Ten amazingly brilliant 1970s live albums

Another two fine examples of first live albums 

Jethro Tull - Bursting Out

This is a neat way to catch up on Jethro Tull. Released in 1978 Bursting Out captures their live performances and presents a fine selection of their music at that point. Although, well known hit “Living In The Past” doesn’t feature, but was included in a later extended reissue. 

Jethro Tull has always been a unique band with their distinctive sound. They mixed prog rock, folk, blues, and jazz successfully incorporating many different instruments and, of course, Ian Anderson’s flute. It's all here on this, their first live album.

They give fine performances of many great songs from several albums over the years. It’s very live-sounding, capturing the personality of the band as well as great music. And if you thought Jethro Tull was just all about the flute and a whimsical song or two - go play “Thick As A Brick” from this album to hear the heavy end of their remarkable range.  

Blue Oyster Cult - On Your Feet Or On Your Knees

Here’s another example of a great band playing live at an earlier point in their career, before some bigger hits, but still sounding amazing. This is the first of several live albums from Blue Oyster Cult. Released in 1975 it drew from their first three studio albums for its 12 songs.

If you like guitar based rock with a very real live sound from the 1970s, this is an album for you. It delivers all that and more well with terrific versions of the band's top songs at that time. Sure their classic “Don’t Feel The Reaper” was still some way off being written but top tracks like “Red And The Black” or a quieter moment with “Then Came the Last Days of May” show what the band was capable of. 

Like other live albums mentioned here, it’s one that elevated the performance of songs from their studio albums.  That helped show what they are like as a band on stage, exceptionally good. The album deservedly drew more attention to Blue Oyster Cult. 

Continued on next slide