We all love "double live" albums and there are a small handful (10-12) that are the greats. This one is the best. I am so confident of that pronouncement that I would bet it is in your all-time top five DLA's. It was produced by bandleader Lowell George. Most great records are most commonly produced by record producers who are not in the band. I remember working at the pool one summer (1979) when I heard sadly on 'XRT (Chicago's Finest Rock) that he passed away. But why is this the best DLA ever?: because One, it rocks, B. the liner notes say "tight is right," (they dutifully adhere to that mantra), D. it captures a uniquely American roots jam band at their zenith, the lastly - the quality of live recording master tapes (many times if bad, a deal-breaker) is note and tonal quality as perfect as you'd want/expect in a DLA. Oh, and the Tower of Power horns "joined the band." By 1978, LF had completed a string of tremendous studio records: Little Feat, Sailin' Shoes, Dixie Chicken, Feats Don't Fail me Now, and Times Loves a Hero. They parlayed that buildup into wonderful jam tunes that mostly ended up on WFC. Each of the four sides has 3, 4, or 5 great songs and each side is a great listen.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Waiting for Columbus: Best Double Live Album of All Time
We all love "double live" albums and there are a small handful (10-12) that are the greats. This one is the best. I am so confident of that pronouncement that I would bet it is in your all-time top five DLA's. It was produced by bandleader Lowell George. Most great records are most commonly produced by record producers who are not in the band. I remember working at the pool one summer (1979) when I heard sadly on 'XRT (Chicago's Finest Rock) that he passed away. But why is this the best DLA ever?: because One, it rocks, B. the liner notes say "tight is right," (they dutifully adhere to that mantra), D. it captures a uniquely American roots jam band at their zenith, the lastly - the quality of live recording master tapes (many times if bad, a deal-breaker) is note and tonal quality as perfect as you'd want/expect in a DLA. Oh, and the Tower of Power horns "joined the band." By 1978, LF had completed a string of tremendous studio records: Little Feat, Sailin' Shoes, Dixie Chicken, Feats Don't Fail me Now, and Times Loves a Hero. They parlayed that buildup into wonderful jam tunes that mostly ended up on WFC. Each of the four sides has 3, 4, or 5 great songs and each side is a great listen.
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