Live Albums: Are They Worth Adding To Your Collection?

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It's a given - nearly all rock bands (except for maybe The Cars) have released at least one live album some time in their career. Live albums are usually recorded at a specific concert, or as may be the case with Pink Floyd's P*U*L*S*E, throughout an entire tour.

Most acts release a live album suually as part of recording contract. Some contracts require that a live album be released, whereas others require that a CERTAIN number of albums of ANY kind, be released. Usually a live album is used as a "filler," (i.e. to decrease the lag time between new studio albums), or when a band goes on an extended hiatus (such as Styx releasing Caught in The Act in 1984).

While many will tell you that a live performance of a particular song is better than the studio performance, live performances usually have the extra effects of crowds. In some RARE cases, one may find live/studio versions (a la live performance stripped of crowd noises). Perhaps the best example of this is Atlanta Rhythm Section's '96 Album.

Some live albums are considered live compilation albums - a la they will have Greatest Hits or The Best of in their titles. Perhaps the best examples of these types of albums are Foreigners Greatest Hits Live or the Doobie Brothers' Best of Live.

Live albums are generally single disc, but some advanced ones are double disc or even triple discs!

So do I go spend my money on them?

 Good question! It all really depends on one thing - you and your tastes! Many people (myself included) prefer full-on performances as opposed to studio fade-outs. While I wouldn't suggest picing up EVERY live album there is, there are quite a few interesting ones.

Frampton Comes Alive: This one perhaps is the most best-selling live album. It helped to gain Frampton worldwide attention and success. The album features live recordings of hits such as Baby I Love Your Way, Show me The Way, and the lengthy, talkbox-heavy, Do You Feel LIke We Do?  A sequel was released twenty years later.
Live Bullet: Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band cut this recording at a show at the Cobo Theater in Detroit. The album features the hit Turn The Page (which did better than its 1973 issue which you should hear). Other hits on the album include Nutbush City Limits and Travelin' Man/Beautiful Loser.
Eric Clapton Umplugged: This 1992 release features Slowhand's performance for the MTV Unplugged series. It features his dedication to his late son Conor (Tears in Heaven) and not to mention a HEAVY redoing of his signature song, Lalya. He still performs that version today (albeit with electric guitar) due to his inability to go high pitch. A DVD was also released.
The Dance: This is a great live CD/DVD by Fleetwood Mac filmed for a reunion of the classic line-up (Buckingham, Fleetwood, McVie, McVie, Nicks). The record has a live recording of their 1975 smash hit Landslide, which still gets played.

These were just some of the best live albums. There are a number of others. The best ones, in my opinion, are those that are accompanied by a video release.

Having said that, I would rather be pouring my money in greatest hits packages as opposed to live albums, but it's worth having the occassonal live album such as E.C.'s 1992 album (see above). However, you may find that after listening to live recordings for quiet some time, you may prefer to hear the originals. For example, I always long to hear original versions of Frampton's hits, or maybe even have an acoustic, studio recording of Layla.

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