Greatest Live Albums
by daftpunter 
Since the 5th grade, when I convinced my mom to buy me an album with a bunch of cartoon characters singing songs about cold gin and rock 'n' rollin' all night, I've been in love with live albums. I didn't go to concerts until after high school (my first being Queen with Billy Squire at the old Philly Spectrum in 1981) so my connection with live music was in an album format. My favorite band being the Who I can kick myself for never seeing them with the original lineup. Just this year my brother was kind enough to buy me a tremendous birthday present, my first Who concert in Atlantic City. Old men CAN kick ass. This is my take on the best the live format has to offer. It's not quite to 100 yet, but I'm sure we'll get it there. The top 20 have some semblance of order. The remainder will need tweaking. Offer your advice. I never own enough live music. And yes, someday I may find a Dead Dick's Pick's that I may actually list (editors note: Found it. see entry 11). Maybe even a Pearl Jam?
- Chart updated: 03/10/2019 16:45
- (Created: 05/17/2013 08:33).
- Chart size: 93 albums.
There is 1 comment for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Greatest Live Albums has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 3 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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Jam bands suck. Except this one. The Georgia show could also go in this slot with Mountain Jam that has Edgar Winter playing...but this is just on fire from minute one. Duane Allman was a God. He MADE Layla and other assorted Love songs the great document it was. Here he proves that he and his brother were part of the greatest live act ever. Editorial note: So where is the logic of "click it or ticket" when you can jump on a HOG and propel yourself through space on a motorized slingshot on the very same road? Death by cycle. A crying shame.
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,745
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I don't think they've ever released a live album with John Cale in the band. A shame. If they were this good with Yule, can you imagine how good they were with the original four?
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
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Jerry Lee likes to pick up teenagers. But instead of a 13 year cousin he picks this backing band and probably had them out of breath before he got halfway through the set. Killer!
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
Year of Release:
1964
Appears in:
Rank Score:
618
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Hey, I've got good idea. Let's sing a song about how bad the prison is, then once I've got the inmates all riled up, play it again. Yeah, that's the ticket!
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
Year of Release:
1969
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Rank Score:
988
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Amazing how this starts out as geek rock and works it's way to stadium pros. The first half is revelatory. A great band that didn't know it yet. Isn't that when they're all the best?
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
Year of Release:
1982
Appears in:
Rank Score:
734
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11. (=)
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Judas!
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
Year of Release:
1998
Appears in:
Rank Score:
774
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Ok...Cruising through Lancaster PA found a really cool record store that actually had a bunch of Dick's Picks for sale. Doing my research DP's Vol 4 is my first foray into the vault. I'm blown away. I understand this is supposed to be "THE" concert to own of the GD...and I can see why. I've never been a fan. Actually avoiding the Dead at all costs in the past. But...just like my teenage aversion to Springsteen, my Christgau inspired hatred of Journey and all thing metal, this too shall pass. I'm in. This document did it. The sweet harmonies, the interplay, hell I'm even digging Dark Star and I swore I'd never listen to the damn thing all the way through. This won't be my last Dick's Pick...but it may be my favorite...forever.
[First added to this chart: 05/18/2016]
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[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
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It's not about their technical proficiency, their cartoon looks or the sophomoric banter. It's about the fact that in the fifth grade this album made me join the Kiss Army and want to start buying rock and roll albums. Sometimes the whole is more important than the parts. Gotta admit Deuce is pretty awesome here.
[First added to this chart: 05/17/2013]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
498
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Lowell George was so cool. The band is tight and many of these versions are THE versions (as many great live albums are). Yes, Lowell, I'll be your Tennessee Lamb (ok, that didn't sound right) ;)
[First added to this chart: 05/23/2013]
Year of Release:
1978
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Rank Score:
468
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Total albums: 56. Page 1 of 6
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Greatest Live Albums composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 2 | 2% | |
| 1960s | 11 | 12% | |
| 1970s | 39 | 42% | |
| 1980s | 20 | 22% | |
| 1990s | 7 | 8% | |
| 2000s | 10 | 11% | |
| 2010s | 4 | 4% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Johnny Cash | 2 | 2% | |
| Miles Davis | 2 | 2% | |
| Talking Heads | 2 | 2% | |
| Bob Dylan | 2 | 2% | |
| Neil Young & Crazy Horse | 2 | 2% | |
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | 2 | 2% | |
| Nirvana | 2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Greatest Live Albums chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 65 from 93rd to 28th For Sale: Live At Maxwell's 1986 by The Replacements |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 28th to 29th James Brown Live At The Apollo by James Brown |
| Down 1 from 29th to 30th Before The Flood by Bob Dylan & The Band |
| Down 1 from 30th to 31st The Beach Boys In Concert by The Beach Boys |
Greatest Live Albums similar charts
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAVORITE LIVE ALBUMS |  Captain_Dude | Custom chart | 2015 | |
| Essential Live Recordings |  covecove | Custom chart | 2014 |  |
| My favourite live albums. | garycottier | Custom chart | 2016 |  |
| You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore - Best Live Albums | Error Finn | Custom chart | 2016 |  |
| Best Ever Live Albums |  AAL2014 | Custom chart | 2025 | |
| Live is live |  Ottokar | Custom chart | 2017 |  |
| Gig Recs For Those Who Can't Get Laid |  Applerill | Custom chart | 2020 | |
| Top 74 Greatest Music Albums |  ClassicRock1 | Overall chart | 2017 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s | Ashmark | 1970s decade chart | 2018 | |
| Top 90 Music Albums of the 1970s |  Juiceman96 | 1970s decade chart | 2016 | |
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Other custom charts by daftpunter
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greatest Live Albums | daftpunter | Custom chart | 2019 | |
Greatest Live Albums ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
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N.B. The average rating for this chart will not be reliable as it has been rated very few times.
Showing all 3 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 02/02/2015 23:51 | JasonZaia | 171 | 89/100 |
| ! | 02/21/2014 12:29 | PauloPaz | 1,759 | 89/100 |
| ! | 05/24/2013 16:14 | Error Finn | 115 | 83/100 |
Greatest Live Albums comments
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From JasonZaia 02/02/2015 23:51 | #133791
One of the best charts I've ever seen on BEA, and certainly, without doubt, the best LIVE chart I've seen! Only thing is, I'm incredibly surprised that you had Johnny Cash's 'Live at San Quentin' so far up above 'Live at Folsom Prison'. Most would consider it vice-versa with 'Folsom' even going as far as to be considered Johnny's overall BEST album. But hey, if 'San Quentin's' the one for you, who am I to argue with that, right? 5 Stars!
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