LP's. You can blame the classic rock radio format for that, but I'm not saying thats a bad thing. Virtually every artist has recorded a Live LP at some point, some better than others. But what would be considered an 'Essential' Live LP? Well,lets take a look and let the second guessing begin!
KISS/ALIVE(1975)Prior to this disk, Kiss had 3 modest selling studio LP's, yet had attracted a strong following for its Live shows. This double LP set was recorded at a few Midwest venues, and has turned into THE Live set for which all others must follow! From the "You wanted the best, you got the best" opening, to Paul Stanley's classic raps, and of course "Rock and roll all nite", Its the Ultimate Live set!
PETER FRAMPTON/FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE(1976)Ok, so Frampton was one of the rare exceptions to the rule--an artist who's live LP would overshadow anything else he'd done or ever do again. This 2 record set yo-yo'd in and out of the #1 position 3 times during the Summer and Fall of 1976, and has sold better than 6 million copies to date.
BOB SEGER/LIVE BULLET(1976)Seger's 5 previous studio LP's did nothing nationally, but he struck a nerve with this 2 record set recorded in Detroits Cobo hall in September of 1975. Includes classics like "Travelin' Man","Katmandu", "Beautiful Loser" and "Turn the page". It racked up 3 years on Billboards Top 200 LP's chart, and has sold 4 million plus copies to date. Not bad considering his Landmark "Night Moves" came 6 months later.
LED ZEPPELIN/THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME(1976) This was filmed in 1973 at Madison Square Garden for use in the Soundtrack of the same name 3 years later. While many Zep purists state that these shows rank as only above average by the bands Live Standards, they still
show what a magical powerhouse Led Zeppelin was. And despite being a movie soundtrack, it still stands as the only "official" in concert recordings released by the band.
LYNYRD SKYNYRD/ONE MORE FROM THE ROAD(1976) Recorded in July '76 at the Fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta, this 2 record set was a Top 10 hit and has sold more than 3 million copies to date.
Includes the definitive Live version of "FreeBird".
CHEAP TRICK/LIVE AT BUDOKAN(1979) Recorded in Japan, this remains their best selling title to date at better than 3 million copies sold. Includes the hit singles "I want you to want me" and "Ain't that a shame".
ERIC CLAPTON/UNPLUGGED(1992)Clapton's MTV performance has sold 10 million copies to date and also became a smash hit on video and DVD. It also won the 1992 Grammy award for best LP. hard to argue with credentials like that. Time prevents me from detailing all the other LP's, but here's a further look at additional Essential Live LP's:
The Eagles/Hell Freezes Over(1994);Fleetwood Mac/The Dance(1997);Ted Nugent/Double Live Gonzo!(1978),Wings Over America(1977);Foghat Live(1977);The Rolling Stones/Got Live if you want it(1967);Pink Floyd/Pulse(1995);Bruce Springsteen/Live 1975-1985;Grand Funk/Live(1970);St: Woodstock(1970);George Harrison/The Concert for Bangladesh(1972 Grammy Winner);Journey/Captured(1981);AC/DC/Live(1992);Crosby,Stills,Nash & Young/4 Way Street(1971);The Who/Live at Leeds(1970),Metallica/S&M(1999)and The Doors/Absolutely Live(1970). You may also have a favorite worth mentioning,and if so,drop me a line and we'll compile 'em for a future column down the line!
Odds & ends....ROBERT PLANTS first solo LP since 1993 is due July 16th. "Dreamland" is a collection of cover songs and "classic moments" from the 60's. From the Bob Dylan song "One more cup of coffee" and Jimi Hendrix's "Hey Joe" to lesser known songs from the Likes of Tim Buckley and Skip Spence(former Moby Grape vocalist),this collection is as diverse as Plants career. Of the 10 songs,2 are new compositions from Plant....The first phase of the GRAND FUNK RAILROAD reissue campaign takes effect July 2nd when "Live,the 1971 Tour" is shipped to stores. 11 songs comprise the
disk, taken from performances at New York City's Shea Stadium,Chicago and Detroit.
Over the next year you can expect 13 additional titles to be reissued to CD. Got questions or comments about music? Email Steve at themusictree@hotmail.com