We saw some pretty risible claims for the greatest double live akcbum ever (The Archies Live At Carnegie Hall? Dumpy’s Rusty Nuts Live At Wallingford Corn Market? What are you people on?) so I’m onto a hamper winner with this thread, devoted to Half Doubles, which may be rarer than Whole Doubles, for all I know.
This is the trio version of Spirit (for which my love is as boundless as the wine-dark sea) and it’s been confusingly re-released over the years, including as “In Germany”, wtf, and a typically messed-up Mick Skidmore-curated multi-disc set, but the original ’78 nine track edition on Illegal Records is the way to go.
It’s not all recorded at The Rainbow – but who cares? And it’s not strictly live, either, Mr. California making no attempt to disguise his aftermarket guitar, vocals and effects. It’s also very short, and you can make it even shorter (and better) by scraping the tone-arm onto the label before Wild Thing.
So why do I enjoy this rather compromised waxing? I simply do not know. It is, as the fragrant Toyah so memorably put it, a misterwey.
Other single live akcbums I can think of without getting my fingers grubby in the internet are the unreasonably fine Stones boots Live(r) Than You’ll Ever Be, and Welcome To New York. And Mahavishnu And His Orchestra’s Between Nothingness And Eternity, very usefully expanded for CD release.
I’m done.
Spirit Live – the greatest single live akcbum ever
by 59 Comments
You spoil us, Mr. Ambassador!
Hendrix in the West… at least comes close to that one.
*fist raised weakly from back of hall*
The greatest live album ever is Johnny Winter And Live as any fule kno.
Sorry, Twang – akcbums only!
There’s a later remastered akcbum release.
I am honoured that my album typo has become so beloved.
It clearly has replaced vinly!
I’m staring at my keyboard wondering how you managed to replace L with KC … K sits next to L, so OK, but C? That’s finger gymnastics, not a typo!
It’s a subconscious tribute to King Crimson – see
The ProjeKcts, etc
The Projels?
Live album anecdote. A few weeks ago I was trying to set up a NAS based streaming service. To test I randomly chose a track “Mountain Jam” from an expanded version of Live at the Filmore. (An album or groups not played in decades)
Doorbell rings. Amazon delivery. In a mild state of panic I thought of turning the whole thing off for fear of coming over as “old white ex hippie/stoner”. However, no time.
Answered the door and stood before me, parcel in hand, was a 25-ish, hip looking dude. After a few moments, without dropping a beat, he sat “Mountain Jam- just love that guitar music” hands over the parcel and gets into van and disappears into the evening sunset.
What were the odds of that.
I wouldn’t have identified it!
Hmm…single disc live ackbums…King Curtis Live at Fillmore West.
Dig The New Breed – The Jam
Without a doubt the greatest single live akcbum by a country mile. The cover of Eddie Floyd’s tribute to Otis Reading, ‘Big Bird’, is a triumph on a monumental scale. Dig it.
Great album, and the only albumular way to get Going Underground (until Snap came along).
But I’d argue it’s a live compilation rather than live album.
At the BBC, specifically the third disc from The Rainbow in 1979 is an absolute corker
The Who. “Live at Leeds”
And best packaging too.
Correct answer. I have the complete show on 3LPs, but the original single album version is “all killer, no filler”
Yeah, agree. After getting multiple CD versions with bonus tracks, I forked out for a copy of the original six track to match my vinyl memories. Far better, although a few of the bonus non-Tommy tracks are well worth having.
The correct answer was identified by @jim , just several days early and in the wrong thread. It’s AK/CB’s If You Want Blood. That sort of stuff was my gateway music drug and although I don’t play much of it now IYWB is still a regular and still ridiculously exciting.
I fear you may be right.
I’m usually right, though usually at the wrong time.
It’s “Maximum Darkness” by Man
or “Viva” by Roxy Music…
…or “USA” by King Crimson…
Keep ’em coming! You’ll get it right sooner ot later …
Can’t believe ect ect Ya-Yas.
Sam Cooke – One Night Stand: Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963.
That’s the one.
That gets my vote, too.
Stiff Little Fingers – Live In Aberdeen
Misty In Roots – Live At The Counter Eurovision is, of course, the correct answer.
of its genre yes
Nothing to touch it.
Jerry Lee Lewis live at the Star Club
of its genre yes
You’re all wrong. This is the one:
Good choice…
Worth price of admission for Tomorrow Never Knows alone
Might survive the involvement of Eno given the other players.
George Formby – Formby At War
Interesting choice.
https://www.discogs.com/pt_BR/release/36368155-George-Formby-Formby-At-War
For sheer gob-smacking impact Lou Reed Rock’n’Roll Animal. Who amongst us didn’t drop their jaw in wonderment upon hearing Intro/Sweet Jane for the first time.
of its genre yes
Well exactly. In fact lou Reed’s Take No Prisoners, yes a double, recorded in a NY club with the narky fuel-driven interaction with the audience and the rough edge to the band’s sound is possibly the best …. of its genre.
Me
Me too. Lou’s junkie chic was always lost on me.
Hang on @Twang you nominate Johnny Winter And Live which is basically duelling Winter/Derringer but Hunter/Wagner doesn’t do it for you?
Lou Reed. Plus different level of guitarists!
The Beach Boys “Concert” (not “In Concert”). Their third album in ’64 and the first live #1 pop album. The sound of kids (except for the already middle-aged Mike Love) having the time of their lives. Corny as hell, but also wonderful.
Stevie Wonder’s The 12 Year Old Genius isn’t too shabby. Knocked my socks off when I was 15.
It seems strange that there isn’t a seminal Stevie live album from his imperial period.
The recordings I’ve heard (and perhaps you) are very disappointing – show-biz medleys of the hits casually dashed off so he doesn’t miss the last bus home chiz.
And yet he pulls out the greatest live performance of all time on Sesame Street! Frustrating.
Marvin Gaye likewise doesn’t have the knockout live album that one would expect.
He’s playing the O2 in London in November, but with the cheapest tickets north of £200 I’ll certainly give it a miss.
Anne Acker Ackbum.
Akcnowleged acktually
Bjorn Again – Live Album.
The classic original lineup, recorded downstairs at the Astoria, 26/03/1994. One of the handful of gigs I skipped, much to my annoyance, having flown home from the alps that morning.
Features unreleased Abba song Just Like That, and Smells Like Teen Spirit, but not the S.O.S./Message In A Bottle segue because: Sting.
“… having flown home from the alps that morning.” Get you in your fluorescent onesie!
I’d been skiing in Courchevel, a week which cost me a month’s wages.
… and that was just the maid’s tip!
Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. “Hellowww, I’m Johnny Cash”
25 Minutes to Go is the kicker
Top marks.