What's the best live album of all time?

I know there have been a few album threads here, but I’ve never seen threads specifically for live albums…

I love “The Last Waltz,” Ruby, but I’d have to go for my man Mark Eitzel—stripped-down (a creaky voice and a guitar that wouldn’t completely cooperate)—singing at a London club (The Borderline, I think). The album’s called “Songs of Love Live.”

of course u would :) and this is just for rock n roll; make that ‘american’ rock n roll. of course i’m not qualified to make a definitive statement but these are my favorites <3

an interesting note about fillmore east cover: “Normally the band hated being photographed; the cover of The Fillmore Concerts shows them displaying terminal boredom. However, during the session, Duane spotted a dealer friend, raced over and grabbed a bag of contraband, then returned to his seat, discreetly clutching the stash in his lap. This cracked up all the members, resulting in a memorable image.”— wikipedia

This is easy for me.

“Powderfinger” is the highlight.

On vinyl.

I’m not too particular on live albums, but I remember really liking the MTV Unplugged albums. The Jay-Z and Nirvana ones especially. Nine Inch Nails’ All That Could Have Been is quite good as well.

Tannhowser – you have good taste.

haha i can’t argue, i love live rust too, especially ‘powderfinger’ and ‘cortez the killer’

The Song Remains the Same.

http://mubi.com/films/26975

Uncanny, the synchronicity. lol.

Also, Tonight’s the Night is a live album for all intents and purposes. It’s my second favorite Neil Young album.

Zimmerman turns 70 tomorrow.

Ellington At Newport 1956

this is at least as good as stop making sense too

dylan is 70! wow

White Stripes-Under Blackpool Lights is pretty good one.

Ruby – I love the black & white cover, all the different shades of.

What am I doing wrong here?

Aha!

Not forgetting…

Or…

The best? Who knows. How about a bunch of great ones:

“Jerry Lee Lewis, Live at the Star Club, Hamburg” (1964.) One of the most ferocious live performances ever recorded. Jerry’s career was on the skids after the Mira marriage scandal. He took it out on the music; it’s almost punk-like in its intensity at times.

“Judy Garland Live at Carnegie Hall” (1961.) Judy cut one of the all-time great live confessionals at that storied hall with an audience that couldn’t get enough.
“Over the Rainbow” takes on frightening weight here, given her life. The song is no longer wishful thinking but a desperate plea.

“Eva Cassidy Live at the Bayou.” (1996.)
Heartbreaking one-off live album by a great natural talent before illness claimed her. Sting loved her version of “Fields of Gold.”

“Leonard Cohen Live in London” (2009)
If you like the wry Canadian poet with the gravelly voice, this is a must. A comprehensive re-cap of his catalogue, well performed before loving fans. The differences in arrangements make this fresh listening, even if you know the songs.

“Cesaria Evora at L’Olympia” (2003)
Don’t know Cesaria? The queen of the ‘morna’ from Cape Verde is pure magic, her quietly sexy voice weaving through impeccable melodies by her crack band. You won’t understand a word, but you will know exactly what she says, and you’ll never hear a more langorous groove that still gives you the urge to dance along.

“Solomon Burke Live in Lugano.” (2008)
The late king of soul in a long love-fest in Switzerland around Christmastime, beautifully recorded to analog and freely available over at archive.org.
As a performer who could work an audience, Burke had few rivals; just fine old-school professionalism married to great singing and playing.

Before the Flood

nice picks, claus harding. thx for classin’ up the joint :P

Great choices so far. Here’s some more goodies:

Please note that you posted this in the “Director’s Cup” section cleary by mistake. Please be careful about that :)

Second the James Brown one.

I like Nirvana Unplugged in New York.