Lists of live albums can often be contentious. Music fans and listeners have so many different tastes and opinions that it is very hard to agree on the best live music albums. Even if you cut it back to a particular decade, like the 1970s, there will be many, many variations in people’s own best-ever lists.
I’ve tried looking at ways of creating lists of the best live albums. You can base it on sales, but often the most popular or top-selling isn’t always deemed to be the best. There are other data-based ways to review and collate a list, but those bring their own flaws. Not to mention some wildcards with unexpected choices and some top albums omitted.
Maybe the real answer is just to accept the breadth of opinions and music out there and realise that there is no definitive best-ever list. Before doing that, I had one other thought. What about AI? Could the use of technology provide a better answer and get closer to a list that more people would nod and agree with?
AI lists the best 1970s live albums
I asked two popular AI apps for their list of the best live music albums from the 1970s. Both ChatGPT and Proximity responded enthusiastically. They included several albums you'd expect to see and perhaps one or two that were less obvious.
Let’s take a look at the AI results to see what was included, what was omitted, and whether the two apps agreed on their chosen albums. Firstly, just four live music albums from the 1970s made it to both lists.
At Fillmore East - The Allman Brothers Band
By no means unexpected. If you ever dare to miss this classic off a top live albums list fans will be on your back quickly to nominate it. It's a superb, hard-working, bluesy live rock set not to be missed.
Made In Japan - Deep Purple
Deep Purple made great use of emerging digital technology in Japan while on tour there. The sound quality and performances satisfy many of the more critical listeners. It also features their top lineup, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, and Ritchie Blackmore, all in excellent form.
Live At Leeds - The Who
In contrast to that Deep Purple album this from The Who has a more unofficial bootleg sound about it. The album doesn’t focus on their hit songs, but has the band at their peak live on stage. With all the noise and crackles that live intensity brings.
Frampton Comes Alive - Peter Frampton
I’d say you can’t have a list of live 1970s albums without this one. Peter Frampton’s phenomenal success with this release prompted many other bands to go live too. It's another classic and sits in many people’s collections and best-ever lists.
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