act feeds off the crowd and vice versa, it shines through so well, and leaves a very lasting impression. Jeff agreed on some levels, and then asked for a few examples of really great live performances. What a great question! It really got me thinking.
So, I figured anyone who wanted to could mention five to ten of their favorite live recordings. It doesn't have to be rock, of course. It could be anything. If you want, you can even throw in a few words about why that piece means so much to you. One thing, though. It has to be in your personal music collection. It doesn't matter how much I love that version of "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down" by the Band. If I don't have it in my collection, I can't use it. Okay? I'll start.
In no particular order these are some of my favorite live recordings in my collection:
David Bowie, "Rock & Roll Suicide" from Sound + Vision box set
This is my absolute favorite live track of all time. It's from Ziggy...the Motion Picture. It begins with the hands down best utterance from a rock & roller ever: "Not only is it the last show of the tour, but it's the last show that we'll ever do." What genius!
Neil Young, "Powderfinger" from Rust Never Sleeps
I heard this song folding towels in the laundry at the hotel where I worked. I was so moved that I broke down and cried picturing the story Neil was weaving. Later, I bought the disc, and had two similar experiences while driving. I've only cried multiple times listening to the same song with a handful of songs, and this is one that does it almost everytime if I let it.
Elvis Costello, "Less Than Zero" from disc 2 of Rhino reissue of My Aim is True
One of the greatest things about E.C. is that even when his songs are simple and sloppy, they're still excellent songs, and their song-ness is really apparent. This take has a completely new set of lyrics from the album take, and the Attractions are really tight (much tighter than Clover was in the studio). And the Canadian cowboy in the audience shouting "Yahoo!" all the way through it just adds to the rockin' good time.
The Flaming Lips, "One Million Billionth Of A Millisecond On A Sunday Morning" from disc 2 of Finally the Punk Rockers are Taking Acid
This is a phenomenal take on a really amazing song. The band is so obviously into what they're doing, and it really comes through. This track is next to perfect, so the closest thing I could offer as a complaint would be that I really miss the piano track that shows up on the Oh My Gawd... studio version. Wayne & crew, you guys are great.
Willie Nelson, "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" from Honeysuckle Rose
It bothers me so much that many of Willie's best known, best love tracks come from his covers album Stardust, especially when such a wide swath of his original material is just plain fantastic. This is sorta kinda a "fake live" track in that it was recorded live for a movie with all the extras in the audience. But it's still a fine specimen of his gift for combining bar room swagger with earnest song craft.
Built to Spill, "Virginia Reel Around the Fountain" from Live
Ryan once met up with Mandy and me at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Tulsa, Santa Fe. We ate dinner and then decided to cruise on back to his place. When we jumped in the car, he came over to my window and said, "Hey, listen to this track on the way over there." I was blown away. Although I only heard it once that day, I was still humming it months later. A triumph.
Jane's Addiction, "Chip Away" from Jane's Addiction
Wow. It's like Adam Ant meets Queen meets, well, Jane's Addiction! What a rocking song. It grabs you by the gut. When Farrell screams "Uhn, uhn, uhn, uhn, UHN!!!!!!" I can actually feel my body tense up. Jeez, what chutzpah these guys had to release a live album as a debut. But they had the goods, and they delivered in spades.
Jimi Hendrix, big jam ending in "Villanova Junction" from Jimi Hendrix: Woodstock
I remember sitting in my bedroom in our second apartment in Norman listening to his extended discourse delivered via guitar. It struck me just then that God is not concerned with fairness or justice. If she was, then she wouldn't make people like Picasso or Hendrix, folks that are so incredibly talented in so many ways that we mere mortals cannot really hope to be in their league. I cried a lot that day, not because his songs were sad, but because they were so beautifully executed by this young man who had many things to say--and only some of those things came out as words.
So, I figured anyone who wanted to could mention five to ten of their favorite live recordings. It doesn't have to be rock, of course. It could be anything. If you want, you can even throw in a few words about why that piece means so much to you. One thing, though. It has to be in your personal music collection. It doesn't matter how much I love that version of "The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down" by the Band. If I don't have it in my collection, I can't use it. Okay? I'll start.
In no particular order these are some of my favorite live recordings in my collection:
David Bowie, "Rock & Roll Suicide" from Sound + Vision box set
This is my absolute favorite live track of all time. It's from Ziggy...the Motion Picture. It begins with the hands down best utterance from a rock & roller ever: "Not only is it the last show of the tour, but it's the last show that we'll ever do." What genius!
Neil Young, "Powderfinger" from Rust Never Sleeps
I heard this song folding towels in the laundry at the hotel where I worked. I was so moved that I broke down and cried picturing the story Neil was weaving. Later, I bought the disc, and had two similar experiences while driving. I've only cried multiple times listening to the same song with a handful of songs, and this is one that does it almost everytime if I let it.
Elvis Costello, "Less Than Zero" from disc 2 of Rhino reissue of My Aim is True
One of the greatest things about E.C. is that even when his songs are simple and sloppy, they're still excellent songs, and their song-ness is really apparent. This take has a completely new set of lyrics from the album take, and the Attractions are really tight (much tighter than Clover was in the studio). And the Canadian cowboy in the audience shouting "Yahoo!" all the way through it just adds to the rockin' good time.
The Flaming Lips, "One Million Billionth Of A Millisecond On A Sunday Morning" from disc 2 of Finally the Punk Rockers are Taking Acid
This is a phenomenal take on a really amazing song. The band is so obviously into what they're doing, and it really comes through. This track is next to perfect, so the closest thing I could offer as a complaint would be that I really miss the piano track that shows up on the Oh My Gawd... studio version. Wayne & crew, you guys are great.
Willie Nelson, "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" from Honeysuckle Rose
It bothers me so much that many of Willie's best known, best love tracks come from his covers album Stardust, especially when such a wide swath of his original material is just plain fantastic. This is sorta kinda a "fake live" track in that it was recorded live for a movie with all the extras in the audience. But it's still a fine specimen of his gift for combining bar room swagger with earnest song craft.
Built to Spill, "Virginia Reel Around the Fountain" from Live
Ryan once met up with Mandy and me at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Tulsa, Santa Fe. We ate dinner and then decided to cruise on back to his place. When we jumped in the car, he came over to my window and said, "Hey, listen to this track on the way over there." I was blown away. Although I only heard it once that day, I was still humming it months later. A triumph.
Jane's Addiction, "Chip Away" from Jane's Addiction
Wow. It's like Adam Ant meets Queen meets, well, Jane's Addiction! What a rocking song. It grabs you by the gut. When Farrell screams "Uhn, uhn, uhn, uhn, UHN!!!!!!" I can actually feel my body tense up. Jeez, what chutzpah these guys had to release a live album as a debut. But they had the goods, and they delivered in spades.
Jimi Hendrix, big jam ending in "Villanova Junction" from Jimi Hendrix: Woodstock
I remember sitting in my bedroom in our second apartment in Norman listening to his extended discourse delivered via guitar. It struck me just then that God is not concerned with fairness or justice. If she was, then she wouldn't make people like Picasso or Hendrix, folks that are so incredibly talented in so many ways that we mere mortals cannot really hope to be in their league. I cried a lot that day, not because his songs were sad, but because they were so beautifully executed by this young man who had many things to say--and only some of those things came out as words.
