...that sound better live than they do on their records.

There are two that I can think of: J. Geils and Blue Oyster Cult.

Anyone else?

I know of a local band that in concert sounds the same as their cd (Atomship)

does that count?

Billy Joel is as good in concert as on disc too

I don't think "as good" really applies.

There are just some groups whose music is better when they play live. I HATED J. Geils' albums. They sounded almost anemic. But live, these guys sounded fantastic.

Another one that struck me was watching some old Blue Oyster Cult videos where they were live playing Godzilla. The guitars were WAY more aggressive, and they group overall had a better, edgier sound.

When Kansas was in their prime, they sounded almost EXACTLY like their albums, which I thought was an accomplishment.

But other groups like Led Zepplin, because of the many overdubs they did on their songs, were a bit of a letdown musically when they preformed. Jimmy Page didn't have the same sound, and while they were good performers, the music was not as good as the album.

Ergo, this thread.

Pearl Jam was incredible to see live. As good or better than the album. I think it had to do with the fan interaction. Hearing them play "Alive" with thousands of fans singing and rocking out was "goosebump worthy"

Haven't been in 6-8 years so I dont know about now, but I loved seeing them live.

The all time best sounds better live, than in studio,

THE GRATEFUL DEAD

There is no comparison.

There are many bands that sound better live, but The DEAD was the best.

Honorable mentions.

Widespread Panic

Phish

The String Cheese Incident

Leftover Salmon

The Allman Brothers

The David Nelson Band

Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)

Dave

mykal rose - former lead vocal for black uhuru

Jeff Beck - Take away the overdubs and mechanics of his studio recordings and replace it with the raw talent the man is capable of - awesome!

Also - Stevie Ray Vaughn was great live.

Michael Burks

Coco Montoya

Buddy Guy

anyone who uses Double Trouble as their backing band - those two are so tight it's unbelievable, you don't realize this until you see them live.

The Blasters original lineup of Phil, Dave, John and Bill + Lee and then later Gene. The intermediate incarnations without Dave and now without Dave, Bill and Gene, are not worth the cost of the ticket.

Ray Charles

Oingo Boingo (esp. their Halloween shows)

Beat Farmers (you had to be there though, doesn't come through on video)

Roger Waters

Jimmy Thackery

Roy Rodgers

Sonny Landeth

John Hiatt & The Goners (The Goners have been long since disbanded)

King Crimson (it's all about Fripp)

Bella Fleck and the Flecktones

Chris Issak & Silvertone

Tom Jones

Agree on Peter Wolf and J.Geils Band. As for BOC, when I saw them, they were awful, just awful.

I'm sure I'll think of a few more later.

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5. Author: Homebrew Date: 09/09/2010 12:13 AM Reply

The all time best sounds better live, than in studio,

THE GRATEFUL DEAD

There is no comparison.

There are many bands that sound better live, but The DEAD was the best.

Honorable mentions.

Widespread Panic

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Yup. How the hell did I forget those two...

Aerosmith! those geezers sure can rock

Lyle Lovett and his Large Band.

The Pretenders are pretty damn good live, too.

Chris Issak & Silvertone - AWESOME call!!!

KISS

Fishbone

Cake

The Cars

Cheap Trick

David Bowie/Tin Machine

Black Sabbath - Dio Era

Peter Frampton

The Eagles

Any of the above mentioned "jam bands" definitely sound better live. They don't even begin to shine until they break free of the studio scripted 3 or 4 minute song. I'd like to also add Blues Traveler and [sometimes] Black Crowes.

Hall & Oates

^ #5

+1

The Dead were a great live show but Widespread Panic is just wanking off on stage. They are musically great but their songs just suck.

Chris Issak and Silvertone is just fr--king awesome.....

Leon Russell sounds as good in person as he does on CD, but then nobody ever accused him of being a great singer.

Steve Miller band is another one that sounds great in concert....if you can catch him at one of the small venue/theather concerts you will be stunned at how great he is....

Charlie

I really have to say that Allman Brother's tops my list. I don't like ANY of their studio output, but Live at Filmore East, Live at Beacon, those are two GREAT albums.

Other bands that top my list are David Ryan Harris, Derek Trucks Band, John Mayer, and Esperanza Spalding....

The Moody Blues