John Mellencamp Performs Trouble No More Live at Town Hall 2003

John Mellencamp Performs Trouble No More Live at Town Hall is a live album by John Mellencamp.

This was recorded at the Town Hall in New York City on July 31, 2003. This live album was released in July 2014.

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Van Morrison at the Winterland Feb 2, 1974

Van Morrison at the Winterland Feb 2, 1974 isn’t a live album but a live recording you can hear through Wolfgang’s Vault of Van Morrison performing in San Francisco in 1974.

At the moment you can only listen rather than download. I hope Van Morrison gives permission for the rights to be extended because this is a lovely performance.

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Van Morrison A Night in San Francisco 1993

A Night In San Francisco is a live album by Irish singer songwriter Van Morrison which was recorded at concerts in California in December 1993.

I’ve said it before but the world (and especially me) needs for Van Morrison live albums.

Van Morrison A Night in San Francisco

Night in San Francisco

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Joni Mitchell Shadows And Light 1979

Shadows And Light is a live album by Joni Mitchell recorded at the Santa Barbara County Bowl in September 1979 on the Mingus tour.

Her previous live album, Miles Of Aisles emphasises her traditional singer songwriter background, this album finds her singing in front of a jazz band and adding a jazz twist to her old sings.

Joni Mitchell Shadows And Light

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Ian McNabb Live At Life 1999

Live at Life is the first live album by singer songwriter Ian McNabb. It was recorded in his home city at the Life Cafe in Liverpool in 1999.

Ian McNabb came to my attention in 1984 when he released the studio album Head Like a Rock with Crazy Horse, the backing band of Neil Young when he wants to rock. I thought it was excellent and expected to hear much more of this singer.

But he fell back into relative obscurity.

Ian McNabb Live At Life

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Joni Mitchell Miles Of Aisles 1974

I have a weakness for Joni Mitchell.

She’s part of my Sunday morning playlist when I want something mellow to listen to.

It’s therefore no surprise that I like Joni Mitchell’s live albums, Miles of Aisles & Shadow & Light and both were recorded in the greatest decade for music, the 70s.

Joni Mitchell Miles Of Aisles

This album comes from the Court & Spark album in March and August 1974 and captures her at her commercial peak.

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Van Morrison Live At The Grand Opera House Belfast 1983

Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast is the second live album from Van Morrison recorded in 1983 with songs from his last four albums and especially Beautiful Vision.

This makes it a great compliment to the classic It’s Too Late To Stop Now like me who haven’t followed his late 1970s career that closely but like the songs they hear on the radio.

Van Morrison Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast

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Van Morrison Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl 2008

Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl is the controversial reworking of the classic album Astral Weeks in concert in November 2008 by Van Morrison.

Morrison took a big risk.

How do you improve perfection?

Astral Weeks is a magical record that lives up to Van’s promise…

“We are goin’ to heaven. In another time. In another place.” He sings and he delivers.

So why mess with it?

He told Rolling Stone contributing editor, David Wild…

“It received no promotion, from Warner Bros.—that’s why I never got to play the songs live. I had always wanted to play the record live and fully orchestrated—that is what this is all about. I always like live recording and I like listening to live records too. I’m not too fond of being in a studio—it’s too contrived and too confining. I like the freedom of live, in-the-moment sound.”

OK. I can see his point and I totally agree with his point about live albums versus those recorded in the studio.

But what do you want from Astral Weeks played live?

A note for note impersonation of the studio album… even though Van Morrison is forty years older and more experienced?

Or do you want him to play with the Astral Weeks songs so that you can hear different sounds, interpretations and inflexions?

You need to answer that question before buying Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl.

If you want the studio album… stick to the studio album. You won’t like Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl.

Van Morrison Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl – Overall Rating 28/30

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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

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