Top 10 Live albums

Any band considered great, or something similar will always sound much greater live than on record, that is a fact. But with many great bands no more, or worse; charging extortionate prices for tickets to stadium shows, there is nothing you can do to improve on owning the record. Well… there’s one thing; meet halfway, and buy a live album. Although live albums receive a lot of bad press, an excellent live album will increase your listening experience tenfold, and some (only some) are a must buy. Here’s countdown of our top ten live albums you shouldn't be without.

10. Glitter and doom; Live – Tom Waits

Tom Waits’ Glitter and doom is a compilation of songs from his 2008 world tour of the same name. Sonically, Waits’ voice is without flaw throughout despite his age, as he showcases more new material than old in what, despite being a compilation of different performances, sounds like one evening’s performance. Being Tom Waits, the new songs are inevitably without flaw, as Waits discography grows only stronger with age. From the opener to the closer, Glitter and doom is spectacular and worth a listen for any Tom Waits fans.

9. Santa Monica ’72 – David Bowie

What is now a fully remastered EMI live album was once an illegally recorded bootleg of which only 250 copies were made. The album is a recording of Ziggy Stardust playing the earlier material to the Santa Monica civic hall. As with any live Bowie album, Ronson’s Width of a circle is a highlight, as is Bowie’s cover of I’m waiting for the man and the live version of Queen bitch. On top of this, of course, is the version of Rock 'n' Roll Suicide to close the set, which it does flawlessly, as you would expect.

8. MTV Unplugged – Nirvana

Released posthumously, Nirvana’s legendary MTV set is often regarded as one of the three-piece’s greatest albums. The LP is done entirely acoustically and is notorious for the various cover versions; mainly the band’s version of Bowie’s 1970 song The man who sold the world and Leadbelly’s Where did you sleep last night? The band also play some of the 'hits', like Come as you are, Pennyroyal tea and Dumb. It is also notorious for the version of Bleach's About a girl, which famously appears on Guitar Hero.

7. Live at Max’s, Kansas City – The Velvet Underground

In 1970, Lou Reed (along with Doug Yule, Billy Yule and Sterling Morrison) hit Max’s, a small café in the US’ deep south, to play a thundering 10-song set. It was recorded just before the band released their final album with Lou Reed, and showcases material from throughout the Velvets’ delightful discography. The record is notable for the frenzied guitarwork on I’m waiting for the man and Reed’s vocal on I’ll be your mirror and Femme Fatale in place of the sacked Nico.

6. Sound of impact – Big Black

Another compilation of live recordings, Sound of impact is the zenith of Steve Albini-fronted industrial-rock pioneers Big Black’s fantastic discography. The album showcases live versions of Big Black’s greatest songs, including a stunning rendition of the band’s flagship song Kerosene and a extra-frightening rendition of Jordan, Minnesota. It encapsulates the aggressive, unparalleled synchronicity of the band perfectly, without being a standard run-of-the-mill live album that documents just one gig. Sound of Impact captures the snarling thunder of a Big Black live show much better than any of the band's other live releases can.

5. Johnny Cash at San Quentin - Johnny Cash

Following his incredibly successful Live at Folsom Prison album, Cash played a concert exclusively for the inmates of San Quentin State Prison. It was released in the June of '69 and went gold little over two months later. Live at San Quentin is notable for the first live performance of San Quentin, one of Cash's greatest tracks, and then three minutes later, the second ever performance of the same song. The prison setting was very apparent, especially through Cash's choice of setlist; on top of San Quentin, the man in black played The Folsom Prison blues, Starkville City Jail and Wanted man- making for one of the greatest live albums ever released.

4. Live at Reading 1992 – Ride

Recorded at the height of their power, Live at Reading sees Ride showcase the highlights of what was their new (in 1992) sophomore album Going Blank Again, as well as perform some of their game changing earlier material to what was almost a home crowd. Live at Reading begins in the same way Going Blank Again begins; with 8 minute (top ten single) Leave them all behind, and from there the band never look back as they delivered what was almost flawless set. In fact, it was the best set of Reading 1992; apart from maybe…

3. Live at Reading – Nirvana

Nirvana’s second consecutive Reading festival appearance in 1992 is often renowned as one of the high points in the band's illustrious history; the band rattled through everything in their discography in a stunning headline performance. They opened with Breed from best-selling album Nevermind, before taking us on a journey through their debut album’s better songs; Negative creep and About a girl, as well as showcasing upcoming album In Utero’s All Apologies and Dumb. The band’s energy fuelled 80 minute set shows the world just why Cobain’s three piece were arguably the best band on the planet at the time of recording, and is especially memorable for Cobain’s unusual choice of clothing; I’d probably call it a toga, but it might be a dressing gown. Who knows? But one thing not up for debate is just how amazing the legendary Reading performance is.

2. Ziggy Stardust and the spiders from Mars’ soundtrack – David Bowie

Essential for any Bowie fan, the “Ziggy live” album is nothing short of essential. With this album, Bowie, Ronson and co. build on their already stunning studio sound at the Hammersmith Apollo in London with what is a recording of the Spiders' most important show. The show is, of course, tainted by the fact that it was the night “Ziggy died”, but aside from the heart-ripping version of Rock ‘n’ roll suicide, the album is riddled with performances that significantly better their studio counterparts. The albums’ highlights include Bowie’s “mash-up” of The wild eyed boy from Freecloud, All the young dudes and Oh! You pretty things, Ronson’s 15 minute rendition of Width of a circle and Velvets cover, White light/white heat. Ziggy live illustrates so beautifully why Bowie was, and still is the best in the business.

And finally, Number One... 

1. Loom (live in Vancouver) – My Bloody Valentine

The year after the mighty MBV finally released their seminal sophomore record Loveless, they embarked on a long tour of Canada and the US. That is where the four-piece recorded Loom, a soundboard recording which perfectly accentuates just why the shoegazing Irish four-piece are quite comfortably one of the greatest bands ever to grace the face of the earth. Until the recent reunion, Loom was easily the best quality MBV bootleg, and although recent recordings have surpassed it in sheer sound quality and bit rate, Loom is still the most rugged sounding, raw live release of the band’s whole discography. Loom is full of alternative tunings, faster riffs, and pulsing basslines that are almost ironed out by the production Loveless, and although the songs are mainly Loveless-era, they are ridden with the energetic punch of the songs from Isn’t It Anything. As if produced by Albini, the vocals are incredibly low on the mix, which highlights the band’s instrumental prowess and Shield's incredible guitar tones. In particular, feedback-soaked opener When you sleep (Loveless’ lead single) sounds almost punk-rock, with its roaring bassline and it’s boomed-Bilinda Butcher vocals. Loom’s other highlights include a version of Only shallow in which Shields almost sounds as if he is at war with the guitar, and a flawless version of my personal favourite, Honey power. More memorably, Loom captures the entire holocaust section at the end of ear-splitting closer, You made me realise, which Shields and co. drag out for just over fourteen minutes. All these factors, and more ensure that this live album is not only, at least in my opinion alone, the greatest live album of all time, but the zenith of My Bloody Valentine's incredible discography.

(WRITTEN BY CALUM CASHIN)