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Most Impressive Live Recording

I am looking for great recordings of live music. Something with impressive dynamic range that knocks your socks off and makes you feel you are really there.

So far, the top five most impressive Live CD recordings I own are;

#1: (And this one wins by a long long way) Tower of Power, Soul Vaccination, "What is Hip?"....if this doesn't completely blow you away then you may have a problem with your system.

#2: M People, Bizarre Fruit Live & Remixed, "Search for the Hero" (live version)

#3: Eagles, Hell Freezes Over, "Hotel California"

#4: Dire Straits, Money for Nothing, "Telegraph Road"

#5: Bryan Adams, MTV Unplugged, "Heaven"

Sadly there is a big difference between the quality of number 1 versus number 5....live recordings, it seems, are simply very hard to do well.

Anyone care to throw out some of their favorites? ( Note: This is not a favorite artist/musician thread....just great live recordings....whatever the genre)
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Showing 4 responses by tvad

tvad's avatar
tvad
11,450 posts
 
Comes immediately to mind...Chuck Mangione - "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" - "Children of Sanchez"
tvad's avatar
tvad
11,450 posts
 
You've got some great music headed your way.

I'd like to mention one more...

Brand X - "Livestock". Every time I play it, I'm amazed that it's a live recording. Just outstanding.
tvad's avatar
tvad
11,450 posts
 
I have to say I like "Exit Stage Left" much more than "Rush in Rio" for many of the reasons mentioned by Reubent.

Back to the Most Impressive Live Recording...Bill Evans Trio "Waltz for Debby", especially the 20bit remastered version sounds so real it's scary.
tvad's avatar
tvad
11,450 posts
 
Runner up was Chuck Mangione Live ay Hollywood Bowl Children of Sanchez....thanks Tvad for that recommendation! This recording is extremely impressive too but I did not quite get the feeling they were in the room ...maybe it was the 70 piece orchestra that didn't fit!
I have to admit that my CD version, while excellent, doesn't have the same visceral impact as the vinyl copy that I wore the groove off of in the late 70s.

You might check out the original studio release of "Sanchez". The recording sounds live, even if it isn't. Very, very impressive. The musicians will definitely be "in the room".

Another suggestion of a recording that will put the band in you listening room is Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band "Swingin' for the Fences". It's a studio recording, but you'll swear the band's in front of you.
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