#liverecording

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I have a large number of live albums in my collection. In fact, the first album I ever bought with my own money was Gratitude by Earth Wind and Fire. A funky double live album with the genius move of making the 4th side all new studio tracks. Looking back on it, I point to a handful of LIVE albums that shaped my music tastes and future. What was the attraction? Why the strong influence?

Just My Imagination

When I was young and without means, these live albums were an escape. I imagined the performances. There wasn’t much concert-coverage on TV in the 70’s. It was there, but hidden on late night TV. I didn’t know it then but, the things I found to be cool on Gratitude are common live albums staples. I suppose this steady diet of live records built up the desire to attend live concerts. Because as soon as I had the money and the transportation, I was combing the pink section for shows.

"It's Great to be in Cleveland!"

The artist to audience chatter is always a favorite part of the live album. Whether it's introducing a song or relaying a story, it is a break from the music. Perhaps a chance for your more athletic rockers to take a minute to catch their breath. Listening to Ted Nugent’s Double Live Gonzo got me in trouble at home. Uncle Ted is nasty and Mom didn’t appreciate his language blaring through the house with my younger siblings running around. Springsteen is the king when it comes to storytelling behind his songs. He has no issue with stopping the music for a good period of time to relate a story or highlight an issue. The payoff is usually worth it as he transitions from story to song. It's powerful, even just listening to it on a record.

Cover Me

On a few occasions, the live album will contain the band doing a cover song or two. These are fun because it’s usually a surprise that gets a big reaction. The best example of this is the amazing Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on the‘97 Fillmore recordings: the cover songs on this recording take up about 20% of the whole package. I happened to attend one of these historic concerts and, I must say, these cover songs were the most exciting moments of the night.

You Were There!

A very big part of any live recording is the audience reaction. It takes an expert engineer to choose just the right level of crowd noise on a live album. The cheers, whistles and shout outs all add to the soundscape. Whether it's the roar of the crowd when the hit is played, or the encore chants that bring the band back, these sounds are crucial.  I love the explosion that happens when the band is introduced. All of it adds to the flavor of the recording. The call and response trick brings the audience into your living room. A fun example of this is when Freddie Mercury plays with the audience while showing off his vocal skills On Queen’s‘Live Killers’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc58nCRqwJA&list=RDCc58nCRqwJA&start_radio=1 Freddie Knows How to Fire Up a Crowd

You Burn It, I'll Buy It

I eat it up when the band releases a live album from a concert I attended. WHAT A MEMENTO! I did know a few people who attended the infamous Frampton Comes Alive concerts at Winterland in San Francisco. THAT album turned into the world’s BEST known live record. One time, at a KISS concert, they were selling CD’s of the show. How did they have CDs of a show that hadn’t happened yet? Of course, they didn’t. However, they had a CD waiting for us right after the show. The CD did not contain the last 30 minutes of the concert but it had everything else from the intro on. The CDs were burned during the encore. The last 30 minutes were available online a few days later.

Metallica records every show and offers them up, for a price, on their website. Didn’t we pay enough for the ticket? Just saying…..I buy every one of the shows I have been to. I MUST! I realize that the show I saw is, most likely, the exact same show the people in Fresno are seeing the next night. If it wasn’t for the shout outs from the stage, the listener wouldn’t know where the show was taking place. This fact doesn't bother me in the slightest. I am always looking to memorialize my concert experiences. Personal photos and videos are great but having the audio (usually sounding great on the recording), is fantastic! Plus I can always hear myself cheering!

Live for Live

Live albums help bring fans closer to the object of their affection. Fans feel like they may learn a little more about their heroes by listening to a live album. It’s hearing the songs in their rawest form. It's listening to the artist’s banter with the crowd. It's an unfiltered look at the artist. The live album is a memory of the band in concert. It's a time capsule.

CLASSIC ROCK LIVE ALBUM FAVORITES

This is the first live comedy album I’ve ever recorded, and it was a blast to capture. Prior to this album, I’d been shooting videos of stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy groups for a while, but making a stand-up record is a really fun project. It was a packed house and a great performance!

Here are some shots from the recording: