Stellar Live performances

[ryan_d]

As the Recordings to Live and Die For thread has taken off I thought there should be one for live performances too. As our hobby should be about striving to recreate as near to the live music of an artist as possible in my opinion. I know there will be people who will state that their system is better than what they hear live or the sound of an artist or venue is too variable to reproduce, but I think the sentiment should still be kept as this.

 

Anyway, enough of the debate part. Last night I saw Pearl Jam in one of their few forays across the pond, in Manchester, England. Its th first time I have seen the band in 18 years, and what a performance. The energy given out by the band an thus given back by the crowd was immense. I've got a lot of PJ live discs and the set list typically kept us all guessing with some different covers thrown in this time. They played for 2 1/2 hours and always looked like they like they had the best job in the world.

 

They were ably supported by Gomez, who are also a favourite of mine. They did not give as energetic a show as I know they can, but it clearly wasn't their crowd and they were still good fun. All in all one of the best shows I've been to in a very long time.

 

Chris, if they are in this form when you see them, then you are in for a good night.....which always appears to be the case with this band, regardless of sound quality of the venue.

 

PLease feel free to add your own views on stellar performances.

 

All the best

 

Ryan

 

[bachrocks]

I really like your idea Ryan. And if nothing else, it at least could be an enjoyable walk down memory lane.

 

If I may add three memorable performances:

 

1) The Osmonds at the Baltimore Civic Center in the late Sixties or early Seventies (can't remember, exactly).

My first concert was with my mom and aunt to see the Osmonds. What I remember from this was not being able to hear for a few hours after the show. I think my young ears were sensitive.

 

2) Schubert's piano sonatas at a small castle/manor house in southern Bavaria in 1983.

I can't remember the painist's name, but she poured her heart and soul into this music so passionately that upon finishing, it looked like she had just been through an emotional battle. Her fatigue was so beautiful.

 

3) Ray Charles at the Hotel New Otani in Osaka, Japan for the Christmas Dinner Show in 1993.

Sitting just 15 meters from Mr. Ray Charles while enjoying a full course Christmas dinner with a friend was terribly exciting, but what struck me was how much he loved performing. Even after two hours of songs, he would not leave the stage. His people tried to get him off, but he just kept playing and playing. He is a great musician I think.

 

 

Lastly, I'd like to extend your idea Ryan to include live performances we wish we could have seen/heard.

 

1. I wish I could jump in the "Back to the Future" DeLorean and visit Bach's church in Weimar to hear him perform on the organ.

 

2. I wish instead of the Osmonds, my mom had taken me to a Led Zeppelin concert. To have seen them in the early Seventies would have been really memorable.

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I forgot about this thread!

 

One of my most memorable concerts was seeing Eric Clapton at Royal Albert Hall. Since I'm from the U.S. it's very rare for me to be in London when someone "good" is playing RAH. Everything aligned except the ticket prices from someone on the street outside the event and the concert was a blast.

 

Pearl Jam at lollapalooza awith Red Hot Chili Peppers and Soundgarden was really an experience. That's when Eddie Vedder used to climb the scaffolding next to the stage and he had more energy than the crowd!

 

Woodstock '94 was really fun until it rained. Lots of great music from all genres.

 

[ryan_d]

Pearl Jam, Chillis AND Soundgarden......now thats what I call a show. SOundgarden were one of my favourite bands in their day. I'm very jealous.

 

Ryan

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I new I forgot some of the other performers that made Lalla even better than I suggested.

 

From Wikipedia:

 

"Location: North America

 

Dates: July 18, 1992 – September 13, 1992

 

Main Stage: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ministry, Ice Cube, Soundgarden, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Pearl Jam, Lush

 

Side Stage: Jim Rose Circus, Sharkbait, Archie Bell, Porno for Pyros, Basehead, Cypress Hill, House of Pain, Sweaty Nipples, Arson Garden, Seaweed, Seam, Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., The Look People, Stone Temple Pilots, The Vulgar Boatmen, Truly, Skrew, Tribe, The Authority, Samba Hell, Café Tacuba, Rage Against the Machine"

 

[ryan_d]

Chris,

 

thats what i'm talking about when I mean stellar. It sounds like we may have a similar taste in music. Ministry at Glasgow Barrowland with helmet supporting was one of my ultimate shows, but to be honest the best gig I've ever attended was Suicidal Tendencies at Gasgow Barrowlands, July 15th 1993. My Sister's Machine were supporting and they were also superb. Didn't know them and have never heard of them since but they were definitely on form that night.

 

At rock gigs, the crowd seems to be the final instrument in the gig being a success.....if they are subdued then the gig won't live up to the expectations, and it becomes an anti-climax. The crowd at the above gig were the most active, rough, pleasant and generally fun crowd I've even been in. The PJ on Monday night ran it very close though.

 

SOme gigs will always remain in the memory and hese two will certainly live on in mine.

 

Ryan

 

ps I'm still jealous!!

 

[Fuel]

So maybe my favorite live performances:

 

John Butler Trio at Brixton Academy with 3,000 other fans. These dudes are amazing live.

Goldfrapp at Brixton Academy 11pm show playing Supernature. Nuts.

Prodigy 1995 at Reading Festival.

Black Eyed Peas at Jazz Cafe. Just before they hit it big in the UK with Justin Timberlake and 'where is the love', and IMO their music went downhill from there.

Rodrigo and Gabriela at Jazz Cafe, for the moment when they played Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here and the crowd sang all the words. Spine tingling.

 

Favorite live recordings when I wasn't there:

Hybrid (Live Angle)

Loreena McKinnit Live In Paris & Toronto

Nirvana MTV Unplugged

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Speaking of Unplugged, did anyone every make it to an actual MTV Unplugged performance? I certainly did not, but wished I could have made every one of them.