Whatever happened to the live album?
If it's not exactly the million dollar question burning holes deep into the minds of music enthusiasts and rock aficionados everywhere these days, it's still worth a good buck fifty of ink all these years after the fact.
You see, back in the sixties and seventies, live albums ruled.
In fact, for a time there in the early to mid seventies, live albums were considered so crucial to a rock band's career, as to be a make or break proposition.
Consider the case of an otherwise mediocre seventies rock band called Grand Funk Railroad. Grand Funk, at least up to this point, we're not known for making great records. But they absolutely packed them in on the concert trail. And by the time of their third album, Closer To Home they were also finally beginning to get a lot of airplay on FM rock stations, primarily because of the single "I'm Your Captain."
Grand Funk's manager/svengali Terry Knight knew it was time to strike while the iron was hot. And Grand Funk Live Album — released not six months apart from Closer To Home — became an instant phenomenon, built as it was on months of the band's relentless touring. For a minute there, Grand Funk was as big as the Beatles — they even sold out Shea Stadium.
From that point forward, Grand Funk's success became the blueprint for the model of the two-disc live album that served as the prototype for mid-level rock bands to achieve breakthrough success to the multi-platimun ranks of the really big leagues.
The most obvious example of this was Frampton Comes Alive, a two-disc live album which transformed the 3000 seat act Peter Frampton, to sold-out stadiums in less than a year, and, again for about a minute there, made Frampton the biggest selling act on earth.
Of course, all of this was not at all without precedent. Never mind the fact that these days Peter Frampton serves as the punchline to a movie joke where Tommy Chong asks "didn't you used to be Peter Frampton?" — and whether or not such wanton disrespect is appropriate or not.
![Live At Leeds [Deluxe Edition]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jFBPqRXmL._SL120_.jpg)
Article comments
1 - irv
"Got Live If You Want It" is NOT a bootleg. Perhaps you're thinking of "Live'r than you'll ever be"?
Also, interesting that this article comes on the heels of coldplay announcing that they are giving away copies of their live album at their shows and on the 'net starting in a coupla weeks.
2 - JC Mosquito
Grand Funk's Live Album sounds like it was recorded in a toilet while it was still flushing. This is not necessarily a bad thing - during the final song, the 12 minute version of Into the Sun, the guitar squelching feedback, cymbal wash, fuzz bass and audience shrieking combine to reach the same level of sonic assault as the middle of the Velvet Underground's Sister Ray. Who'd've thunk it?
3 - Glen Boyd
You are absolutely correct on that count irv, and I will make the appropriate adjustment. Thank you for pointing it out.
-Glen
4 - Mark Saleski
yeah, i miss 'em too, and do wonder if the availability of online boots is what stops artists at the majors level from issuing live recordings.
it's really a shame because, taking my recent Springsteen show in boston as a prime example, it would be just heaven to have an official release of something like that.
from my post on live albums way back when:
Stones - Get Yer Ya Ya's Out
Who - Live at Leeds
Little Feat - Waiting For Columbus
Grateful Dead - Dead Set
Hendrix - Band of Gypsies
Skynyrd - One More For/From the Road
Cheap Trick - Budokan
J Geils - Full House/Blow Your Face Out
Foghat - Foghat Live
Nugent - Double Live Gonzo
Tubes - What Do You Want From Live
Frampton - Comes Alive
Kiss - Alive
5 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
I agree with Irv,but, who in the hell wants a live Coldplay album?? *Ugh* Bore me to tears & the singer is fucking tone-deaf! Maybe that's why they are giving it away?
"and do wonder if the availability of online boots is what stops artists at the majors level from issuing live recordings."
To be honest, a ton of those bootlegs you can download may be in a lossless format but the original mixes are pretty horrible to begin with. The fidelity is just not there. Even a lot of the "Soundboard" copies seem to be missing something - Probably, the quality of the unit they were being transferred to?
Personally, I think the art of live recording has been lost along with the pride in equipment.
I don't think a lot of the bands today really care about matching or adapting the tonality of their instruments nor the actual quality versus the brand name.
Anyways, I think the artists could stand to benefit from releasing more live material. And, with these releases consisting of double CDs containing quality egineered shows, proper booklets/media & packaging,I think people would gobble 'em up.
6 - Clarence Yu
Live albums (undoctored) really show you how good a band was. Hope that bands start releasing them again!
7 - Don
At some point the live albums being released changed from a document of the band/artist at a particular phase of their career, to a "greatest hits" album.
There are still some great live albums being released, although the only one that comes to mind right now is Wilco's Kicking Television.
Regarding GFR, I think Homer put it best,
"Grand Funk Railroad paved the way for Jefferson airplane, which cleared the way for Jefferson starship. The stage was now set for the Alan Parsons project, which I believe was some sort of hovercraft."
8 - JC Mosquito
Yes, parts of GFR Live sound like a hovercraft, that's fer shure.
9 - El Bicho
With bands making whole tours available for sale, doesn't seem to be much incentive to just make a single album to document it like in the old days.
I am surprised more bands/artists don't take advantage, though. They are losing a revenue stream.
There's a rumor that Bruce is thinking of releasing an album entirely of the covers he is performing on this tour.
10 - Warren Kelly
I wonder if it's because of the way music is sold today. A live album was often the only way you could hear all of your favorite songs from a band on one record/tape/CD. Today, all I have to do is head over to iTunes (or a Torrent file) to get all the singles that I want. I can even create my own set list if I want to. I don't need to have a recording of a live show.
I also think that modern production has killed the live album. People have a specific standard in mind when they buy a CD, and live albums are not usually as well produced as their studio counterparts. Never mind that you miss out on a lot by listening to the produced version; never mind that the music is more raw or genuine played live.
AND, ultimately, the DVD killed the live album. Why just listen to a live performance when you can listen AND see it?
11 - Greg Barbrick
"Consider the case of an otherwise mediocre seventies rock band called Grand Funk Railroad."
This is an absolutely unconscionable abuse of editorial prerogative! I will be assisting Sir Terry Knight in defamation proceedings shortly.
12 - Glen Boyd
Nice list Mark. But you forgot these:
Uriah Heep Live
Black Oak Arkansas - Raunch N Roll Live
Deep Purple - Made In Japan
Blue Oyster Cult - On Your Feet Or On Your Knees
Genesis - Seconds Out
Rush - All The Worlds A Stage
Yes - Yessongs
Emerson Lake & Palmer - Welcome Back My Friends
Aerosmith - Live Bootleg
Ramones - Its Alive
....and the list goes on and on.
-Glen
13 - Glen Boyd
Greg,
So sorry to offend your oh so delicate sensibilities. Tell Mr. Knight to bring it.
-Glen
14 - thrasher
Great rundown Glen!
How about Neil Young's Live Rust!
Hey, think you can change that ad on your review? Important subject, but kinda gross.
15 - Glen Boyd
I'm truly embarrased that I missed Live Rust Thrasher -- consider that faux pas corrected with my humble apologies. Definitely one of the great ones.
As for those damn ads, unfortunately that faux pas is a bit out of my control...
-Glen
16 - Mat Brewster
There's a rumor that Bruce is thinking of releasing an album entirely of the covers he is performing on this tour.
I think I heard Josh Hathaway's head explode.
Officially I'll say I'd love to see more officially released live shows as well. But I can't make myself care too much with the over abundant amount of high quality bootlegs out there.
17 - Glen Boyd
I think they should call that one, "Cover Me." Okay, maybe a bit too obvious....
-Glen
18 - JC Mosquito
A few more for the listologists (pardon any repeats):
Dream Syndicate " The Day Before Wine and Roses
Ten Years After - Recorded Live
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band " Live!
Rain Parade " Beyond the Sunset
Television " The Blow Up
The Band " Rock of Ages
The Guess Who " Live at the Paramount (reissue)
The Replacements " The S*** Hits the Fans
Jefferson Airplane " Bless Its Pointed Little Head
Mott the Hoople " Live
Golden Earring " Live
19 - Greg Barbrick
Where is Rush "All The World's A Stage"
Dude??
20 - Guess I Oops There
Trade ya a bootleg "Metallic KO" fer a pass...
21 - Glen Boyd
Greg,
See comment #12
-Glen
22 - Glen Boyd
Pointed Head is definitely a great one Skeeter...great call there.
23 - Mark Saleski
Cover Me has already been used.
24 - JP
I'd also throw in that the Muse release "HAARP" from last year is quite good and reached as high as #2 in the charts in many countries outside the US.