As a music fan and collector, I’ve always enjoyed live albums. There’s nothing quite like a musician or a band playing at it’s peak, with the audience responding to the music. There are literally thousands of live recordings out there that would fall under the rock genre. As a result, picking the 100 greatest among them was a difficult task. This list ended up being the albums I would choose. Alongside each selection, I’ve tried to explain my reasoning, but please feel free to let me know if I’ve placed one in the wrong spot, or missed a great album all together.
100. Janis Joplin: In Concert
: Culled from performances with the Holding Company and Full Tilt Boogie, Joplin conveys an incredible loneliness throughout the album. Her performance of “Ball and Chain,” recorded four months before she died, is as powerful as it gets.
99. Pulse
– Pink Floyd: The band was in a state of flux after the departure of bassist-songwriter Roger Waters, Pulse contains the remaining members of the band performing the entire Dark Side Of The Moon
with guest musicians.
98. Live at the Fillmore 1968
– Santana: Recorded just before the groups Columbia debut, Carlos & his mates are red hot.
97. Live and Beyond
– Eric Johnson: Recorded at Austin’s famed Antone’s blues club, Johnson is at the top of his game with his two-man band Alien Love Child. The Stand-out track “Boogie King” is a tribute to John Lee Hooker.
96. S&M
– Metallica & The San Fransisco Symphony: Metallica’s playing is first rate and the San Fransisco symphony only serves to enhance some of the bands greatest songs.
95. AC/DC Live
– AC/DC: Recorded during the bands 1991 Razor’s Edge tour, AC/DC Live has a great set list. All the big hits are here, played with the intensity and commitment fans have come to expect from AC/DC.
94. From Here to Eternity: Live
– The Clash: Recorded between ’78 and ’82, From Here to Eternity: Live showcases Joe Strummer and the boys at their punk rockin’ best. Angry and scorching, this one is a must-have for Clash fans.
93. Sex Machine
– James Brown: It’s a funky revolution, including the 10-minute title track.
92. Alchemy: Dire Straits Live
– Dire Straits: Recorded at London’s Hammersmith Odeon in July 1983, Alchemy: Dire Straits Live is full of moody tracks, accentuated by Mark Knopfler’s muttering vocal style. “Romeo and Juliet” and “Sultans of Swing” are both stand out tracks, helped in large part by strong audience reaction.
91. Live: Era ’87-’93
– Guns N’ Roses: This double disc might be a bit uneven because it’s taken from a hodgepodge of live performances, but it still shows what a great band this was live.
90. Reunion [2-CD SET]
– Black Sabbath: The boys are just going all out here.
