Amazon.com 100 Greatest

Amazon.com has put together a list of their picks for the 100 greatest live albums of all time. Many wonderful jazz, pop and rock choices made the cut-but some glaring omissions marred the integrity of this experiment. For example- Where was "The Allman Brothers-Live at the Fillmore?" This is the quintessential live 'southern rock' album of all time. Also notable in its absence-Creedence Clearwater Revival-"The Concert" (a.k.a The Royal Albert Hall Concert.") "One More From the Road" by Lynyrd Skynyrd also didn't make the cut. "The Wildlife Concert" by the Doobie Brothers is perhaps the most comprehensive collection of their greatest hits with all three lead singers ever collected-performed magnificently-and it didn't make the list either.

To be sure, lots of great albums did make the list including:
Eric Clapton-"Unplugged"
Queen-"Live Killers"
Gram Parsons-"Live 1973"
Jeff Buckley-Live at Sin-e
U2-Under a Blood Red Sky
Lucinda Williams-Live at the Fillmore
Thin Lizzy-Live and Dangerous
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band-Live in New York City
B.B. King-Live at The Regal
Aretha Franklin-Live at the Fillmore
Deep Purple-Made in Japan
James Brown-Live at the Apollo
Bob Dylan-The Royal Albert Hall Concert 1966
Neil Young-Live Rust
Otis Redding-Live in Europe
Eva Cassidy-Live at Blues Alley
Bob Marley Live
Rolling Stones-Get Yer Ya Ya's Out!
Roy Orbison-A Black and White Night
The Who-Live at Leeds
Simon and Garfunkel-Live in Central Park
Jimi Hendrix-Live at Monterey Pop
Cheap Trick-Live at Budokan
Frampton Comes Alive!
Kiss Alive!
Greateful Dead-Europe '72
Led Zeppelin-"How The West Was Won."
Rush-"In Rio"
Pink Floyd-"Pulse"
Stevie Ray Vaughan-"Live at Carnegie Hall"
James Taylor-"Live"
Neil Diamond-"Hot August Night"
Aerosmith-"Live Bootleg"
J. Geils Band-"Blow Your Face Out"
Janis Joplin-"In Concert"

Review-Mark Knopfler-Get Lucky

Mark Knopfler is best known for his work as the frontman of Dire Straits. His folk infused voice, country and blues inspired guitar playing have always made Knopfler's work understated and utterly compelling. On 'Get Lucky,' Knopfler explores much of his musical roots. He seamlessly combines folk and blues with original songs and picturesque lyrical paintings that offer a uniquely British reference point. Knopfler has now been a solo artist for more years than he fronted Dire Straits. Each album since the band folded has seen Mark gradually reveal to us more of his diverse musical roots in his profoundly original songs and highly cinematic lyrical pictures. This disc may be his most compelling and complete work. That's saying alot...because past works such as "Golden Heart" and "The Ragpicker's Dream" made my top ten lists in the years they were released. If you are a fan of folk and blues music played and sung with passion and precision this may be your best bet this year.

Get Lucky-Four out of Five Stars

Updates

My blog has been allowed to languish as I have been devoting my time to overcoming some challenges at the office. I have not forgotten my commitment here and will be posting regularly again soon.