Some of My Favorite Live Albums

I don't know about you guys but I miss concerts a lot. There is nothing like seeing one of your favorite singers live, but unfortunately that is something we can't really do right now. Missing concerts however has got live music on my mind, and this is why today, I am going to look at some of my favorite live albums. Keep in mind that favorite doesn't always mean best, it just means favorite, so if your favorite live album isn't on here don't take it personally. 

Waylon Live (1974) - Waylon Jennings. 

In my opinion Waylon Jennings is and always will be one of the greatest singers (and not just country) of all time, and this album features him at his best. His voice is at its strongest and most powerful and his band has never sounded better. The selection of songs is top notch from Waylon's own hits to those of his friends (Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson) to old school country classics to then current rock hits. This is pure music perfection. If I had to pick an album to show someone why I love country music this would be one of my top picks. 

Miles Davis: Live at the Plugged Nickel (1965) - Miles Davis

To say this was a daring performance is a true understatement. Drummer Ton Williams said that the band decided to play the music in an anti-jazz style without telling Miles. Miles however not only catches on but considers this a challenge and plays by their rules with the shear artistry that few other than him posses. What results is an incredible concert both for jazz buffs and casual fans.

At Folsom Prison / At San Quentin (1968/1969). - Johnny Cash

These may be obvious choices but that is because these two albums are just so incredible. Johnny has incredible energy and an even better connection with his audience. With how well Johnny connects with these inmates, it no surprise that many people assumed he had been in prison himself. These albums also show the dichotomy of Johnny Cash more than any of his other albums do. You have a strong Christian with his faith in God and inability not to sure what God can do for others and praise him, yet one who also will cuss (or even flip the bird) and sing that he hopes San Quentin will "rot and burn in Hell." These two sides don't feel like they belong in the same person, but Johnny was far from a simple easy to explain person.

Willie and Family Live (1978) - Willie Nelson

If you have never seen Willie in concert, you need to. He is such an incredible live performer who puts so much energy and excitement into each song. It is hard not to just simply get swept up in the music with one of Willie's live performances. None of his live albums capture the energy and fun of a Willie Nelson performance more than Willie and Family Live. This album also shows the rocking side of this country music legend more than any other. 

The Last Waltz (1978) - The Band 

The soundtrack album to one of my favorite concert films is not surprisingly one of my favorite live albums. The Band's farewell concert shows the group at its best and hits like Up on Cripple Creek and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, never sounded better than they do here. Featuring such incredible guests as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Dr. John, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and Emmylou Harris any fan of 1960's or 70's music must hear this album.

 

Offerings: A Worship Album (2000) - Third Day

My favorite Christian rock band turns in one of their finest albums with their first live album and their first worship album. This album combines their own originals plus new covers of Michael W. Smith and Bob Dylan. The band simply sounds incredible and Mac Powell's voice is at its best. This is as good as Christian music gets.

Rock Spectacle (1996) - Barenaked Ladies

The Canadian pop-rock band with a uniquely offbeat sense of humor, are at their best live, and this live album may be their best album. This is them in all of their pre-One Week glory. If you want to see just how great of a band Barenaked Ladies are you can't do better than this album. This is when the band was at their creative peak and mixing that with their incredible energy live, this is a masterpiece of a live album.

At The Ryman (1992) - Emmylou Harris 

Emmylou Harris is one of the best interrupters of classic country songs and many of her covers are often even better than originals. She also has an incredible energy and presence live. So a live album of her performing classic country songs has to be as good as it gets. This is pure traditional country music at its absolute finest and it is only appropriate that it comes from the historic Ryman (which was the home of The Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974). For country music fans it hardly gets better than this. 

Live in Iraq (2007) - Charlie Daniels Band

Charlie Daniels favorite part of his job was performing live and The Charlie Daniels Band was often at its best when they were live. That is why it is disappointing that they have so few live albums. However the live albums they do have are pure gems. Charlie always said that there was an art of putting together a concert and this was certainly an art he had mastered. This songs on this album are masterful put together and there is never a lull in the whole album. Of course performing for our troops overseas means there is a lot of Charlie's patriotism throughout this album. A lot of Charlie Daniels Band critics may complain about this, but to me this is a treat as his love for America is such a huge part of what makes Charlie Charlie. It is always so real and honest that I don't ever feel I'm being preached to but rather that the artist is just revealing who he is through his music.  

-Michael J. Ruhland