Hot Take/ Musical Confession Thread!

Aron said:
For me, live albums can be hit or miss. I really hate it when I come across those fake live recordings that were popular in the 70's. And some musicians are just better in the studio than they are on stage. That said, there are some live albums where the energy from the audience is something that enhances the performances. Johnny Cash's prison albums crackle with energy because of that audience. There is an electricity to that live version of 'Folsom Prison Blues' that is unmatched on the very good studio version. I wouldn't have wanted to be in that audience, for obvious reasons, so being able to experience those live recordings outside of that actual setting is ideal.

But you also have other live albums that have their own unique atmosphere that sort of transports you to that scene where they were recorded. Holly Golightly's "Up The Empire" has bootleg quality sound, but whenever I listen to it, I feel like I'm in a dark British pub watching Holly and her band tear through a great set of songs. I could never have actually been there in that place and in that time, but that album always makes me feel like I am there.
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I think Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club is a good example of this. I heard they have turned down the audience volume on reissues, which seems a weird choice to me. I think the original is incredible.
 
dhodo said:
I think Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club is a good example of this. I heard they have turned down the audience volume on reissues, which seems a weird choice to me. I think the original is incredible.
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Yes. This is another great example of a live record that puts you in that place with that crowd. The crowd on the reissue I have is still pretty damn loud and into it.
 
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