It just might be the case that the 1970s produced some of the best live albums around, and that doesn’t just concern their quality, whether music or recording is concerned, but also the quantity, as it seems that the list of brilliant live albums from the seventies could go on and on.
We could start with some that would immediately come to mind to any music lover - from the Allman Brothers Band’s At Fillmore East (1971), the Grateful Dead's Europe ’72 (1972), The Band’s The Last Waltz (1978), and others.
Yet, making another selection of brilliant live albums from the seventies that are on par with these can be a very long process, so here are just another 17 that deserve rightful praise.
These live albums from the 1970s are still gems worth listening to
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – 4 Way Street (1971)
The relations within the band might have been in disarray when the concerts when the songs included here were recorded (and stories of those still circulate), but on stage, the quality of the music and the mastery these guys possessed at the time sound as if they were untouchable. The egos might have been up to the sky, but they produced magic here.
Curtis Mayfield – Curtis Live! (1971)
After leaving The Impressions, Curtis Mayfield continued his musical excellence, which is evident in this then-double-album live set recorded in New York City. Most of the tracks come from the first set. Along with Mayfield’s brilliant music, the band was in full swing, reaching a peak throughout. The album was panned at the time by some critics who had to retract their opinions later on.
Fela Kuti and The Africa ’70 With Ginger Baker – Live! (1971)
Neither Fela Kuti nor his band needed much fire to sound great on this live-in-the-studio album, as they probably played more live gigs than they did "official" studio recordings. Here, they were aided on two tracks by another fire—former Cream drummer Ginger Baker, who seems to have added an extra spark, just in case.
The Velvet Underground – Live At Max’s Kansas City (1972)
By the time Atlantic released this album as a stop-gap measure, Lou Reed had already left the band, but it seems that the renowned label picked the right one, as this album comprises some of the last live sessions Velvets recorded with Reed. The recording might have been on the verge of crap, but the music was brilliant, nonetheless.
Jimmy Smith – Root Down (1972)
If you are wondering what an album of what is considered ‘standard’ jazz is doing here, don’t, as this album is undoubtedly one of the progenitors of what is now labeled as acid jazz, soul jazz, and whatnot. Full of moves and grooves, with the late Mr. Smith in full swing mode.
Bill Withers – Live At Carnegie Hall (1973)
Withers had a mega hit with “Ain’t No Sunshine,” considered one of the archetypal MOR hits, but there was never anything MOR about his music or his approach to it, and this album amply shows it. It also shows that Withers was a brilliant songwriter with a beautiful voice.
Bob Dylan & The Band – Before The Flood (1974)
What a moment for Dylan to release his first live album! With such a palette of songs to choose from and The Band at their playing prime, there is that chemistry between all involved, with Dylan, the musical chameleon that he always was, giving each song here another look, another touch, that wasn’t there on the original studio recordings.
Joni Mitchell – Miles of Aisles (1974)
Another great artist, another first live album set. It was also Mitchell’s first live tour with a band, as she previously did it primarily solo. She combines the band recordings with those done solo, but what shines through no matter what is the brilliance of her songwriting and her incredible vocals.
Marvin Gaye – Marvin Gaye Live! (1974)
Due to some traumatic events in his life, Gaye developed stage fright and rarely appeared live after the death of Tammi Terrell. Yet, after the enormous success of the album, he decided to do some live sets, including this one recorded in Oakland. It seems that a frantic crowd reception removed that stage fright, as the performance was so good that it earned him another Grammy and was a commercial success.
Tom Waits – Nighthawks at the Diner (1975)
Okay, this was one of those live in-the-studio sessions (or a set of sessions), a controlled setting if you will, but Waits already had an impeccable live experience behind him, and the invited audience did its job as it should have, giving that club vibe in which Tom felt like a fish in water, giving a great performance.
Keith Jarrett - Koln Concert (1975)
Whenever playing solo piano concerts, Jarrett always improvised, never repeating a single note from concert to concert. He brought everything to them, combining his immense musical knowledge, whether it was jazz, classical music, or even elements of pop. This is the most renowned (and possibly inspired) of them, itself inspiring all the good (and bad) things that came with New Age music.
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band – ‘Live’ Bullet (1976)
If you want to put your finger (and ears) precisely on the sound that could be labeled classic rock, and how it should sound live, then this would be it. With so many live shows behind them, Seger and the band had no problem igniting the live sparks here, with the album only gaining traction later.
Wings – Wings over America (1976)
Most official live albums went as far as a double set at the time, but the bootlegs cropping up like mushrooms didn’t observe that concept. The bootlegs came out as a triple set since McCartney and the band gave some incredible performances at their then American tour. To beat them, McCartney decided to make the exception and make the official set a triple one too, and was surely right to do so.
Parliament – Live: P-Funk Earth Tour (1977)
George Clinton’s take on soul, R&B, and psych rock took many forms, and very often, the Parliament version included all of the above and more. This double live set with the Parliament at its musical height brings it all together, with the incredible live performance visuals left to the listeners' imagination.
Little Feat - Waiting For Columbus (1977)
Little Feat already had a set of incredible studio albums behind them that didn’t register much with the audiences then. Yet they were considered one of the most remarkable bands live (they still are), and this originally double set (recently expanded) shows that this was no hype.
The Ramones – It’s Alive (1979)
There is not enough speed or excitement from the guys who epitomized prime punk. Well, try this one for size, with band covering songs from their first three ( and best) albums live and in complete form. Yet, they seem to have always been in full form.
Cheap Trick – Cheap Trick At Budokan (1979)
Cheap Trick became the epitome of power pop, and this live album (another first) made their career and the name of power pop in general. These days, it is considered an absolute classic among live albums.