Top 10 Live Concerts
kiffsta -- Sun, 02/25/2007 - 01:09
Hi Team
I have just joined this forum, I have a Pioneer \ Dali 7.1 system and am a huge fan of live music, I have put the top 10 DVD's (that I own) below, let me know your top 10 as well. I need inspiration ebfore my next shopping trip.
Kiffsta
1 Phil Collins - Live in Paris 2 DVD set
2 Metallica The Videos 1989 - 2004 9 not libe, but makes my sub sing)
3 The Best of Ringo Starr and his all starr band so far ... (Sunshine of your love..awesome)
4. ACDC live in donnington
5 Michael buble - Caught in the Act
6. Blue Man Group - Complex Rock Tour
7 Robbie Williams - Live in Knebworth
8 The Eagles, hell freezes over
9 Santana - supernatural
10 Bryan Adams - live in lisbon
Im located in Brisbane, Australia
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My criteria would be those that combine music, performance, and audio and video quality. My top 10 would be:
Alison Krauss and Union Station Live
Andrea Bocelli Amore Beneath the Desert Sky
Boz Scaggs Greatest Hits Live
Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Friends
Cream Reunion
DeJohnete, Hancock, Holland, Metheny In Concert
Diana Krall Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival
Lee Ritenour Overtime
Sessions At West 54th, The: Volume 1
Sting: All This Time
Other favorites that miss out on one of the criteria:
Casino Lights '99
Concord Jazz - Live at Montreux
Jane Monheit Live at the Rainbow Room
Pat Metheny Group: Speaking of Now, Live
Steely Dan: Two Against Nature
I appreciate jfm's comments, and I would second his/her choice of the Alison Krauss and Sessions at 54th St.
Though not a DVD, to this I would add Eva Cassidy's "Live at Blues Alley" as a not too well known "must have" live disc.
For Cream fans, if jfm refers to the 2005 Royal Albert Hall discs, I must caution that the audio is not great.
CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC
tmartin, thanks for your feedback.
Yes, also like Eva live.
Am interested to hear your specific criticism of the Cream dvd's audio. Thanks.
I prefer Blue Man Group - Complex Rock Tour ,it's great
I thought I'd add a few more contemporary rock suggestions to the list, opting for performance-first merit. All of these have been remastered as well. In no way is this a Top 10 list, just a list of some enjoyable titles.
Bob Dylan Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1963-65
Iron Maiden Live After Death
Jimi Hendrix Live at Monterrey
Nirvana Unplugged in New York
U2 Zoo TV Live From Sydney
AC/DC Plug Me In
Very Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show
Bob Gendron
Music Editor, TAS and Playback
Asleep at The Wheel - Live at Billy Bob's Texas
The entire CD is great, but the version of Freddy Fender's "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" is stellar.
The Paul Brady Songbook
Not exactly a live concert, but a live performance inside a historic building interspersed with interviews and background info. It includes a great version of "Crazy Dreams."
Since Bob included the Johnny Cash, I've got to list
Bob Dylan: The Other Side of the Mirror - Live at the Newport Folk Festival.
A must-have for any Dylan fan.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Steven, didn't TAS publish a list of best music DVD a few months ago?
Sorry about the double post on the Dylan DVD, but it IS that good.
I'll add
The Last Waltz in Blu-Ray format.
and The Cream Royal Albert Hall Concert, but in DVD-HD format (gotta use those players for something beides door-stops and boat anchors.)
I haven't heard the regular DVD, but the DVD-HD sounds very nice.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
I agree re: The Last Waltz, but have only seen the DVD version. I would add:
- CONCERT FOR GEORGE
I'm surprised no one else mentioned it (at least in the portions of the thread I read), but I have to add Concert for George. The quality of the sound and the picture are excellent and the performances are amazing.
Seperately, father and daughter, Joe Brown and Sam Brown, almost steal the show w/ their respective versions of "Here Comes the Sun" and "Horse to the Water" (Sam really belts it out)!
Particularly moving is Eric Clapton's version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", which closes w/ a beautifully composed extended guitar solo.
- CROSSROADS GUITAR FESTIVAL (2004 and 2007)
Lastly, while I'm sure this will show my particular bias for Clapton performances, I have to add Crossroads Guitar Festival (2004) and Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 for the excellent performances and the great sound and picture quality.
On the 1st Crossroads Jeff Beck's performance of "Since We've Ended as Lovers" alone is worth the price of the disk (and the bass solo by Tal Wilkenfeld with more jazzy chops than should be possible for a 17 or 18 yr old). Also check out Susan Tedeschi's performance of "Little by Little".
The 2nd Crossroads DVD also contains an embarrassment of riches in terms of great performaces: David Hidalgo's "Neighborhood" (with terrific backing from Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn and Booker T.); Robert Cray's emotionally harrowing "Time Takes Two" and Larry Carlton's funky "Josie". My favorite performance, however, is probably Eeric's performance of "I Shot the Sheriff", which includes a funky-reggaefied slow-build intro that holds up to the blistering solo later in the song. Also check out the disc's extras, including snippets of footage from one of the smaller stages that led to my discovery of Tab Benoit's fantastic Louisiana Bayou-inflected blues, and Australian guitar prodigy Orianthi and her very Santana-esque tone.
"Last Waltz" is a perfect choice.
On the classic-rock front, it goes without saying that Zeppelin's s/t 2-DVD set is a must. Forgot to add that earlier. Avoid "Song Remains the Same" no matter what format. Oh, how I wish the band would authorize the Cleveland show that became "Destroyer," the most famous bootleg of all-time.
Bob Gendron
Music Editor, TAS and Playback
The two best live bands I've seen lately are Rose Hill Drive and Explosions in the Sky. They will blow your mind.
No. You misunderstand We (I) don't care about seeing bands live...
Standing for hours, listening to fellow concert-goers' inane cell-phone conversations, having to use the public and usually only semi-sanitary bathrooms...spare me...
We are taling about Live performances on DVD, BLU-Ray, or DVD-HD.
I'm from Boulder where Rose Hill Drive started and are based. I've never felt a strong desire to see them live. I know I'm old. I've seen my share of split and regurgitated beer...I don't need to see more.
:roll:
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
I'm so sorry to have offended you Mr. Stone, but perhaps it is time you get off your high and mighty couch and man up so you can hear the real thing. There's no higher fidelity than being there.
I think the original post makes it clear that the author was interested in "recorded" live music, but the thread name which specifically calls out "Live" concerts is confusing.
Anyway, peace be with those who enjoy live music.
by your thinking.
Is a "live" concert where there isn't a single acoustic instrument that isn't amplified through a Marshall stack or a 2000 watt PA really about a "High Fidelity" music experience?
It is a really good way to go deaf before you're 30.
Hey don't get me wrong I like amplified music...
I saw the Allman Brothers (original lne-up), Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Doors, Paul Butterfield, The original Jeff Beck Band, The Dead with Pigpen, Led Zepellin (on their first US gig at Fillmore East before their first album even came out), Traffic, Bob Dylan with the Band, and another page full of acts before I was even old enough to drink and drive. I started using earplugs right after I photographed the MC-5 when it took a week for my ears to stop ringing.
I still have all the negatives of the live concert photographs I took from 1969 on (which ran in Creem, Boston Pheonix, and the The Real Paper.) I even stayed sober enough to make sure the shots were in focus.
In the mid 70's through the early eighties I was involved with the Boston club "Spit." It premiered a little Irish band called U2. I have shots of Bono walking around barefoot backstage. He was actually cute in those days.
As for "manning up" - to who, for what?
At least I'm not too senile to be able to read a subject line...
:oops:
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Steve,
I noticed that you mention in your posting that you have negatives from photos that you took at concerts from '69.
Have you ever, or would you consider selling any or all of these??
You can send me an email reply to vintagerockphotos [at] tds [dot] net
Thanks,
Michael
You ask: "by your thinking.
Is a "live" concert where there isn't a single acoustic instrument that isn't amplified through a Marshall stack or a 2000 watt PA really about a "High Fidelity" music experience?"
I can say: yes. By one school of thought, high fidelity is about recreating the artist's intentions faithfully. If the artist uses amplified music (e.g. a Marshall Stack), then that's what the artist intended (or so we must assume).
I've read The Absolute Sound since issue 1, and I think we're confusing two things here:
1. Harry Pearson suggested that for the evaluation of hi-fi equipment that unamplified music was a better reference because there is less variation in the sound of a Strad or a Bosendorfer than there is in the sounds of Strats played through Marshall stacks with all the various settings possible.
2. Harry Pearson coined the phrase "the absolute sound" to refer to live music.
Thus, as a practical matter, Harry suggested that The Absolute Sound use, for practical reasons, live unamplified versions of the absolute sound as an aid in conducting equipment reviews. Nothing in my reading of this suggests that this approach involves a musical judgement that unamplified music is "better" in a musical sense.
So, live music, by definition, is the absolute sound. That is to say, the ultimate in "fidelity" is by definition the thing itself.
I understand that you have bad memories of concerts. So don't go. But why rain on the parade of other people who enjoy the experience?
I don't have bad memories, actually my memory is still pretty good...
Its just that for the positive parts of the live rock music experience to outweigh the negatives it's got to be a VERY special venue and act.
I still attend plenty of live classical, folk, and bluegrass concerts, especially when held in smaller venues...
But local locations such as The Fox Theater, The Ogden, Mercury Cafe, The Fillmore skating rink, Folsom Field, Rockies stadium, Mile High Stadium, and the truly dreadful Boetcher concert hall, aren't worth the effort because what the audience hears isn't even close to "high fidelity."
The reason we like live concert DVD's is that the mix is an idealized version of the actual sonic event. No one in the hall (except for maybe the mixing engineer) heard what is on the DVD.
Even the best FOH (front of house) mix isn't as clean or well balanced as a final DVD mix.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
I agree with Steven on a lot of what he is saying. I too have seen almost every live concert from Aerosmith to Zepplin. Even went to Woodstock. I've heard good sound and bad sound, sometimes because of the arena, sometimes because the sound wasn't set up correctly, and sometimes because the crowd was to noisy. Some bands sound better in the studio than live. Some sound better live than in the studio. A friend asked me to go to a Harry Chapin concert at the Uptown Theatre (a small place that seats about 300) in Kansas City quite a few years back. I remember saying "Harry Chapin? Are you kidding me?" Needless to say, I went. Harry got up on stage, sat on a stool, played an acoustic guitar, and sang. I was completely spellbound for an hour and a half. Don't see much like that anymore except at a few places (like Wheatstock in Topeka, Kansas, Blue Heaven Studios in Salina, Kansas and the Windfield, Kansas Annual Flatpicking Championship). I live in Topeka, Kansas and not only do we not have any high end audio equipment stores to roam around in, we don't get much entertainment either.
As for major concerts, no, I'd rather avoid the overpriced seats (remember when tickets were $25 ?), the traffic, the parking, the crowds, the bad acoustics, the bad seats and watch the DVD in the comfort of my home and stereo equipment.
Or, maybe we're just getting old Steven!
Randy L. Alfrey
Dear Steve
Did you take any shots of The Police and do you still own the negatives if you did?
Best,
Craig
www.thepolicearchive.com
Even though the time byte says 2008, all I have to say is that this comment by Steven Stone is dead on right. Everyone has a response to a live concert experience, sometimes overly influenced by the provenance of being there or the price of a ducat, buy for those who missed the opportunity to breathe the same air as the live musicians, a "live" recording, able to be relived numerous times on a good sound system is the next best thing to having been there.
Easy boys.
I can find merit in what both of you are saying. While being in the front row for a Widespread Panic show is definately a "live" experience in every way, perhaps it's not everyone's idea of fun. However, no one could see a live acoustic show (even amplified) and not say that it's closer to the real deal than sitting at home listening to the stereo.
There is no greater pleasure in my year than the annual trek to Telluride for 4 wonderful days (and nights) of Bluegrass. There is no experience that can match it that can come out of 2 speakers and a bunch of electronics.
Sorry that is off subject and it is just an opinion.
As far as DVDs go, check out the one by My Morning Jacket. Am not sure about the sound quality but the performance is astonishing.
David Gilmour - Remember that Night
NIN - Beside You In Time
The Cure - Trilogy
Peter Gabriel - Secret Garden
Porcupine Tree - Arriving Somewhere
Roger Waters - In The Flesh Live
Nightwish - From Wishes To Eternity
Opeth - Lamentations
Godsmack - Changes
The Eagles - Farewell Tour I
Seal - Live In Paris
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Live in New York City
One of the band members told me that this recording best captured how the band sounded live.
zoo tv has to be included in this...it was simply groundbreaking and amazing
Fleetwood Mac's DVD concert. Watch Lindsey Buckinghams' "Bleed to love her" or "Lookin out for love" solos. Absolutely amazing!
Allman Brothers Band "Live at the Beacon Theatre". Watch Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks dressing room solos of "Old Friend". Spellbinding!
Randy L. Alfrey
A wonderful disc, recommended to me by Robert Harley, is Return to Forever: Return--Live at Montreux, in Blu-ray format. Great players (Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola, and Lenny White), mind-blowing musicianship, and very good sound (DTS HD-Master Audio).
Another plus is that the disc turns out to have appeal that can span generations; I've had fun playing the disc for my teenage sons who normally gravitate toward music in the rock idiom, yet who found real merit in what this amazing band of "old guys" could do.
Highly recommended.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
I second this. I haven't played the whole thing yet, but from what I've heard and seen, it's a great disc.
Didn't TAS publish a list of the best music DVD a few months ago? I recall seeing one (don't remember the issue) in the back of the magazine.
Can someone post that list?
I have some of the above +
Jeff Beck - Performing this week...Live at Ronnie Scots (Blu-ray) 16:9
Don Henley - Live inside job (DVD) 4:3
Mike Oldfield - Tubular bells2&3 (DVD) 4:3
The Strat Pack - Live in concert (DVD) 16:9
One of my favorites is Sound Stage Tom Petty & the Heart Breakers. Awesome sound and intimate feel in small venue. Best version of Refugee - great jam. All in Blu-ray.
Nevermind, guys.
The T.A.M.I. show comes out on Tuesday. Prepare to rewrite all of your lists as it IS the best live show you never heard.
The Rolling Stones have TWO box sets....wow. BOTH are a must have. Remember T.A.M.I. show....and please update your lists accordingly.
No doubts at all
Secret world (Peter Gabriel, with Tony Levin, Manu Katche, David Rohdes, etc.)
Concert in the Park (Paul Simon, no DVD yet)
Koln Concert (Keith Jarret solo)
Wellcome back my friends (Emerson, Lake and Palmer)
A jazz celebration (Marsalis Family)
What? No one mentioned the masters of live shows with the most advanced sound reinforcement and recording technology? THE GRATEFUL DEAD!!!!
I've seen my fair share of live concerts, Stones twice, once when they had the 'unannounced' small venue show ( Warner Theater DC '78), Dead, Elton John, many more. The best, easy, for me ( note; I did not see a Springsteen ) was when Roger, Pete, Keith, and John, in their prime, took the stage. It was ' 73 for me, stone cold amazing. Sorry not a great DVD avalable for the uniniatied, ( 'Live at Leads' & some clips give an idea ) but when the WHO were at the top of their game NONE could compete.
Oh, so right, when The Who are on, they are amazing live.
And no mention of 'If You Want Blood You've got it' by AC/DC... AGGGGGHHHHHHHH. You've just gotta love that cranked up high somewhere where the neighbours aren't an issue. Unbeatable! (IMO obviously.)
Luckily I'm old enough to have been able to see the band 3 times when Bon was strutting his stuff out front. Saw most rock bands of the day from '78-84 but there was nothing like the atmosphere in a venue a minute before lights down at those 3 gigs.
Every hair I have (with an erector muscle) now at attention...
Hi
Did anybody mention Pink Floyd and Pulse?
Paul Simon Graceland...Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes is simply Amazing
not sure if it makes a difference, but the concert I am referring to is the one Paul Simon did in Africa, with Lady Smith Black Mombazo
I may be a bit partial to our hometown (Topeka, Kansas) band KANSAS, but I just watched the "There's Know Place Like Home" Blu-Ray of their reunion concert at Washburn University White concert hall, Feburary 2009. What a great concert !!!
Randy L. Alfrey
1) Tina Turner - Live in Amsterdam (Wildest Dreams Tour, recorded September 6-8, 1996). The Stones may be the greatest rock band ever, but Tina is the greatest live performer of the entire rock era and is the one who schooled the Stones on how to command an audience from the stage. Here she is still amazing at age 57. I re-watch this show when it's shown on the Ovation TV channel. Not to be missed!
2) Rolling Stones - Shine a Light. Scorsese documentary on the band from 2008. The only glaring omission is Gimme Shelter, which ironically appears on many of his film soundtracks.
3) The Complete Monterey Pop Festival (Criterion). Probably the most significant concert of the rock era. A historical musical document from 1967.
4) Carly Simon - Coming Around Again. This 1987 live concert is likely available on DVD. I watched it on TV years ago and then went out and bought the album. Very enjoyable and rare performance for an artist with severe stage fright.
I agree on these:
The Band: The Last Waltz
Concert For George
Alison Krauss & Union Station: Live
Crossroads Guitar Festival: 2004 & 2007
Cream: Royal Albert Hall 2005
Ringo's All Stars: The Best So Far
and I would add the following:
Paul McCartney: Back In The U.S. and Live In Red Square
John Mayall: 70th Birthday Concert
Simon & Garfunkle: Old Friends
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris: Real Live Roadrunning
Neil Young: Heart Of Gold
Eric Clapton: One More Car, One More Rider and Unplugged
James Taylor: Pull Over
Steve Goodman: Live from Austin City Limits
B.B. King: Live By Request
Jeff Beck: Live At Ronnie Scott's (forgot to add it above)
Richard Thompson: Live From Providence & 1,000 Years Of Popular Music
Barbra Streisand: One Voice