I don't think I've ever fully appreciated live albums

[HeyWayne]

Until the other morning.

Some of you may recall me harping on about a little known band called Pearl Jam, and my excitement at going to see them in August.

Well, they are quite well known for releasing "bootleg" CD's of their gigs and I waited with great anticipation for the release of the 18th August 2009 gig at the O2.

And waited.

And waited.

Then, a little over a week or so ago (isn't that a pretty little string of words?) they finally released it, and I duly ordered my copy.

It arrived the day before yesterday and I stuck it in the car for the drive to work.

O

M

Goodness!

It was like I was transported back to my seat at the gig in an instant!

I actually had tears in my eyes (luckily I was sat stationary in traffic at the time).

Amazing.

I've got several live albums by several musicians, but I truly think it's a case of "you had to be there" to really "get it" - if that makes sense.

T'was epiphanous I tell 'e.

[Florence Fennel]

Appropriate time of year to have one Wayne! I'll have a little listen to Pearl Jam, your exuberance is infectious!

[zazen999]

Thanks for cheering me up HW; I needed it today.

[Pumpkin Becki]

How did I know it was going to be a Pearl Jam thread?

[piskieinboots]

How did I know it was going to be a Pearl Jam thread?

He's the PJs new Agent

I know what ya mean Wayne, I have a live REM recording (legit) and it is awesum

[kernowyon]

I have some live albums from Depeche Mode from back in the day and more recently Nickleback which I actually 'was there' in the crowd and I love them.

but I also have some which are just 'live' albulms and I don't seem to have as much of a connection with them. maybe like you said 'you just had to have been there'

I think the recordings of the ones where you are there help reinforce the memories of an obviously enjoyable experience.

[Pumpkin Becki]

He's the PJs new Agent

I know what ya mean Wayne, I have a live REM recording (legit) and it is awesum

Ahhh, I adore REM, I may just have to do an REM number for Christmas party Karaoke this year

[Bigmallly]

I have a Queen & Thin Lizzy live album & must admit I prefer stuff out of the studio.

[pipkins]

For you Wayne

BBC News - Pearl Jam to headline Hard Rock Calling in 2010

[SlugLobber]

As somebody eagerly wanting to get her mitts on the Simple Minds gig from last night, I appreciate your enthusiasm. Some bands are just awesome, live. Others need to stay in the studio (sorry, A-ha and Elbow, but showmen your frontmen ain't...). Ones to see live for me are U2, Duran Duran, Level 42, Human League, Madness (and now Simple Minds)...oh the list goes on. Sadly Freddie croaked before I got to see Queen live, but got loads of their live stuff.

Nick Heyward (Heywood?) from Haircut 100 was PANTS live. He just sat with an acoustic guitar like it was a campfire. Made ABC extra good after him, though...

[SarzWix]

I saw Elbow supporting Coldplay at the Reebok in Bolton. Elbow were brilliant - Guy Garvey has an amazing voice! Coldplay recorded the video for Fix You at that gig, hearing that always puts a little lump in my throat now. It's sad, but I'll never go and see them (Coldplay) again, because I think their recent music is pants Same with U2, unless they advertised a tour where they play nothing but Joshua Tree backwards!

Live albums that I was 'there' include AC/DC and Metallica. I love ANY live Metallica though, just hearing the spaghetti western (from The Good, The Bad & The Ugly I think?) entrance music is enough to lift the hairs on the back of my neck...

Still trying to find a decent recording of The Verve from 2 years ago

[zazen999]

I went the Radiohead 'The Bends' pre album private duet gig thing in London [just before they hit the big time] and some of the tracks ended up on the b-side of the single; wonderful absolutely wonderful as Thom sung one track on his own - it was totally engaging and mesmerising - I was about 3ft away from him as he sung. I still have the very very limited edition t-shirt come to think of it which was given to us as we left.

My old fave live album though is Blackfoot. Great stuff.

I've also got loads of bootleg live Ryan Adams stuff; some from gigs i was at. Excellent stuff.


ETA: REM - I got Automatic for the people for my birthday one year, on CD - and took it to work and swapped it for 2 Led Zep CDs. I think I came out with a better deal there - sorry Pam.

[Pumpkin Becki]

I love ANY live Metallica though, just hearing the spaghetti western (from The Good, The Bad & The Ugly I think?) entrance music is enough to lift the hairs on the back of my neck...

We saw 'Tallica at Wembley Arena on the Black Album tour. Jaymz still had his wrist bandaged after the pyrotechnics accident. They were brilliant - I've never headbanged so hard - I walked round like I'd got whiplash for about two weeks after.

[zazen999]

We saw 'Tallica at Wembley Arena on the Black Album tour. Jaymz still had his wrist bandaged after the pyrotechnics accident. They were brilliant - I've never headbanged so hard - I walked round like I'd got whiplash for about two weeks after.

I saw 'Tallica at Reading one year. Bangtastic

[Pumpkin Becki]

I saw 'Tallica at Reading one year. Bangtastic

Yeah Baby!!!