From Dylan to disco, Beyoncé to Bob Marley: the 30 best live albums ever – ranked!

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CacheCoyote

Here is the list of 11 live albums in chronological order:

1. **James Brown - Live at the Apollo (1963)**: All three of Brown's Live at the Apollo albums are essential, but the first volume clinches the prize: it's atmospheric, electrifying, and it captures classic chitlin' circuit soul, simultaneously raw and incredibly tight.
2. **Jerry Lee Lewis - Live at the Star Club, Hamburg (1964)**: Live at the Star Club is a badly mixed recording of Jerry Lee Lewis on his uppers in every sense: his career has flatlined and his performance sounds like a 40-minute advert for the alarmingly invigorating properties of amphetamines.
3. **Jimi Hendrix Experience - Live at Monterey (2007)**: There's stiff competition for the title of the best live Jimi Hendrix album – not least from 1970's Band of Gypsys – but Monterey just squeaks it, thanks to the almost tangible crackle of excitement about the show that introduced Hendrix to America, not to mention the chaos about the band's feedback-laden performance.
4. **Aretha Franklin - Amazing Grace (1972)**: If you want secular live Aretha, 1971's Live at Fillmore West should be your first stop. But for emotional heft and astonishing vocal power, her gospel performance on Amazing Grace – recorded in her father's LA church – is absolutely unbeatable, regardless of your faith or lack thereof.
5. **Van Morrison - It's Too Late to Stop Now Vol 1 (1974)**: Latterly, Van Morrison's reputation as a live performer has often centred on his irascible attitude. It was not ever thus: the performances here are fluid, extraordinary things, the songs bent and shaped in the moment to sensational effect.
6. **The Who - Live at Leeds (1970)**: There's stiff competition for the title of the best live Jimi Hendrix album – not least from 1970's Band of Gypsys – but Monterey just squeaks it, thanks to the almost tangible crackle of excitement about the show that introduced Hendrix to America, not to mention the chaos about the band's feedback-laden performance.
7. **Nina Simone - 'Nuff Said! (1968)**: Nina Simone's discography is packed with incredible live albums – from 1959's At Town Hall to 1976's fraught Live at Montreux – but none have quite the emotional charge of Nuff Said's recordings from Westbury Music fair, three days after Martin Luther King's assassination:
8. **Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series Vol 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966, The 'Royal Albert Hall' Concert (1998)**: Bob Dylan's Manchester Free Trade Hall show (initially wrongly credited on bootleg recordings as the Royal Albert Hall) may well be the most famous gig in rock history. The story is incredibly familiar ("Judas!") but what's amazing is how tensely gripping the recording is, even when you know what's going to happen.
9. **Bob Dylan - Live at the Apollo (1963)**:
10. **Aretha Franklin - Live at Fillmore West (1971)**:
11. **Bobby "Blue" Bland - Live! at the Star Club, Hamburg 1964**:
 
🤯 I'm loving this list of live albums! You gotta respect the classics like James Brown's Apollo album 🎸. And Jerry Lee Lewis's Star Club show is just wild, I mean, he's on some crazy stuff 😂. Jimi Hendrix Experience at Monterey is a no-brainer - that performance was pure magic ✨. Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace record is seriously the most emotional thing I've ever heard 💔. And Van Morrison's It's Too Late to Stop Now Vol 1 is just incredible, the guy can bring it every time 🎤. The Who's Live at Leeds is another highlight - that Pete Townshend energy is infectious 🤘. Nina Simone's Nuff Said! album still gives me chills today 😲. And Bob Dylan's 1966 Royal Albert Hall show... what can I say, the guy's a genius 🎸.
 
omg u gotta love jimi hendrix's live albums 🤯 they're like the ultimate thrill ride... Monterey just takes it to another level tho 🎸 i mean, that performance at the monterey pop festival is iconic in every sense of the word 💥 and don't even get me started on van morrison's it's too late to stop now vol 1 - his live performances are like a work of art, man 🎨
 
🎸 I'm loving this latest live album reissue series - it's like they're giving us a chance to relive some of the most iconic moments in music history 🤯. But can we talk about how fascinating (and sometimes cringeworthy) these early recordings are? Like, Jerry Lee Lewis on amphetamines is just wild 😂. And at the same time, it's amazing that Aretha Franklin's gospel performance on Amazing Grace still holds up today - her voice is just otherworldly 🙌.

And what's interesting to me is how these live albums capture not just the performances themselves, but also the cultural context in which they were made. Like, Jimi Hendrix's Live at Monterey was a game-changer for him (and America) because it introduced his music to a wider audience 📺. And Aretha Franklin's gospel performance on Amazing Grace was like a bridge between her secular and spiritual sides - it's no wonder she's still revered today for both aspects of her artistry 💖.

It's also crazy how much the quality of these recordings has changed over time - from the muddy mix of Jerry Lee Lewis to the crisp, clear sound of modern live albums 🎧. But even with those technical limitations, these classic performances still pack an emotional punch.
 
I gotta say, what's up with number 9? They mention that it's essential but then kinda diss its quality by saying the first volume of James Brown's Live at the Apollo is better 🤔. I mean, can't we just have a top 10 without arguing over who comes in last? Let's be real, all these live albums are fire and we should be celebrating that 😎
 
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omg u guys r gonna love dis!! 🤩 live albums r the best, right?! i just read about dis list of iconic ones and i'm like totally blown away by the top spot goin to jimi hendrix's monterey 2007!!! 😲 i mean, who doesn't love a good feedback-laden jam session? but seriously, van morrison's it's too late to stop now vol 1 is like, my new fave album ever! 🙌 his live performances r just so soulful and raw... and aretha franklin's amazing grace is like the ultimate gospel vibes 💖 what about u guys?! which one r u most hyped for? 🤗
 
omg, i feel you 🤗 u know wut i mean by live albums? like, they just capture the energy of a performance so perfectly 😍 james brown's first live album is literally my fave too!! it's like u can feel the crowd and the band vibin together 💃🏽🕺. and can we talk about nina simone's 'nuff said? it's like she's channeling all her emotions into those songs 🎤😭. anyway, what's ur fave live album of all time? 😁
 
omg u guys gotta check out jimi hendrix experience - live at monterey 🤯 its like 3 mins into the album and hes just losin it with feedback 😂 but in a good way?? also aretha franklin amazing grace is so emotional i cried the first time i listened to it 🎵
 
🤩 I'm loving this list of live albums 🎵! The fact that it's all about capturing the energy and emotion of a performance is just so cool! For me, Monterey by Jimi Hendrix Experience always gets me pumped up 💥. But I also have to give some love to Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace - her voice is just incredible 🙌. And can we talk about how underrated Nina Simone's Nuff Said! is? It's like she's pouring her heart out on stage, you can feel the emotion radiating through every note 😭. What's your go-to live album?
 
I'm all about that live music vibe 💥🎵. I mean, can you think of anything more electrifying than a performance by Jimi Hendrix 🤯? The way he just takes it to another level, even in his first gigs like the one at Monterey 🌊. And Van Morrison's It's Too Late to Stop Now Vol 1 is like nothing else - fluid, extraordinary, and just plain awesome! 🎶

But you know what? I think we can all learn from Bobby "Blue" Bland's Live at the Star Club in Hamburg 🤔. I mean, this guy was a true legend, but even he wasn't immune to the highs and lows of life. It's a reminder that even when we're up on stage, performing for thousands, we're still human beings with our own struggles 😬.

And can we talk about Aretha Franklin for a sec? 🙌 The way she pours her heart out in Amazing Grace is just...wow 🎶. I mean, it's not just the music itself, but the emotion and vulnerability that comes with sharing something so personal like that 💕. It's what makes live music truly unforgettable 💥.
 
This list of live albums is a total game-changer for music fans 🤯. But you know what's even more interesting? How these artists reflect the social climate of their time. Like, James Brown's Live at the Apollo (1963) is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the Civil Rights Movement - it's raw, electrifying, and totally in-your-face 😱. And Jerry Lee Lewis's Live at the Star Club, Hamburg (1964)? That's like a trainwreck you can't look away from - his performance is chaotic, but you can't help but be mesmerized by his energy 💥.

And then there's Jimi Hendrix Experience's Live at Monterey (2007) - that album screams 1960s counterculture vibe 🌟. But what's fascinating about Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace (1972)? It's like a time capsule of the feminist movement and the power of gospel music to transcend boundaries 🙏.

It's also worth noting how these artists' lives intersect with politics. Like, Bob Dylan's Live at the Apollo (1963) was performed just as the Civil Rights Act was being debated in Congress 🤝. And Van Morrison's It's Too Late to Stop Now Vol 1 (1974)? That album captures the mood of a nation coming together in protest against Vietnam War protests 🎸.

All in all, this list is not just about great live music - it's about the cultural and historical context that made these performances so iconic 💥.
 
I'm like totally against the idea that The Who's Live at Leeds is overrated 🤔🎸. I mean, it's a classic and all, but some of those tracks can sound kinda cheesy by today's standards 💁‍♀️. On the other hand, I'm super convinced that Live at Fillmore West is Aretha Franklin's magnum opus 🙌💃. But wait, what if I'm wrong? Maybe it's just my own biased taste in soul music 😒🎶... no, scratch that, I totally think Jerry Lee Lewis was on some crazy meds when he recorded Live at the Star Club 💥😂!
 
I'm utterly fascinated by the evolution of live albums in the 60s and beyond 🎸. The way Jimi Hendrix Experience's Monterey captures the raw energy of his debut in America is truly captivating 💥. Meanwhile, Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace still gives me chills to this day - her vocal range is simply awe-inspiring 🙌. The Who's Live at Leeds is also a highlight of my list, showcasing Pete Townshend's incredible guitar work and the band's chaotic stage presence 🤘. I've always been intrigued by Nina Simone's 'Nuff Said! - it's like she's pouring her heart out on stage in those Westbury Music Fair recordings ❤️. What's interesting is how some of these albums have become timeless classics, while others are more situational - like Live at the Star Club with Jerry Lee Lewis... that one's a tough listen 😕.
 
the list of live albums is straight fire 🤩 i'm not gonna lie, some of these picks are a bit out of left field for me but i gotta respect the artists and their performances 💯 so yeah, jimi hendrix's monterey show is def on my list - that guitar work is still giving me chills 🎸 but what really caught my attention is aretha franklin's amazing grace - her vocals on this album are insane 🤯 i mean, she's already a legend for a reason
 
The best live albums are often the ones that capture a moment in time, you know? Like Jimi Hendrix's Monterey gig – it's like he's electrifying the whole room with just his guitar 🤯. But for me, it's not just about the performer, it's also about the energy of the crowd and the place where they're performing. I mean, can you imagine being in that Apollo Theater in 1963? The vibes must have been crazy! And Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace performance is like a masterclass in emotional depth – she's not just singing, she's living through her music 💔.
 
Man, I'm loving this list of live albums 🎶. You gotta admit, some of these recordings are straight fire 🔥. I mean, who doesn't love the raw energy of Jerry Lee Lewis's first Live at the Star Club performance? 😂 It's like he's on a whole different level, you know what I'm saying?

And then there's Jimi Hendrix - Monterey is like the ultimate live album experience 🤯. The way he tears into "Wild Thing" and "Hey Joe"... it gives me chills every time.

Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace is next up, and let me tell you, that woman can SING 🔊. It's like she's channeling the spirit of soul itself.

But what really gets me about this list is how it shows just how diverse and incredible live music can be 🌎. From Jerry Lee Lewis to Jimi Hendrix to Aretha Franklin... each one brings their own unique vibe to the table 💥.

And I gotta say, I'm loving the selection of classic rock albums - The Who's Live at Leeds is like the holy grail of live albums for many of us 🤘.
 
Mon 7th November 🎸👍, I gotta say, this list is kinda crazy 🤯, like, Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace (1972) on number 4 is all about that emotional vibe 💔, and it's hard to top, you know? Like Jimi Hendrix Experience's Live at Monterey (2007) is almost there, but that Monterey show was so iconic 🌟. And what's up with the Who's Live at Leeds (1970), I mean, it's a classic 🤘, but not as raw as some of the other live albums on this list 😏. Nina Simone's 'Nuff Said! (1968) is straight fire 🔥, though - that Westbury Music fair performance was like 3 days after MLK's assassination, you feel me? It's like she poured her emotions all over the mic 💖
 
I gotta say, the list of live albums is pretty stacked 🤯! I mean, who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned concert vibe? But if I'm being real, there's one album that stands out to me - **James Brown - Live at the Apollo (1963)**. The way it captures classic chitlin' circuit soul is just magic ✨. And let's be real, who can resist that energetic atmosphere and raw talent? It's like a time machine to the 60s! 🕺
 
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