Love them or loathe them? – live albums

As I write I am listening to The Mule, a nine and half minute long track from Deep Purple’s classic live album, Made In Japan. Unfortunately, said track is almost entirely a drum solo, not the most entertaining of listens. Ian Paice is undoubtedly one of the great rock drummers (up there with Keith Moon and John Bonham) but a drum solo is solely a means of resting the other band members (notice I didn’t say other musicians J) and not entertainment. I don’t even understand that concept – surely if anyone needs a rest mid-concert in a rock band it’s the drummer?

Anyway, drum solo’s such as The Mule are what put many off foraying into the territory of the live album and nowadays the live album has lost much of its charm and value, becoming a stopgap between releases rather than events in and of themselves as they were in the glory days of the 1970s.

So, for the live virgin, where is good place to start? Here are my starters for six:

· Strangers In The Night by UFO
The CD re-release captures the whole gig from Chicago. Many a great standout track on the album that showcases British rock legends at the peak of their powers. One of the many 70’s live albums that was allegedly doctored to remove imperfections in the sound, although some claim this was only to replace drum sounds missed due to faulty microphone on the night.

· Live And Dangerous by Thin Lizzy
Generally regarded as the finest live album of all time but, unlike others, not a complete gig but culled from a number of concerts on the tour as well as a track recorded at a soundcheck. Features all the songs commonly found on ‘Dad Rocks’ compilations plus some of their less popularly known classics, including a jam with Huey Lewis (of the News fame). This is the most famous album accused of being doctored but certainly not the kind of fiddling found nowadays perpetuated by ProTools on modern live records.

· Made In Japan by Deep Purple
One of the newer live records in my collection but rapidly becoming a favourite. Captures Mark Two of the band in full flow over three nights in Japan and showcases the musicianship and skill of these pioneers of heavy rock.

· One More From The Road by Lynyrd Skynyrd
A classic. I now own the deluxe version – after wearing out my tape version - with the full concert and a bunch of alternative takes which, to be honest I’ve not really listened to as I don’t see the point of such additions unless one is a totally dedicated fan that you want to listen to solos to spot how they are different. Anyway, the album is a glorious piece of 70’s southern rock, blues, country and boogie as Skynyrd rip through a storming set. Includes the amazing guitar playing of new band member Stevie Gaines who was lost to us not long afterwards in the air crash that so cruelly killed members of the band at their height of the careers.

· Pulse by Pink Floyd
The only 90’s entry here is from Pink Floyd’s tour in support of The Division Bell. This is the closest many of us are likely to get to seeing (there is a DVD version) or hearing the Floyd live following the loss of Syd and Rick. The versions of Comfortably Numb and Wish You Were Here (two of my all time favourite songs) make the hairs stand up on my neck every time.

· If You Want Blood... - AC/DC
My personal favourite as Acca Dacca rip through a stonking set at the old Glasgow Apollo. You can hear the blood, sweat and tears they put into the set. Modern AC/DC isn’t a patch of this classic Bon Scott led line up and if you try no other record on this list, try this one.