Best Non-Ryan Shows or Sessions?

[Campaigner]

OK folks... Here's the question. Apart from all the Ryan stuff we've been lucky enough to get from here (cheers again guys for the site!), what's the best non-Ryan stuff you've been able to get?

I collected heaps of Springsteen, Zep and Neil Young bootlegs before I started torrenting and there's a whole heap of treasures out there. So what are the essentials? Here's a few of mine;

Springsteen;

Sept. 19, 1978 - Passaic Theatre, New Jersey.

Radio broadcast, perfect sound, perfect performance from the band at their absolute peak. Opening the second set with an awesome 13min "Kitty's Back", extended "Backstreets" with the "Sad Eyes" interlude from that time, and the best "Not Fade Away -> She's the One" that I've heard. (Can be found on the bootlegs 'Piece De Resistance' or 'Passaic Night')

So many Neil Young to choose from, but this is my most listened to;

July 7, 1996 - Werchter Festival, Belgium.

The most mind-blowing "Like a Hurricane" you will ever hear. Crisp soundboard that actually sounds better than the 'Year of the Horse' live album that Neil released the next year. Other highlight is the four-song opener; "Hey Hey, My My", "Down By the River", "Powderfinger", "Big Time". Found on the bootleg 'Festival Crazy Horse'.

Led Zeppelin;

April 27, 1969 - Fillmore West, San Francisco.

Their live peak. None of the mid-to-late 70s pretentions. Plant's voice is top-notch and the rest of the band is on fire. Highlight is the "As Long As I Have You" medley, a song not played after 1969. Best boot to find this on is called 'Collage'.

Gimme your favourites!! I'll post more at another time - maybe some good studio stuff I have.

[locke456]

i can think of a bunch of really good phish shows i've found this year, but if i post them i'll get beaten for being a hippie. :D

[keith23]

This always comes to mind when I think best Neil Young:
Bottom Line, New York, 5/16/74. A surprise solo show featuring lots of On The Beach songs (which would be released later in the year) and some other unrealeased gems. Only one song, Helpless, was released at the time. Neil is in a great mood and tells stories.
The Archives Be Damned compilation (unreleased tunes) is amazing as well.

[FunkyAvocado]

I was revisiting one of my favorite live albums the other day after not hearing it for years and still amazed. It's most likely a comp of a tour but...

Little Feat-"Waiting for Columbus"

I believe that easily edges out over The Band's, Last Waltz.

[Campaigner]

This always comes to mind when I think best Neil Young:
Bottom Line, New York, 5/16/74. A surprise solo show featuring lots of On The Beach songs (which would be released later in the year) and some other unrealeased gems. Only one song, Helpless, was released at the time. Neil is in a great mood and tells stories.
The Archives Be Damned compilation (unreleased tunes) is amazing as well.

I love that Bottom Line gig - the stuff of legend and it's more than likely that Young himself doesn't have as good a copy of the show as we do.

Another fave of mine is the 8/27/88 show from Wantagh with the Blue Notes band. Awesome stuff even if the album was pretty shite.

[Blossom]

I can't remember -- it's all a giant blur :eek:

[keith23]

I love that Bottom Line gig - the stuff of legend and it's more than likely that Young himself doesn't have as good a copy of the show as we do.

Another fave of mine is the 8/27/88 show from Wantagh with the Blue Notes band. Awesome stuff even if the album was pretty shite.


Live Bluenotes kicks the shit out of the record, no doubt. From what I've heard, not like I was there or anything (I was 6). I really wish we would have gotten that follow-up Bluenotes record with Ordinary People, Bad News, etc. But then we might not have gotten Eldorado.
I don't know if this is the right place to share this unconfirmed info, or if anyone cares, but word on the street is that Neil's new record is done and he wants to get it out immediately. An angry, peace-driven protest record with a 100-person choir on many of the songs. No word on the backing band, but Niko Bolas (This Note's For You, Eldorado, Freedom) is rumored to have produced.
Mind you, all of this info has not been confirmed by anyone in Neil's camp (it comes from independent reports from two members of the choir), so who knows.
What's gonna slow this guy down?

[Campaigner]

Yeah, I read all the choir-album info over at the Rust List, and I'm a little bit sceptical, but then again, when Neil first said he was working on a 'musical novel' I thought the same thing, and then 'Greendale' came out.

So, I try and say to myself not to worry about what he puts out and when, just to buy it when he does!

The Niko Bolas connection isn't surprising, although he hasn't produced any Neil in a while, he was definitely a part of the sound crew on Crazy Horse's 2001 Euro tour, so he hasn't been completely out of the loop since 'Freedom' came out.

I'm just a selfish bugger though - I want The Archives!!!

[keith23]

Yeah, a week ago I would have told you I was sure the Archives were coming out soon. But now that there's the possibility of Neil having another one in the can, it could be back to the back once again.