Top 10 Live Albums

In the spirit of John Cusack’s Character, Rob Gordon, in High Fidelity (itself a worthwhile piece of cinema and recommended viewing), I have compiled my list of the Top Ten Live Rock Albums. While I share John/Rob’s obsessive desire to make lists, I find I can’t seem to limit mine to just the “Top Five”, Letterman’s “Top Ten” format suits me better.

Without further ado, here they are, in no particular order (mostly).

• Warren Zevon - Stand In The Fire
  Finally available on CD after all these years, this one is not to be missed. Take Warren’s songwriting genius, throw in an inspired, manic performance and top it off with with a stellar back-up band and what do you have? The Greatest Live Album, Ever!

  If your tastes lean more toward Warren accompanying himself on 12-string or piano, Learning to Flinch is a sonic masterpiece as well and might just be the cure to what ails you.

• KISS - Alive
  The greatest stage show in rock and roll, brilliantly captured and preserved in all its bombastic, fire-breathing, blood-spitting, rocket-shooting guitar glory.
• Ian Hunter - Welcome to the Club
  Most of what I wrote about “Stand In The Fire” applies here as well. We’ll call this one the best of the rest.
• The Kinks - One for the Road
  The Kinks at the very pinnacle of stadium-rocking Kinkdom, what more could you want?
• Lou Reed - Rock and Roll Animal
  Lou strips these songs of their pretty Velvet Underground veneers and presents them in true, snarling, sneering rock and roll style! Kickin’ ass and takin’ names!
• BB King - Live in Cook County Jail
  Not a rock album, per se, but this album belongs on this list. Listen to the man, consider the men…
• The Rolling Stones - Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!
  The self-appointed “Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World” at the peak of their live prowess.
• Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense
  You could argue that The Name of This Band is Talking Heads is a better live Talking Heads album, but Stop Making Sense gets the nod for the great concept, as well as for also being one of the greatest concert movies ever, too.
• The Who - Live at Leeds
  Worth the price of admission for that version of Magic Bus alone, stellar!
• The Band/Various Artists - Last Waltz
  The Band’s legendary 1976 All-Star farewell concert. Featuring performances/farewells by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, Dr. John, and Muddy Waters. One incredible night! Do yourself a favor, If you don’t already own it, get the DVD, too.

So, what are your top five/ten albums? Any genre; just try to run a common thread around them. Share away, the comments await!