By Chancellor of Soul (63.78.189.114) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 02:47 pm:

What are you favorite live LP recordings ???


Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By john dixon (63.101.17.207) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 02:53 pm:

Sam Cooke Live At The Harlem Club, '63. Sam shows that churchy side in a secular setting. I loved the way they used it in the beginning of the "Ali" movie. I only wished they went on to tell Sam's story instead.

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 02:55 pm:

I love Marvin Gaye's live recordings, and also Betty Wright's..

Vickie

By mc5rules (148.61.97.30) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 02:56 pm:

You have to ask? Of course, it would be Kick Out the Jams by the mighty MC5!

By aljaydu (68.18.115.53) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 02:58 pm:

Easy...Four Tops - "Live At The MGM Grand"
Next: Spinners - "Live"
followed by Commodores - "Live"
then, Frankie Beverly and Maze - "Live In New Orleans" (our Football team needs a transfusion but DANG !!! We do know how to throw a party)

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.57) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 02:59 pm:

Major Lance
Live at The Torch.

By TonyRussi (68.18.225.134) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:16 pm:

Mel, When was the Live Major Lance recorded?Vicki,which Betty Wright Live are you speaking of.I know the 70's LP that had a '"live" version of "Tonite is the Night" had some electronic enhancement to it which kinda sounded fake to me at the time....I like Betty Wright but I did not care for that particular "live" recording.Sam Cooke Live At the Harlem Square Club in Miami is one of the best LIVE recordings EVER.I also love the Motortown Revue Live Vol.II(Fox Theater)DEC.'63 or early '64 and the 70's LP Ike & Tina Live at Carnegie Hall.

By cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:16 pm:

Spinners Live (It would be among my favorites if it just had the two songs Love Don't Love Nobody Part I & & and the smokin Mighty Love)
Diana Ross and the Supremes live at London's Talk of the Town (spectacular arrangements and exciting)
Dionne Warwick Hot Live and Otherwise (she is at her peak here)
Nat King Cole Live (It is a live recording made in Las Vegas. Nat shows off his piano playing and it is incredible)

By john c (12.2.233.107) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:18 pm:

Rock And Roll Animal - Lou Reed (Dick Wagner on guitar for the Detroit connection)

I am not a fan of Lou Reed, but the band performance rocks.

By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:22 pm:

Spinners "Live", Frankie Beverly and Maze "Live In New Orleans", Blue Magic/Major Harris/Margie Joseph "Live", Commodores "Live", and Grover Washington "Live At The Bijou"

By Reese (204.152.13.61) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:26 pm:

1) AN EVENING WITH DIANA ROSS (1977)

2) THE SUPREMES AT THE COPA (1965)

3) AMAZING GRACE - Aretha Franklin (1972)

4) THE LOST LIVE ALBUM -
Gladys Knight And The Pips (1995)

5) HOT! LIVE AND OTHERWISE - Dionne Warwick (1981)

6) WHAT YOU HEAR IS WHAT YOU GET -
Ike and Tina Turner (1972)

7) LIVE AND UNCENSORED - Millie Jackson (1979)

8) NATALIE...LIVE! - Natalie Cole (1978)

9) MOTORTOWN REVUE IN PARIS (1965)

10) THE CARNEGIE HALL CONCERT - Billie Holiday (1956)

By Dick Gamble (216.93.58.222) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:26 pm:

Ike and Tina Turner
"Live at Carnegie Hall"
"What You Hear is What You Get"

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:35 pm:

OH THAT'S AN EASY ONE..THE TEMPTATIONS LIVE,RECORDED IN THE FALL 66,RELEASED IN THE SPRING 67,OF COURSE JAMES BROWN LIVE AT THE APOLLO VOL.1 IS NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT EITHER!

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:43 pm:

I'M WITH YOU R&B!!!...TEMPTATIONS "LIVE AT THE ROOSTERTAIL"...AND JUST TO THINK...I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN THERE!!!...STU(LUCKY)BASS

By Scratcher (65.132.76.245) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 03:48 pm:

The first Temptations Live album (1966) recorded at the Roostertail in Detroit, the first James Brown Live at the Apollo album (1962), and a little known live album featuring WMOT artists: Blue Magic, Major Harris, and Margie Joseph.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 04:33 pm:

The Temptations LIVE album recorded at the Roostertail in 1966, complete with Scott Regen's frantic introduction, is my top favorite live album.

Close second place - Earth Wind & Fire's "Gratitude" from 1975-76. Maurice & company kicking a-- from their 1974-75 tour!

Other faves in no particular order:
Otis Redding Live At The Whiskey A-Go-Go
Supremes At The Copa
Sammy Davis Jr. - That's All (recorded live at the Sands)
Jackie Wilson Live At The Copa (remastered CD version)
Isaac Hayes & Dionne Warwick - A Man & A Woman Live (released on Isaac's HBS Records)
Style Council - Live Home & Abroad (Paul Weller & company never sounded so good!)
Tower of Power - Live & In Living Color (great version of "You're Still A Young Man")

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Chancellor of Soul (63.78.189.114) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

Stubass !!!!! Please do tell of you're experience
there !!!! I was listening to that Temptations
Live LP on CD last week and went ballistic over
David and Melvin dueting, " What Now My Love",
although I love the whole LP !!!

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 04:49 pm:

HEY MIKE: I HAVE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE ON THE FORUM...BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME DETAILS!!!...MY BUDDY AND I...ALL OF ABOUT 15 YEARS OLD GOT OUR TICKETS TO THE SHOW AT THE ROOSTERTAIL!!!...when we arrived for the 9:00 SHOW...WE MET UP WITH OUR FRIEND...PAUL WILLIAMS...WHO BROUGHT US BACK TO THE DRESSING ROOM...WHERE THE TEMPTS WERE "GETTING READY" FOR THE SHOW!!!...PAUL GOT US SOME DRINKS...AS WELL AS FOR HIMSELF!!!...I REMEMBER WELL BERRY GORDY COMING BACK WITH HIS TWO SONS...DRESSED IN IDENTICAL SUITS...ACCOMPANIED BY CHRIS CLARK!!!...THE SHOW WAS FANTASTIC...WITH THE TEMPTS "HIGH KICKING" AND DOING THEIR THING!!!...I DON'T RECALL OFF HAND THE DAVID AND MELVIN THING...BUT I WAS JUST A WIDE EYED KID...TAKING IN...AND DIGGING THE WHOLE SCENE!!!...I REMEMBER THAT AFTER THE SHOW...BACK IN THE DRESSING ROOM...RUFFIN...SURROUNDED BY WOMEN...SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS...WHEN A WOMAN CAME UP BEHIND HIM...PUT HER HANDS OVER HIS EYES...GLASSES AND ALL...AND HE JUST KEPT ON SIGNING!!!...PAUL TOOK GOOD CARE OF US...AND I NEVER EVEN GOT QUESTIONED ABOUT THE TWO WISKEY SOURS THAT I DRANK...I GUESS THAT I COULD EVEN HOLD MY LIQUOR EVEN BACK THEN!!!...BUT IT WAS A GREAT MEMORY...AND ONE OF THE GREAT TEMPTATION PERFORMANCES THAT I EVER SAW!!!...TAKE CARE...STU

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 04:56 pm:

Stu:
Next time Harry Weinger compiles a Tempts collection, he'd better consult with you first!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Chancellor of Soul (66.207.40.18) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 04:57 pm:

Wow ! Wonderful story, Stubass !! The only
time I got to see the original Temps was at the
Apollo in 1967, a year before David was fired
from the group. Thanks for a great story !

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By dvdmike (12.84.102.15) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 05:15 pm:

Nat King Cole at The Sands. Recorded in January 1960, but not released until 1966, especially "Mr. Cole Won't Rock & Roll".

By Nish (170.224.224.134) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 07:10 pm:

1. Smokey Robinson's SMOKIN' LP is my favorite, particularly for the goose-bump raising rendition of "Baby Come Close" and the Temptations LIVE! particularly for the "I Wish You Love" rendition and "What Now My Love."
(In no particular order):
Judy Garland Live at Carnegie
Marvin Gaye live in London Palladium
Ella & Billie (and Carmen) at Newport
The Miracles Live (i forget the year, but the one with Poinciana done live)
Martha and the Vandellas Live

By thecount (65.60.201.174) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 07:27 pm:

THREE DOG NIGHT
"GOOD FELLINGS 1957"
(come on you guys,get your collars up)
"COUNT"

By STUBASS (206.135.204.2) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 07:32 pm:

HEY COUNT: THAT AIN'T NO WAY TO HAVE FUN...SON!!!...STU

By David Meikle (213.122.147.5) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 04:14 am:

I agree that the "Temptations Live" is fantastic. Nice story Stu!

For me the best Live album will always be the Four Tops - "Live At The Roostertail"

The Roostertail must have been some place!

By Uptight! (24.55.6.144) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 04:47 am:

OMG! Listening to "Marvin Gaye Live!" (1974) in headphones, you are THERE! The audio mix is so stunning that during "Distant Lover" you just know those screaming women in the audience are getting... Well, I won't say what they were collectively experiencing. Let's just say Marvin whipped those ladies into such a frenzy. ;)

By Uptight! (24.55.6.144) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 05:02 am:

Distant Lover on "MG Live!" Gives me goosebumps. But other favorite live recording are:

-"Spinners Live"
-J5 "Goin' Back to Indiana" (side 2)
-Etta James "Rocks the House" (It's similar to an early Motown location recording, with all its distortion. But Etta James' performance is what stands out. It seems to actually "rock" the house.)

By Stephanie (205.187.255.199) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 07:44 am:

Peter Frampton
Frampton Comes Alive and Otis Redding Live In Europe are two of the best In my opinion..Honorable Mention goes to Judy Live at Carnegie Hall...
Stephanie

By Aba (208.191.122.205) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 01:59 pm:

Temps-Live. At the Copa, Talk of the Town
Marvin Gaye Live
Four Tops- Roostertail
Spinners Live How Coulds I let YOu Get Away and Sadie
Ojays Live with Wildflower

By LeVan45789 (166.107.72.3) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 02:01 pm:

These are my favorite Live albums:

The Temptations Live (1967)
The Supremes Live At The Copa (1965)
Natalie Cole Live - amazing (1978)
James Brown Live At The Apollo (1962)
Millie Jackson Live And Uncensored (1979)
Curtis Mayfield Live (1971)
Aretha Franklin Live At The Fillmore West (1971)

By douglasm (68.113.15.28) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 02:02 pm:

J. Giles was never a band that never recorded well in the studio, but "Full House" captured their stage show excellently.

By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 02:08 pm:

HEY DOUG: I DO REMEMBER EATING A MEAL AT THE "GRECIAN GARDENS" IN "GREEKTOWN" DURING THE EARLY 70'S...WHEN AT ABOUT MIDNIGHT...THE ENTIRE J. GILES ENSEMBLE CAME INTO THE RESTAURANT AFTER A CONCERT FOR DINNER...AND I ALSO REMEMBER THAT THEY WERE QUITE WELL BEHAVED FOR A "ROCK" TYPE OF ACT...FOR WHAT THAT'S WORTH!!!...STU

By soulie dave uk (62.254.64.5) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 11:48 am:

London Swings, Live at the Marquee Club. "Jimmy James and the Vagabonds/The Alan Bown Set", 1966.

Deserves a mention when talking about live LP's. Not for the quality of the recording or the fame of the artists on it, but for the massive impact it had on young people in Britain when it was released.
Probably unknown to most of you good people in the US but for a lot of us Brits of a similar age to myself this LP played a big part in generating an interest in American Soul Music. It was played constantly in youth clubs around the area where I lived. A lot of people were hearing these songs for the first time and it stimulated me to search out the originals.
The record featured one band on each side who were terific live acts with full brass sections.
Sure they were not the Funks, it was'nt the real thing, but they were exciting, fresh and new to us at that time.
Take a look at the track listings below.

Jimmy James and the Vagabons
1 Aint to proud to beg
2 I cant turn you loose
3 Amen
4 If I had a hammer
5 You dont know like I know
6 That driving beat
7 Dont know what I'm gonna do
8 Sock it to em JB

The Alan Bown Set
1 Its growing
2 Emergency 999
3 I need you
4 Sunny
5 Headline news
6 Down in the Valley
7 The Boomerang

Regards SDUK

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:11 pm:

Any of the James Brown '60s Live LPS! Also, what
was it that made "Fingertips" by Little Stevie
a number one hit? Even though I liked it, even
came to love it, I was never sure why that record
was issued on 45rpm. I remember watching a Dick
Clark American Bandstand show and when he did the
top ten count down (or should I say "up" because
he always went from 10 to 1, "Fingertips" was
number 5, and when he would get to #2 he would
then start hyping the number one song because
they would play it (Easier Said Than Done by the
Essex) however, the kids started screaming "five,
five" and he cancelled playing number one and
played Fingertips Part 2 with the kids dancing
wildly. I always wondered if that was staged!
I wondered if that was done as a favor to Motown
or something, because I know from being on Ameri-
can Bandstand in the '70s, you DON'T interrupt
a taping, especially when Dick Clark is speaking.

By john dixon (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 01:38 pm:

Stephanie, please don't think that I'm picking on you because I can tell that you're a very sweet and thoughtful lady, but "Frampton Comes Alive"?
Certainly you and millions of other young and impressionable girls (at the time)bought it and put the poster up on your bedroom wall as well. But now, in the harsh glare of present day realities(and middle age!), do you still feel that it is a truly great live recording or does it just remain one of your favorites due to the memories associated with it? Just curious. Peace.

By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 05:07 pm:

John...I'll bet few ladies are gonna forget their "big haired" rock heartthrobs of the 70's !! LOL !

By bill (195.93.50.9) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 05:15 pm:

Yep, the Sam Cooke 1963 and James Brown 1962 sets are cream of the crop.

The Garnet Mimms live set recorded, partly, here in Brighton is pretty good.

And Jimmy James & The Vaggies live were the business!!

Cheers,

Bill.

By Mark Speck (65.56.221.87) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 11:44 pm:

"The Womack Live"--Bobby Womack

Best,

Mark

By Livonia Ken (206.148.224.103) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 01:24 am:

Junior Walker & the All-Stars Live (1967) or Live! (1970) either will do.

Two great ones that are not necessarily great recordings, but are great performances are the "Love Power Peace - Live in Paris" album from James Brown and the JBs and the (not soul or pop, but ah well) "Jazz at Massey Hall" album by "The Quintet" (Bird, Diz, Roach, Powell, Mingus).

Regards,
Ken

By Eli (151.197.41.183) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 02:04 am:

Fabian..Live at the Howard....Just kidding.
A toss up between James Brown live at the Apollo and the first Motortown revue album.

By John Lester (213.123.114.217) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 02:43 am:

oooh Ken....you're the man....do you mean the one that features the introduction by the VELVELETTES!!

I wish that album had contained the Velvelettes performance too...Cal Street recalls singing their hits Needles, Saying Something plus Volare! The girls are wonderful live.....it's a pity that their Cleethorpes performance in June 2002 is not on CD cos I am sure that would feature as a top live LP for many people.

By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.9) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 05:09 am:

Jazz and blues work well live, but music such as Motown depends so much on the studio musicians and production. If you're at the gig, it's a different matter, but most live albums don't do it for me. The exception is The Motortown Revue in Paris, because most of the studio band is there - Earl Van Dyke, whose stonking version of Too Many Fish opens the set, Jack Ashford, Robert White, Eli Fontaine, Bob Cousar and Beans Bowles.

By RD (63.188.33.37) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 07:37 am:

You're absolutely correct Bankhouse Dave that's why there are so few good live albums outside of the genres you mentioned.

The Junior Walker & the All Stars album is a prime example; the album is fine when Junior isn't singing; when he sings you realize how much Motown doctored his voice in the studio.

I always measured the Four Tops live Motown album against the Temptations live albums and it simply doesn't rank with those. However, the live album the Tops recorded for ABC Dunhill does, the sound is better and its longer.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.33) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 08:30 am:

Tony Russi,
The Major Lance info for you.

Major Lance's Greatest Hits
Recorded Live at the Torch
Contempo Records COLP 1001.

tracks are,
Hey,Hey,I Wanna Make Up,My Girl,Um Um Um Um Um Um,The Beat,Ain't No Soul,Investigate,Monkey Time.

Recorded Live At The Torch,
Tunstall,
Stoke-On-Trent on December 9th,1972.

Tony,
I dont what you know about rare/northern soul,but this all-nighter called The Torch was a big name in the world of rare/northern soul.
This is what is written by the owner of the club Chris Burton on the night that Major hit town to record this Live album.
Its quite a night at the Torch,
Major Lance is on stage and tonight he's smashed every box-officec record in the book.
As he struts around the tiny stage,pouring out the songs which have earned him a place in the soul hall of fame,the excitement reaches to the rafters.
There's enough energy in the club tonight to light the town.
Soul is a feeling and means different things to different people.
Spin this album on your turntable and it'll mean something special to you.
Chris Burton
The Torch.

If you ever want to experience an all-nighter then get this album as it still sends goose bumps down my back every time I play it.
There were hundreds outside that couldnt get in,this was The Major and the crowd at there finest.
I have live albums of Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band live at the Marquee all-nighter around 1966,Jimmy James and Alan Bown as mentioned above by SoulieDave,and others at various all-nighters,but this is THE album for atmosphere.
The Torch audience's participation is and always was electrifying and Major gets the place absolutley bouncing.
His good friend Otis Leaville is there,and be it ever so briefly makes an appearance.
Mel.

By Uptight (24.55.6.144) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 06:51 pm:

Yeah, RD. Listening closely to many "live" LPs you do realize how much the recordings were "doctored," as you put it. Live album producers would often overdub vocals, add reverb, add instruments and edit the show to fit onto a vinyl album or CD. Sometimes its understandable--they want to make it more listenable as an album. It's a way of trying to fit the live experience onto a recorded medium. With the limited capacity of an album, it's a real challenge translate the live experience via an LP/CD, especially given the 1960s location recording technology.

But some producers went too far. For example, the Roberta Flack/Peabo Bryson "Live & More" album. Too much reverb, not much of a live feel to the live segments (great performances, though). Other producers have done very convincing jobs like on Marvin Gaye Live (74) where you hear the audience's appreciation, and you feel like you are there.

Great live pop and R&B albums seem to delicately balance the sound of the audience with the sound of the performance and the ambience of the venue.

By ErikT.O. Still catching up (64.228.108.123) on Friday, March 07, 2003 - 07:17 pm:

There are tons of live lp's I really dig & tons more live recordings... lately, Miles Davis' "LiveEvil' has been played a lot since turning my g-f on to that particular live Miles album (wandering if 'In Concert' or 'Dark Magus' should be my next installment in getting her into 70's Miles...)
For the 60's, I nominate the Motortown Revue in Paris, Stax-Volt Revue live lp's from both Paris & London, both Jr Walker's live lp's, King Curtis at the Fillmore West, the Aretha lp also recorded that night, and of course any James Brown live stuff even if it wasn't always that 'live'... the Chambers Bros 'Live' (double lp, half live from the Fillmore, as opposed to the earlier one(s)...
For 70's soul, both live Kool & The Gang lp's are great, so're 'Love Peace Power', 'Les McCann Live at Montreux' is really heavy especially the jam on side 4... Gil Scott-Heron's 'It's Your World', the firs(single lp) Marvin live, P-Funk Earth Tour, Stevie Wonder 'Live', among others menetioned already in this thread...
How about live lp's that should have been released?! I nominate offhand (from my limited access to live soul music) these red hot performances captured on non-audience-recorded tape... partly inspired by the studio 'fixing' of live lp's, these are the real deal-
Funkadelic 'Rocky Mountain Shakedown', every Maggott's fave bootleg lp...
Wilson Pickett in Stockholm '69 fromSwedish radio, this one's floored everyone I've played it for...
Stevie Wonder 74 London Rainbow & 73 Brighton (red hot board tapes)
Les McCann at the Bottom Line '75(?), more raw than the live lp from the Roxy a year or so later
Sly Stone in Baarn, Netherlands in 1970, heavy but brief Dutch radio b'cast
Tower of Power at the Academy of Music '74, I think this blows their live lp away...
Just a few... any comments or additions?

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 - 08:08 am:

Another UK item I have a soft spot for is 'Garnett Mimms Live in the UK'.

I witnessed a couple of the shows he undertook as part of this tour (tracks cut at 2 UK shows formed the LP content) and so it brings back good personnal memories for me.