Outstanding top 20 live albums of the exceptional 1970s ranked based on data

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As a music enthusiast who has spent countless hours lost in the rhythmic tapestry of melodies and beats that span decades, I find myself utterly captivated by the list you’ve presented here. The 1970s, it seems, was a golden era for live albums, with some truly iconic performances that have stood the test of time.

Following my review on the greatest live albums ever, I decided to delve further and examine live albums from specific time periods. Initially, I ranked the top live albums from the 1980s. This analysis yielded some surprising results, and to my astonishment, just one live album from the ’80s managed to secure a spot on the all-time best list.

Turning to the 1970s was when I found myself, as it was an extraordinary era for live music concerts. The ’70s seemed to ignite a wave of live albums, particularly in the realm of rock music, which inherently lends itself well to capturing live performances and a vibrant ambiance.

When evaluating the top live albums from the 1970s, I’m employing the same criteria as the other two references. This assessment is based on data collected by BestEverAlbums.com, which compiled over 60,000 greatest album charts along with more than nine million member ratings to generate a collection of best-ever album lists.

The top 20 live albums of the 1970s ranked 

This method often includes mentioning various genres, making the rankings quite intriguing. You’d think it would favor the most commercially successful, well-known hits, but it does indeed include those, yet also features lesser-known artists and live albums as well.

That leads to a ranking and list of 20 live albums from the 1970s, which like the others, will surprise many. It will make people question entries, as I have myself. And as always, people will wonder how on earth certain great live records of that era just don’t make it to the list. Let’s dive in and take a look at the 1970s caught live. 

 20 – Genesis – Seconds Out

In 1977, this album represented another bold move for Genesis. They had successfully navigated the shift from Peter Gabriel to Phil Collins, but on this live recording, they delved back into their past for the tracks. It’s intriguing to compare it with the 1982 album “Three Sides Live“, as this one features longer and more dramatic songs. Notably, it includes a stellar post-Gabriel rendition of “Suppers Ready.” Genesis fans often find themselves divided between preferring the Gabriel era and the subsequent one; this album manages to bridge that gap beautifully, showcasing the best aspects of both periods.

19 – UFO – Strangers In The Night

Michael Shenker, an extraordinary musician, bid farewell to the band following these concerts. The album encapsulates the early peak of the UK group and serves as a respectable live recording from that era. Shenker’s guitar takes center stage, along with the two standout tracks, “Shoot Shoot” and “Doctor Doctor.” I believe this album deserves recognition among the top 20 live albums of the 1970s, but it might be more appreciated by dedicated UFO fans. There are many other superior live albums in my opinion.

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18 – Hawkwind – Space Ritual

I still struggle to get my head around Lemmy from Motorhead playing sci-fi-styled fantasy-based prog rock. Hawkwind had a whole audio-visual show to back up the music. But the sound is pretty good, too, on its own. Although I do feel as though it has dated somewhat. I’m also surprised they didn’t include the band’s big hit single “Silver Machine” but perhaps they were trying to move on or even away from that. For me, it’s another surprise entry on the list. 

17 – Townes Van Zandt – Live At The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas

This may not be well known as an album but it should be. John Townes Van Zandt was quite a guitar player. But like many he suffered for, or perhaps with, his art. This live alum from a small venue in Texas was a fairly rough and ready recording when released in 1977. It is, though, all the better for that and has Van Zandt at his best with a small crowd. A great album but yet another wild card for the top 20. 

16 – The Rolling Stones – Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out

Released in 1970 after being recorded towards the end of 1969, this album remains fresh with its unique musical style. It is characterized by its raw energy and the band performing exceptionally well. It marks Mick Taylor’s first appearances as a replacement for the late Brian Jones. While it garners mixed reactions at times, some, including me, consider it the best live album by The Rolling Stones. However, others argue that certain tracks are uninteresting, dull, overly long, or self-indulgent. Ultimately, opinions on this album vary!

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15 – Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive

This album is absolutely essential; some may view it as a stroke of luck or an excessively produced recording, but I find it exceptionally impressive – a remarkable double live album. It paved the way for numerous other live albums to emerge. “Frampton Comes Alive,” needless to say, was a massive chart success and a coveted record for many music enthusiasts. It seems that someone at A&M Records made an astute decision to expand the initial concept of a single album into a double album, offering twice the amount of fantastic music.

14 – Led Zeppelin – The Song Remains The Same

A notable band boasting numerous live performances throughout their career, each eliciting varying reactions. This live album by Led Zeppelin, considered among the finest, was released in 1976 concurrently with a movie titled after it. The film, though entertaining, had its rough patches blending on-stage and off-stage moments. Critics occasionally pointed out issues with sound quality and production. Over time, multiple reissues and variations have been made available to cater to different tastes.

13 – Lou Reed – Rock N Roll Animal

Some people believe that this album represents Lou Reed playing it safe, with a focus on commercial success. Others argue that it undermines some of his finest works, whether solo or with the Velvet Underground. Regardless, it’s characterized by its raw, bold, and forceful sound, and it did achieve chart success. Reed’s live album was unveiled in 1974, having been recorded in New York City the previous December. It attained gold status and peaked at number 45 on the US charts and 26 in the UK. If you’re seeking a powerful performance by Reed, this album delivers.

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12 – Grateful Dead – Europe 1972

Initially, the idea for this project was to offset the high expenses of touring across Europe for the band. The album signified two significant changes in the band’s lineup: Keith Godchaux and his wife Donna Jean joined, and it marked the final performance for founding member Ron “Pigpen” Mckernan who passed away shortly after the album was released in 1972. This triple album was a massive success and earned a double platinum certification. The band was already well-known for their live performances, and this record only strengthened that reputation.

11 – Bob Marley And The Wailers – Live!

This album played a significant role in introducing reggae music to the United States, boosting Bob Marley and the Wailers’ reputation as a leading act. The recording was done impromptu in London, following Chris Blackwell, head of Island Records, being impressed by the first night of a two-night concert in London. Impressed by what he heard, he promptly organized the recording session. A shrewd decision for an outstanding album that delivered the definitive rendition of “No Woman, No Cry”.

10 – Jackson Browne – Running On Empty

This live album presents an uncommon yet exceptional approach, as it immerses listeners in the tour experience rather than just the stage performances. It offers glimpses of Jackson Browne behind the scenes – backstage, on the tour bus, in hotels – along with his live performances on stage. This format deviates from the typical trend of a live album being a compilation of hit songs, as none of these tracks had been released previously in studio versions. It’s a fresh take on a live record and showcases some fantastic tunes by Browne.

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9 – The Band – The Last Waltz

This triple-album live performance, accompanied by a documentary film, serves as a commemoration of The Band’s final show. Given the impressive lineup featuring artists like Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Emmy Lou Harris, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young, this record is likely to be exceptional. Although the tone might vary for some listeners, as a farewell concert, it stands out as an extraordinary album.

8 – Thin Lizzy – Live And Dangerous

This selection is particularly appealing due to its vibrant, lively ambiance and authentic sounds. It’s been clarified that any claims of extensive post-production enhancement have been debunked. If you’re yearning for a gritty, guitar-driven rock ‘n’ roll track with Phil Lynott’s gruff vocals and bass lines, this 1978 release truly delivers.

7 – Neil Young and Crazy Horse – Live Rust 

Neil Young and Crazy Horse produced a movie documenting their live tour titled “Rust Never Sleeps“. This album serves as the soundtrack to that film. It captures Young and his band exceptionally well during that period in 1978, when the recordings were made, before its release the following year. The album features several strong songs, memorable performances, and outstanding guitar work.

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6 – Deep Purple – Made In Japan

This remarkable live recording features the iconic Deep Purple lineup at its peak: Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, and Richie Blackmore. They performed their finest songs with unparalleled skill, producing a sonically excellent and impressive performance. It’s a standout rock album that belongs in any top 20 list.

5 – Jimi Hendrix – Band Of Gypsys

After moving past his brief stint with previous projects, Jimi Hendrix established the Band of Gypsys. This transition brought about a fresh set of songs and a more funky musical approach. The recordings were made at the Filmore East in New York City during the period between December 31, 1969, and January 1, 1970, encompassing four performances. Hendrix’s untimely demise resulted in numerous compilations and live albums, with this one being particularly well-regarded among them.

4 – Keith Jarrett – The Koln Concert

It’s worth mentioning that among the top 20 greatest live albums of all time, there is a significant variety of genres, with jazz being particularly well-represented. Notably, Keith Jarrett’s piano recording and jazz album is highly prominent in this list. This fact also places it towards the peak of the musical landscape of the 1970s. It holds the distinction of being both the best-selling solo jazz album and the top-selling piano recording ever made. Despite being recorded under challenging conditions on a less-than-ideal piano, Jarrett manages to produce a timeless classic.

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3  – The Who – Live At Leeds

This album by The Who is often viewed as the epitome of live rock albums, showcasing an exceptional performance by the band. It was crafted to resemble an authentic bootleg in terms of appearance, atmosphere, and sound, which contributed significantly to its uniqueness as a live recording. The band delivers excellent rock tunes, although not every track is a hit, but each one carries a strong sense of energy and meaning.

2 – The Allman Brothers Band – At Fillmore East

This album is often mentioned in discussions about exceptional live records because The Allman Brothers Band were skilled at engaging audiences. Performing at Filmore East just enhances its authenticity, and their extended jamming sessions within the album are noteworthy. Despite having only seven tracks, one of them, “Whipping Post,” spans 23 minutes, featuring Duane Allman’s exceptional guitar playing.

1 – Neil Young and Crazy Horse – Rust Never Sleeps

There’s plenty of “Live Rust” around these days. Originally, it was part of the movie from the “Rust Never Sleeps” tour, which ranked at number seven. However, what we have now is not a film, but a live album from the same tour. Interestingly enough, this live album was released first in June 1979, with “Live Rust” following it in November of the same year. It’s somewhat unusual for a live album to be structured like this.

Despite being recorded during a tour, there’s no “no overdubs” label on this particular track. In fact, quite the opposite happened; extensive studio work and production were done, which trimmed the song’s starts and ends, reducing the crowd noise and creating a more polished sound. It could be considered live music, but it still retains the quality of good music. Not only was it the top-rated live recording from the 1970s, but it also topped the list for the best live albums ever made.

Summary

8 out of the presented list found their place in the elite top 20 of all time. Interestingly, the highest-ranking album was shared between both lists, suggesting that the 1970s might justifiably claim the title of THE pinnacle decade for live music albums. On the other hand, only one album from the 1980s made it to this prestigious list – Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense. However, it is important to note that these rankings remain subjective, but with over 60,000 views supporting the findings, there’s a definite scientific backing to bolster their credibility.

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2024-10-27 13:01