43 Comments
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Andre Moss's avatar

Great list, I would just add Waiting for Columbus by Little Feat.

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Adam B.'s avatar

Seconded. Word is it was fairly heavily overdubbed in studio but I don’t really care, the live effect it communicates is amazing.

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Matt Fish's avatar

Thanks Andre!

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Jeremy Shatan's avatar

Many greats here, including James Brown, Miles Davis, and The Who! A couple of my go-tos are Bob Marley & The Wailers - Babylon By Bus and Bob Dylan - Hard Rain. And one more people need to know about is Desvio Onirico by Brazilian psych-rockers Boogarins.

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Matt Fish's avatar

Some great picks there, all worth checking out. Thanks Jeremy!

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Arcadeist's avatar

I loved the whole MTV unplugged series, especially Neil Young and Nirvana. Personally I would have Jeff Buckley Mystery White Boy and Pearl Jam Live on 2 Legs on a list but that’s just personal taste. It’s a great list🍻

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Matt Fish's avatar

Thanks for commenting! I’ve only ever heard the Pearl Jam record, will have to add the other to my list.

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Mar 7
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Matt Fish's avatar

Exceptional <3

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M Judd's avatar

For a certain segment of Gen X rockers, KISS Alive II was life-changing.

There are some great albums on this list.

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Matt Fish's avatar

I can appreciate this, I’m not a Kiss fan though. Thanks for commenting!

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Nobina Robinson's avatar

Interesting list. I would add Edgar Winter Roadwork and Lou Reed Rock and Roll Animal.

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Matt Fish's avatar

The Lou Reed one was on the longlist during the outlining stage. Thanks for reading!

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Jon's avatar

I remember when I first heard number 16, Nirvana, and I still listen to it even now. I have gone from Vinyl to streaming, but it's one that always resurfaces for me.

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Matt Fish's avatar

A classic for a reason, thanks Jon!

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John Isenberg's avatar

Great list and lots to enjoy here. Springsteen’s Live 75-85 is The Gospel for me, with all the timeless parables, lessons, celebrations and storytelling of any religious text.

Please consider Bring on The Night by Sting in any future versions. The artists backing him on the live songs rival any of the jazz bands on this list.

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Matt Fish's avatar

Thanks for the recommendation John :)

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John Isenberg's avatar

Thank you Matt for investing the time in this topic, for some great writing, and for giving us ideas to think about!

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Matt Fish's avatar

Thanks to YOU for reading John! :)

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Dan Pal's avatar

I haven't heard all of these but I'm partial to the Frampton and Cheap Trick albums because they were so huge when I was an adolescent. Generally, I've never been a big fan of live albums. As a kid, my mom used to play the first Sonny & Cher Live album as well as Barbra Streisand's Live Concert at the Forum. I loved both of them but it's hard for me to come up with others I've listened to a lot since then. Nirvana Unplugged was pretty great though.

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Matt Fish's avatar

Thanks for the comment Dan :) I’ve listened to that Sony & Cher album.

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Goldenstash Lives!'s avatar

Seger. Live Bullet

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Matt Fish's avatar

Rock solid pick :)

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Robert Burkhardt's avatar

All great choices but I didn’t see one of my favorites: Jerry Lee Lewis Live at the Star Club. He takes no prisoners.

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Matt Fish's avatar

What an icon <3

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Alice's avatar

It's Too Late To Stop Now by Van Morrison is a magnificent record.

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Matt Fish's avatar

I haven’t had the pleasure, adding to my listening list. Thanks!

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Adam B.'s avatar

I have a huge backlog and now you’re giving me all of this new music to listen to!!!! Wait, that’s actually a GOOD problem…

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Matt Fish's avatar

Haha thanks Adam!

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Richard Careaga's avatar

Filmore East, along with the Byrds live part of Untitled/Unissued with its mind opening bass/drums duet in 8 miles high

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Matt Fish's avatar

Will have to check that one out, thanks Richard!

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Dr AMM's avatar

Thin Lizzy ‘Live and Dangerous’ (1977) is worth a shout too. Saw them live twice. Awesome performances. Lynott was a hugely charismatic frontman.

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Matt Fish's avatar

Another solid pick here, thanks for sharing!

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David Perlmutter's avatar

A great list with many culturally significant and high selling records on it. I particularly love 1, 2 and 3...

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Matt Fish's avatar

Thanks David!

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Mark Nash's avatar

Some fantastic live albums on here. I’d probably have to include Bob Marley & The Wailers “Babylon By Bus” on my list. A few favorites for me (not saying they belong in the pantheon) would be Dire Straits’ “Alchemy” and The Cure’s “Concert” both from 1984, and Roger Waters “The Wall - Live in Berlin” from 1990

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Matt Fish's avatar

Thanks as always Mark! That Bob Marley record was on the long list, will definitely be part of a Round 2 if it’s ever written.

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