Live Albums

Live albums have come a long way...from bass thumping, poor quality bootlegs, to smooth, acoustically perfect pieces of music mastery.  There are a few live albums in my catalog that truly stand out.  To me there is no point in trying to rank live albums or even to compare one to another--the  only way that could possibly be relevant would be if two bands played the exact same set live in the exact same arena within a relatively close time frame.  One could then say Band "X" had better acoustics, better sound, more lively audience, blah blah blah...but ultimately what would the point be?  The fact (subjective though it may be) is that some bands have put out incredible sounding live albums and some bands--even good bands-- have put out crap that makes your ears bleed.  I prefer to listen to and talk about live albums that not only were excellent in their own right, but also moved the bar for what should be expected from a live album.

 One such recording that is a must for live album and progressive music fans alike is "USA" by King Crimson, originally released in 1975.  King Crimson has released several other live albums; "Earthbound" from 1972 immediately comes to mind.  While that LP contains an amazing version of "21st Century Schizoid Man," the overall sound quality is not up to the level of  "USA."  King Crimson seems to set the bar for something every time they release an album.  Despite the fact that the line up has changed a few times over the years there has always been one constant--Robert Fripp.  Ever the perfectionist and always the innovator, Fripp has continually been light years ahead of most people on the planet when it comes to music.  He seems to be thinking six steps ahead of the crowd when he plays and when he writes.  The line-up on "USA" includes John Wetton, Eddie Jobson, David Cross, and Bill Bruford...to me one of their strongest pre-1981...a remastered version of "USA" includes Fractured and Starless...which are well worth the wait.

Jumping ahead just a few years to 1982, and another live album that raised the bar for amazing sound quality and mix is "The Name of This Band is Talking Heads."  A two album compilation, this recording completely blew me away when I first played it--and I remember buying it the first day it was on sale.  I could not wait to startle my neighbors with a sound so new and incredible even they would be impressed; but alas, I was alone in my contentment.  No worries though, and I still enjoy breaking out the vinyl for this listen.  The recording was split along calendar and line-up lines; sides one and two on the first album are from live sets recorded in Maynard MA, in 1977, and Passaic,  NJ in 1979.  The line-up for these shows was the original quartet of David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Franz, and Jerry Harrison.  Sides three and four on the second album are from shows recorded in  NYC, NJ, and Tokyo between 1980 and 1981.  The line-up for these shows was quite expanded and included Adrian Belew, Bernie Worrell, Busta Jones,  Steve Scales, Nona Hendryx, and Dollette MacDonald.  The cover of "Take Me To The River" alone is worth the purchase price--and then some.

Going back in time again, Traffic released a fantastic live album in 1971 titled, "Welcome to the Canteen."  Every time I play this album I have to remind myself it was recorded in 1971 when I was but an impressionable youth.  The sound quality and mixing are extremely high quality.  Recorded in London, the line-up included "Reebop" Kwaku Bah on congas, timbales, and bongos.  A great live version of "Dear Mr. Fantasy" as well as a nine minute cover of Winwood's "Gimme Some Lovin'" from his old Spencer Davis days...which even in 1971 seemed like a lifetime ago...

Another live gem that was released in 1971 was George Harrison's "The Concert for Bangladesh." Amazing not only for the artists who were there and the incredible performances, but also the fact that it came together so quickly and all the money raised actually went to the cause.  Harrison pulled off then what could never happen today--all those egos in one place and not one of them focused on "me, me, me."  The line-up included Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Klaus Voormann, Jessie Ed Davis, Badfinger, Billy Preston, Ringo, Jim Keltner, Ravi Shankar, and of course George Harrison.  The concert was put together to bring awareness to the extreme poverty and famine that was ravaging Bangladesh at the time.  Ravi Shankar and George Harrison put together an incredible line-up to raise money for the UNICEF efforts to help those in the region.  Fortunately for those not able to see the show at MSG that August night in 1971, the show was released on vinyl...and later on CD and DVD.  Well worth the investment...

Staying in the 1970's, there is one live album that seems to land on everyone's "Five Must-Have Albums If Stranded on a Desert Island" list.  This two-piece set of vinyl mastery is (of course) The Allman Brothers "Live at the Fillmore East," released in 1971.  From the opening "Statesboro Blues" on side one to the entire side four version of "Whipping Post,"  Live at the Fillmore has been called everything from mundane and aimless to the finest live rock 'n' roll recording ever put on vinyl.  Needless to say, I usually don't give much weight to critics... but the ears don't lie.  This is a two album set very much worth  owning--the CD just does not do it justice--the sound is too sterile.  Duane Allman was truly a master and the band was never as good without him as they were with him.

One more live album, and for me this one sets the standard; I actually have it on vinyl, CD and DVD.  I am referring to "The Last Waltz," the farewell concert by The Band.  Recorded Thanksgiving night 1976 at the Winterland in San Francisco, this was a show that left you wanting more yet appreciating what you were just served.  It wasn't just a concert; it was too intimate for that.  Yet it was also more than just a gathering of friends and artists.  When you watch the film you can feel the mood, smell the sweat, and all you want to do is hold up a lighter and sway back and forth with the crowd.  The opening song, "Don't Do It," is actually the final song The Band played after five hours of food, music, and festivities; you can tell they were emotionally spent but didn't want the night to end any more than the audience did.  I remember taking a date to the movie when it first came out.  I won't say she wasn't into it, but I will say it was our last date...hey, the heart wants what it wants right now--but music is forever.

So there you have it, a quick review of six live albums.  There have been countless others put out for someone's listening pleasure, and if you include bootlegs the number would probably rival the national debt.  While I may not have come close to looking at them all or diving too deep into the ones I did look at, you can get a perspective of what these albums are about and hopefully your appetite is whet enough to make you go out and get your own copy.  I always recommend vinyl if you can find it, especially for the older albums.  CD sound quality may be "cleaner," but I prefer the realistic sounds that only be found with a stylus.  The major downside is the inability to sit back and enjoy 1-2 hours worth of live music without having to turn the record over...but that counts as exercise, right?

The live clip below is from King Crimson's "USA."  This was actually a tough decision for me as I really like everything I listed here.  However, I don't think this album ever got the credit it deserved so I thought I would showcase some of it here for those "less informed" fans...and when the song is over don't forget to listen to the cassette real loud in your car waiting for the parking lot to empty out...

Women Who Rock

Women have been part of the rock 'n' roll scene since there has been rock 'n' roll.  Whether groupies, fans, singers, musicians, producers, or involved behind the scenes, women have been as much a part of the rock 'n' roll world as their male counterparts...they just haven't always gotten their fair share of the credit.  So today I pay tribute to but a small cross section of the women who helped shape the world of rock 'n' roll...

I cannot have any sense of credibility if I do not start this list with Aretha Frankin.  One of the most powerful voices I have ever heard, Aretha really has no peer.  Known the world over as The Queen of Soul, she started out as a kid singing gospel music in her father's church.  In 1960, at the age of 18,  Aretha started her solo career, but did not gain much notice until 1967 with "Respect."  Additional hits "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "Think" helped her earn that much deserved title.  She has built a long and amazing career, even performing at the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009 at the young age of 67.  I still love her in the movie "The Blues Brothers" and get a chuckle every time I hear Beyonce, Mariah Carey, or some other wanna be referred to as a "diva."  No one--and I mean no one--holds a candle to Aretha.

Darlene Love made a very successful career singing back-up for some of the biggest names in rock after starting her career in the 1960's with the female singing group The Blossoms.  She worked with Phil Spector on several hit singles, though song credits at the time were pretty obscure and she never received the recognition or financial compensation she deserved.  Love also recorded songs with Sam Cooke, Johnny Rivers, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys,and Tom Jones.  After taking a hiatus to raise a family she returned to the musical circus and worked with Bruce Springsteen and U2 among others.

Dusty Springfield was another pioneer in the female pop star arena, having been very successful in a very much "male dominated" world.  Born in England, Dusty managed to record six top twenty singles and went on to become a successful producer as well before succumbing to cancer in 1999--just before her induction into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.  Dusty sang background vocals on Elton John's Caribou album and also recorded with the Pet Shop Boys in the early 90's.  In 1968 Dusty performed a duet of "Mockingbird" with Jimi Hendrix...wish I was in that audience...

Bonnie Raitt has had quite a career and is among the most respected musicians in the industry regardless of gender.  Bonnie has played with icons such as John Lee Hooker, Roy Orbison, Keb Mo, Warren Zevon, and Norton Buffalo.  She was also a founder of MUSE, an anti-nuke organization in the 1970's that spawned an incredible live album, "The Concert for No Nukes."  Early in her career Bonnie was well received by critics and peers--but female guitar players were not the norm...thus, record sales of her early works were tepid.  Her cover of Del Shannon's "Runaway" in 1977 brought her some commercial success but critical attack...I guess you can't have it both ways.  Her career had a major resurgence starting in 1989 with the release of "Nick of Time," which led to much commercial and critical success...so maybe you can have it both ways--if you are willing to endure three decades on a tour bus.  Bonnie has the distinction of being on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" at number 50, and the list of "100 Greatest Guitar Players" at number 89.  Well played...

Bonnie Bramlett built a career similar to a wild roller coaster...lots of ups and downs.  She and Delaney Bramlett led a great band; Delaney and Bonnie and Friends.  Just that name oozes the feelings and attitude of the 1960's.  Eric Clapton is an alum of the group and they put out some fantastic music--although somewhat under appreciated.  Bonnie had one of those voices that was made for singing--not quite the Janis Joplin rasp but a sound that could cut through layers of stone and still melt like butter on an ear of corn...

No discussion of women in rock 'n' roll would be complete without mentioning Janis Joplin.  Although her voice sounded like it came from a scotch soaked, cigarette scorched, life-long singer two weeks older than the planet, she was only 27 when she died.  I still stop and what wonder "what if" every time I hear her belt out "Piece of My Heart."  The song was not written for or by her--it was originally recorded in 1967 by Erma Franklin--but the cover by Joplin's band Big Brother and the Holding Company forever changed the music scene and made Janis a voice to be reckoned with.

Laurie Anderson is a singer who seems to defy definition and refuses to be categorized.  Anderson is mainly recognized as an experimental performance artist...but that seems to me to just be a cop out on trying to pigeon hole someone who can do almost anything.  From singles like, "O Superman," "Sharky's Day," and "Babydoll'" Laurie has recorded songs that could fit the experimental, progressive, pop, and electronic genres...and she didn't stop there.  Laurie has collaborated with William S. Burroughs, Jean Michel Jarre, Philip Glass, Adrian Belew, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, and Lou Reed (whom she married in 2008) among others...the list of artists I am aware of--and I am sure I don't know them all--runs far too long to be included here.

Nona Hendryx is probably known to most as one third of LaBelle, the female singing group from the 60's and 70's.  What is probably less known is LaBelle opened for The Who on tour in 1971 and The Rolling Stones in 1973. These ladies could definitely belt out a tune.  Hendryx went on to a very successful solo career when LaBelle  broke up in 1976.  A few solo albums, leader of the "progressive art" group Zero Cool, collaboration with Talking Heads, and work on several soundtrack albums have enabled Nona to leave her mark in the music world.

Perhaps a lesser known artist I would like to mention here is Joanna Connor, an incredible guitar player and singer.  I was fortunate enough to be starting my culinary career in Worcester MA. when Joanna was beginning to make her mark in the music world.  I was not only able to see her perform live many times, but I also knew her personally as we worked together at a restaurant back in Wormtown.  She is very well respected by those who know and her guitar playing is on a par with anyone regardless of gender.

I could go on seemingly forever with a grocery list of female artists...this list here consists mainly of women who made their most notable contribution in front of the mic...but many others have been just as successful playing in a group, writing, and/or producing.  Carole King, Tina Turner, Ella Fitzgerald, Annie Lennox, Joni Mitchell, Tina Weymouth, Chrissie Hynde, Patti Smith, Rickie Lee Jones, Kate Bush, Mavis Staples...you get the point.  Joan Jett formed The Runaways with the late Sandy West when she was 17 (Sandy was 15) and went on to later form Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Women have played a significant role in making rock 'n' roll the machine it is today.  I salute and respect the women who blazed the early trail and enabled those who came later to be as successful as they are.  I just hope that those coming up are exposed to and appreciate the work and efforts of their predecessors.  Without the Aretha Franklins, Billie Holidays, Tina Turners, and Ella Fitzgeralds leading the way, the music world would never have known those who followed--and that would truly be a shame.  As has been the case through history, the women have had to work twice as hard to gain half the respect.

I posted two videos here...mainly because I can.  The first is Aretha Franklin...I was afraid the music gods would melt my vinyl if I did not include her.  I also posted a clip of Joanna Connor for those who appreciate great musicians regardless of dressing room and may not have heard her play previously.

Dim the lights, close your eyes, and enjoy...

...and for the blues aficionados...