Favorite live LPs

The elusive combination of exceptional recording technique and artistic presentation coming together briefly...

We all have records that just "do it" for us - be it jazz, classical, vocal, rock, whatever... for instance:

I came across the recently re-re-(re?) released Proprius classic "Jazz at the Pawnshop" on 180g virgin vinyl (PROP 7778-79). I had recently upgraded my cart to a Shelter 501 and I had been enjoying what I thought were some really good sounds as it was breaking in.

I have enjoyed the CD of this legendary performance from Arne Domnerus, Lars Ersstrand & Co. from 1976 for many years, but nothing prepared me for the utter completeness of the illusion that was presented in my not-so-perfect listening space last night and in particular to a piece of music that I thought I knew rather well. The realism (and difference) of what I heard last night was breathtaking. In particular, the presentation of Lars Erstrand's vibraphone. I mean, the instrument practically appeared in front of us in three dimensional space. If you aren't already familiar with this recording, I strongly suggest you find a copy while you're young, and enjoy it for the rest of your natural life. If you can't find one, come over to my house and I'll play it for you. No you can't have mine.

Another is Harry Belafonte's Live at Carnegie Hall (LSO-6006). The flute solo that accompanies Belafonte's voice on Man Smart, Woman Smarter for instance. You not only have a sense of the distance between the flute and Belafonte, you have this palpable sense of the entire dimension of the stage. There is a Classic records re-issue of this on heavy gauge vinyl and even a very limited-edition single-sided 45 LP version (on 8 discs!) that we mortals can only dream about. I have a pedestrian copy of the original 1959 issue but it delivers the goods in spades. I don't care if you're not a Belafonte fan, one listen to "Mama, Look-A-Boo-Boo" or "Danny-Boy" and I guarantee you'll be off to the record store Saturday morning to find a copy of this.

So what pearls have you got in your collection that the rest of us should track down and hear first hand?