Van Morrison It’s Too Late To Stop Now 1973

It’s Too Late To Stop Now is the first live album by Van Morrison.

It was recorded in 1973 and it catches him paying his dues to his influences.

It collects the best of the tracks from concerts at The Troubadour in Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and at The Rainbow in London between May and July 1973.

It’s difficult to categorise an album like this – is it rock, soul or blues? It even has a jazzy feel to it.

This amalgamation of styles is what makes Van Morrison such a special artist and he had a golden period in the late 1960s and early 1970s when he made some of the greatest music ever recorded. Astral Weeks, Moondance and St Dominic’s Preview are amongst my most favourite studio albums and I believe that each is essential.

Which is the best? Well that keeps on changing depending on my mood but St Dominic’s Preview fits neatly between the others in style.

In 2008, a bonus track was added – a live version of Brown Eyed Girl.

Van Morrison It’s Too Late to Stop Now 1973

Van Morrison It's Too Late to Stop Now 1973

My Rating – 28/30

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Jess Roden Live At The BBC 1976

Live At The BBC is a live album of the Jess Roden Band live in concert in December 1976 from The Hippodrome, London with four extra live in the studio recordings from 1975. These were broadcast on the John Peel show and that’s where I first heard Jess Roden.

In fact it might be the only place I’ve heard this great singer on the radio.

I was thrilled when I found this album was released on CD in 1996 and I think it could be the best live album ever.

A bold statement but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve played this CD. It’s a perfect mix of rock, soul, blues and funk. I adore it.

I used to have a previous live album by Jess Roden called Blowin’ which I loved as an LP.

Jess Roden Live At The BBC

Jess Roden Live At The BBC

My Rating – 29/30

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James Brown Live At The Apollo 1962

The original James Brown album, Live At The Apollo is one of the most famous and often regarded as one of the best live albums ever. It was recorded in 1962 and released in 1963.

It’s very, very good but I don’t think it quite lives up to its outstanding reputation.

Let me explain why.

James Brown Live At The Apollo 1962 Overall Rating 27/30

James Brown Live At The Apollo 1962

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