Live At Leeds

why the fuck are live albums on here

Distilled into 6 cuts (3 of which aren’t even their own songs) ‘Live At Leeds’ is 37 minutes of awesome unrestrained destructive bluesy hard rock power with not an ounce of fat or filler. While the expanded versions of this record released over the years are still great and give context to the rest of the Leeds gig, it’s still the concise original released version that represents the Who at their absolute best live.

After the last Who album (a 5 for me), of course I would like more. But a live album isn't something I need, especially when there are studio albums with these same songs available. I've looked ahead at albums on this list, and I was annoyed to see that for three legendary black artists--James Brown, Sam Cooke, and B.B. King--we only get one album each, and it's a live album. Not sure why, hopefully they really are worthy of classic status. But I don't think this one is, especially considering there are four studio albums from the Who on the list. That being said, this is still pretty good. Of course they're talented, the songs are great, but live albums just aren't my thing. Some lame banter on here that would be fine at a concert but I'm sitting at home. Inevitably I loved some performances, especially "My Generation," but as a whole, I could do without this. Maybe I'd have liked it more if I listened to just the 37 minute version originally released on vinyl. Favorite tracks: My Generation, Amazing Journey, Happy Jack. Album art: Charming simplicity. I would never buy this, but a blank cardboard cover is intriguing. A brown bagger. 3.5/5

Like The Who and the tracks in the album, but live albums are terrible.

Absolutely brilliant. Usually not into live albums, but The Who absolutely smashed it out of the park here. Really cohesive sound. Some of my favorites from the album included Young Man Blues, Shakin' All Over, and Heaven and Hell. I really enjoyed that you can hear during the endings and beginnings of some of the tracks. Makes you feel like you're there. I wonder if they knew they were witnessing the recording of one of the greatest live albums of all time.

If The Who were live, why did Keith Moon die?

Live albums shouldn't be in the list. That being said, this rocks straight out of the gate. Moon is all over the place on the kit, Townshend does his thing well. Vocals all seem a bit too clean, but not sure how much studio magic there was back then. Either way, it sounds really good. Can't hear the crowd except between songs, but that's kinda what I'd expect from a real live album, and there's a good bit of banter. I know a few tracks but also a lot of it was new to me. I enjoyed this way more than expected. Didn't realise I liked the Who this much lol. Only criticism is that the version I have on Spotify is too long. 1hr 17min is too much in one go if you're not obsessed with a band. 4/5.

eh not a big fan of The Who

I love The Who but not this live album

I don't really like The Who. And this recording doesn't sound great either. Maybe they were one of the best live bands ever, but that's not captured here. Live albums were such a weird fad, and seem very 70s. What's the point? Shitter sound than the studio and really doesn't capture the vibe of a gig. The "funny" story about the girl guide and the pedo train driver has not aged well

When you think of great live albums, Live At Leeds is always in the conversation. Not only did the Who release excellent studio records, they were an amazing live band. I had this on cassette back in the early 80's and it got to many listens, I wore out the tape. I thought at the time, I wish the album was longer and there must have been other songs during the set. After listening to the deluxe edition that contained the whole concert, I take back my earlier concerns. The whole show which was during the "Tommy" era, contained lots of songs from that record, which is fine, but it loses some of it's energy. I can now see why the original Live At Leeds album was edited down, it's so much more powerful and dynamic with the shorter track list and it remains (to me anyways), a landmark live album. (I would give the deluxe edition 4****)

Listening to this album makes you wish you were in the room - and it gets you close enough to smell the burning dust inside the hiwatt amplifier stacks - the sweat flying off Daltreys tambourine and feeling Moons constant kick drum thumping right in your chest - it’s definitely one of the best live albums ever released

Having trouble getting my head round this, so I’ll fling fragments out instead. Seeing The Who play Live Aid on tv was my first formative rock experience, followed by watching a long-lost vhs documentary about them. I also saw them live playing what I’ve learned was a travesty, but this pre-teen’s face was slayed. This is the only record of theirs I like a lot. Albini said something along the lines that they are unique in being a great band that put out mostly crap; this performance underlined that. I would not voluntarily listen to many, maybe most of their originals on this record, but I happily blasted the whole thing at volume today. Suspect it’s something to do with Entwhistle and his deranged, almost drunk meandering. An acquaintance once described The Who as inverting the usual rhythm/lead divide: here, the drums and bass go all over the place, while Townshend holds the songs together. The Who are a weird band. The sleazy songs aren’t pleasant, but they are interesting, a very middle-class English mode of creepiness that Townshend seemed to revel in. Keith Moon’s cymbals irritated my brain for the first song and a half until I managed to mentally dial them down. Their great songs are among the best rock ever made, and the brutal panache of the band carries the rest. How else could I bear to listen to more than a minute of rock opera?

I am not a fan of Live albums so this may be rough. I love, love The Who but I just can't get down with Live albums

I don’t really love live albums. This one was no exception. It was fine.

I have never heard any of these songs.

"Well, I went to my congressman He said, quote, 'I'd like to help you son But you're too young to vote'"

This was a really good live album. A good collection of their earlier stuff, we'll mixed, and well performed. 5/5

Live at Leeds Another band I had a period of obsession with about 15-20 years ago. I bought the deluxe edition of this on CD when it was released, and I think the CD versions with 14+ songs have become the de facto versions, rather than the original 7 track release. The deluxe version is over two hours long and includes almost the whole of Tommy, and while that’s worth a listen, the other tracks either side of that are on the standard CD release are the most essential, particularly the versions of Heaven and Hell, I Can’t Explain, Young Man Blues, Substitute and the medley strewn My Generation. And of course there are the versions of A Quick One While He’s Away and Magic Bus, which are both thrillingly, transcendently brilliant, especially that moment when Moon first comes smashing in on Magic Bus at around the 3.21 mark. In fact you probably could just listen to these two tracks and ignore the rest and you’d get the idea, and why this is always heralded as one of the best live albums of all time They do sound incredibly powerful and exciting, right at the peak of the original line-ups' live powers. Also I don’t think the audience were mic'd up, so the crowd noise is almost non-existent during the songs, so you can really hear the alchemy of their playing. Moon is relentless, I know he would have been aided by some substances and would have built up ‘match fitness’ from being on tour but it is incredible how he maintains so much energy from start to end. Entwhistle is obviously a great bassist, but you can really get a sense of their performance dynamic, as he’s somewhere between lead bassist and rhythm guitarist, while Townshend is somewhere between rhythm guitarist and lead guitarist. Townshend really is great on here, showing what an excellent, versatile and clever player he is, oscillating between different volumes and tones and anchoring the whole thing with some semblance of structure. Dan I’m sure you’ll know much more about this but from my cursory reading it seems his set up enabled him to switch between tones and sounds just using his volume knob? Sometimes on record Daltrey’s voice can be a little grating, but here he’s in his element, having to compete with the cacophony the rest of the band were making probably bought out the best in his voice, and he mixes the shouting and screaming with some more delicate tones too. As always it’s kind of tricky to rate live albums, like the Cash ones and the Jerry Lee Lewis one. The original release misses some of the best stuff, A Quick One While He’s Away most prominently, and the CD releases are pretty long, so it can feel a bit like you are being pummeled in the head by Entwhistle and Moon. Having said that, if you are going to listen to a live album, you may as well listen to this, and whichever version you listen to, the energy and visceral thrill of their live prowess is undeniable, so it would feel churlish not to give it a 5. 🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌 Playlist submission: Between Magic Bus and A Quick One, While He’s Away. I’ll go Magic Bus.

One of the best live albums. Would recommend the deluxe edition that had the whole show packed into it, but the original vinyl track list is still worth a shot

Loved this album back when I was 16 or so. Think it was the first Who cd I gave any meaningful listen to. Still fantastic. I forget how fun they were in addition to being incredible musicians. Shame Daltrey became such a miserable tit. Fav. Lyric: "Substitute you for my mum. At least I'll get my washing done".

Somehow, Live At Leeds is my favorite album by The Who. I do not say this about a lot of bands/artists (in fact, i have pretty much never said it until now) but i genuinely think that The Who's live performances are better than their studio albums if the albums i have listened to in both fields are anything to go off of. I feel that The Who is not exactly the best when it comes to producing their albums so this album not really having any production at all actually sorta helps it. The songs here all generally have a fun, raw sound which i really like and the album never got tedious due to it's short length. This is one of the better live albums i have looked at for this project. Best Song: Magic Bus Worst Song: Substitute

Always though the who is a bit overrated because although great music and musicians in my opinion (and Im a fan), I think they were a live band to see more than an album to listen to (exception of Tommy). Everytime I listen to them I am proven wrong, cause I like them more and more every year. This although short album its very powerful and heavy, you can here their live magic and the public witnessing the concert. They have to be talked in the greatest rock bands ever. Moon was a force and Pete is a bonafide genius.

a really good live album! Songs like the my generation medley and magic bus make it a fun listen. They take a little while to get warmed up, so songs like tattoo are not my favorite. Overall, I can thoroughly jam out to this record.

Exceptional live record capturing some of The Who’s best, pre-Who’s Next work, but I would be remiss if I failed to mention their performance of “A Quick One While He’s Away” from The Rolling Stones’ Rock and Roll Circus. It’s the definitive version of the song and outpaces the version found here on Live at Leeds. It very well may be the greatest live performance ever captured on film and you should check it out over on YouTube.

Capacity of University of Leeds Refectory: 2,100. Excellent intimate session with The Who in top form. 5/5 live album, 4/5 on-stage banter.

i feel bad cuz everything i read thinks of this as one of the greatest live albums ever and it is pretty cool dont get me wrong ... i just dgaf :(

Who the fuck starts an extended Album with the extra songs?

I enjoyed this much more than the last album. Live Who is much better than album Who.

ok

I like The Who, but I'm not really sure they shine as a live band.

No offense to the Who, but if I am running a best albums list, I would not include any live albums because that is duplicative. I listened to a few of my favs and they sound just as fine as the regular album. Why this is on this list makes no sense. Also that is a very bland album cover.

Klingt für mich alles ziemlich gleich. Aber nicht schlecht das ganze. Lieder mit 15min sind aber ne Frechheit. Egal von wem sie kommen. Besser als Bowie wars aber

Sounds pretty good for a live album; it's still The Who though, so the songs aren't up to much and are pretty long without much of interest happening [edit: "I Can't Explain" rocks, fair enough. Still a 2 though]

1.5

I used to like The Who, but I listen to the lyrics now and realize that the worldview idealized in their times is today's reality, and it's total degeneracy crap, so screw that.

Wasn’t feeling this. Possibly bc the last album was cheap trick live 🤷‍♂️

Not really my style, too many guitar solos

Too noisy for me

Not really my cup of tea, a bit ploddy

Couldn't finish it

Ik hou niet zo van live albums

Ik had erbij moeten zijn.

Summer Time blues and Magic bus were catchy but not into the unknowns songs. They are talented and so impressed they stayed together as a band. But it’s not my first choice (or10th) of their music style.

Hay más discos en directo en esta lista de los que habría pensado. No soy un gran fan de los discos en directo, si has ido al concierto o uno parecido es genial. Algunas veces hacen versiones o cambios interesantes pero en general no me convencen. En este caso tampoco, prefiero sus discos normales.

just couldn't get excited about it, tuned out fairly quickly

I love the Who. I hate live albums. The sound quality is awful even though this is one of the best albums.

Live At Leeds is just a 'substitute' for another album. I like The Who but I don't feel this belongs on 1001 albums when they have plenty of fantastic studio albums already on the list and with duplicate tracks no less. Needless to say, very disappointed.

Garbage

Never liked The Who, never liked live recodsings

very unremarkable

great, I’ve now listened to Who songs other than My Generation and Baba O’Riley, and can with confidence say that I still only know those two songs.

Jeg HADER rock

So müssen sich mitt-50er beim grillen fühlen, dann sagen sie: Das ist eben noch echte Musik gewesen. Sowas gibts heutzutage einfach nichtmehr! Ja warum wohl? Weil alles gleich klingt und langweilt. Natürlich fehlt auch hier nicht eine 15minuten Bullshit Live version von irgendeinem Lied, das man auf halbem weg nicht mehr erkennt. 1* würde es nie wieder hören, ich hasse rock.

I'm finding it difficult to get through this one. I don't really like the heavy electric guitar, and I find the songs really repetitive.

So many familiar songs so good

terrible album

Forgot how amazing John Entwhistle is on bass

Love it

Love!

Never heard this album before but certainly very familiar with all the songs and the who. I listened to the 6 title original album. Had to create my own playlist on Spotify. The only versions Spotify had were the extended versions. Sometimes a concise high energy lineup listens better. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/49FOLFw33KMpZqbw2UEnxD?si=HBboCYpiTKWKOLMi8Zt9qA&pi=u-w5qRuUUmSyy_ Definitely will listen again. High energy live album with fantastic drums

I’m me of the best live albums ever!

A classic for the ages, very jam band

Great album. Awesome classic live rock album. Really actually enjoyed this one. Loved My Generation. Hated Summertime Blues even though its one of my favorite songs. Terrible cover

ok, Keith, here we go again. "It's funny, isn't it? Two peak who albums back-to-back. Heard that 'Tommy' is here too, but never mind about that. the thing about it, is, that it captures the Who's high energy live so fucking perfectly. I... I just can't say how much I admire this. That's the beauty of live albums, isn't it? with al those improvisations, solos and applauses, it makes you feels like that you are there, although you aren't there. OK, hipsters, motown lovers, and indie dogs who give this album something less than a 3, i understand your point. But I just simply wonders,“why don't you all f-f-f-fade away”, as I shall give this album, another five! (This time, me and Keith had an agreement on the rating.) 5/5

Ok

Best band!

This album shows how strong of a live act The Who was.

Love this album - especially the mini opera of a "quick one while he's away".

This is rock music at its finest. I remember my roommate blasting it out of our off campus housing windows, speakers in the windows facing the street, at maximum volume. Take that, fuckers!

Noisey, messy, and pure rock and roll. A good live album should show you another side of the artist you won't get from the recordings and this one sure does. At times here the Who sound more like Black Sabbath ("Young Man Blues" seriously sounded like "Paranoid") or Led Zeppelin than their traditional selves, but they prove here why they belong on the Mt. Rushmore of British rock bands (W/ the Beatles, Stones, and Zeppelin). It’s wild to me how four guys could create such a big sound (and one is just singing!) and I can't imagine how loud and exciting this must have been in person. Though I wish the sound quality was a bit higher, this goes hard, and gives us another perspective on the birth of punk rock. Low 5 but it gets there.

One of the best live albums. The Who were insane. The drumming by Keith Moon is so good!

great live album

## Overview of *Live at Leeds* *Live at Leeds* is the first live album by the English rock band The Who, recorded during a performance at the University of Leeds Refectory on February 14, 1970, and released on May 11, 1970. The album is often hailed as one of the greatest live albums in rock history, capturing the raw energy and ferocity of The Who's live performances. It features a mix of original songs and cover tracks that showcase the band's diverse influences and musical prowess. ## Lyrics and Themes The lyrics in *Live at Leeds* reflect a range of themes that resonate with the youth culture of the late 1960s and early 1970s. - **Rebellion and Identity**: Songs like "My Generation" encapsulate the spirit of youthful defiance and the struggle for identity. The famous line "Hope I die before I get old" serves as a rallying cry for a generation rejecting societal norms. - **Social Commentary**: Tracks such as "Young Man Blues" provide a critique of adult expectations and societal pressures. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and yearning for freedom, resonating with listeners who felt similarly constrained. - **Nostalgia and Reflection**: Covers like "Summertime Blues" evoke feelings of nostalgia while addressing themes of youthful disillusionment. The song's narrative about the struggles of adolescence connects with listeners on a personal level. Overall, the lyrical content is characterized by its emotional depth, reflecting both personal and collective experiences of the era. ## Music and Production Musically, *Live at Leeds* is a powerful showcase of The Who's dynamic range and instrumental prowess. - **Instrumentation**: The album features Pete Townshend on guitar, Roger Daltrey on vocals, John Entwistle on bass, and Keith Moon on drums. Each member contributes to a sound that is both cohesive and explosive, highlighting their individual talents while maintaining a unified band identity. - **Performance Style**: The live renditions are marked by extended improvisations and energetic performances that differ significantly from studio versions. For example, "My Generation" stretches to nearly 16 minutes, incorporating various riffs and themes from other songs like "See Me, Feel Me" and "Naked Eye." This improvisational style adds an element of unpredictability that enhances the listening experience. - **Production Quality**: Recorded by sound engineer Bob Pridden, the production captures the rawness of a live performance without excessive polishing. This decision aligns with the band's ethos at the time—embracing authenticity over commercial polish. The album's sound is described as "brutally loud," reflecting the band's hard rock roots while also preserving the nuances of their performance. ## Influence *Live at Leeds* has had a profound influence on both rock music and live recording practices: - **Defining Live Albums**: The album set a benchmark for future live recordings by emphasizing authenticity and energy over studio perfection. Critics have often referred to it as one of the best live albums ever made, influencing how subsequent artists approached live recordings. - **Cultural Impact**: Released shortly after their acclaimed rock opera *Tommy*, *Live at Leeds* reaffirmed The Who's status as one of rock's leading bands. It showcased their ability to blend theatricality with raw rock energy, paving the way for future rock operas and ambitious projects within the genre. - **Legacy**: Many contemporary bands cite *Live at Leeds* as an inspiration for their own live performances. Its influence can be seen in various genres as artists strive to capture similar levels of energy and authenticity in their work. ## Pros and Cons ### Pros - **Raw Energy**: The album captures an exhilarating performance that feels alive, showcasing The Who's reputation as one of the best live bands in history. - **Musical Diversity**: A mix of original songs and covers highlights the band's versatility and influences from different musical styles. - **Innovative Structure**: Extended jams and improvisational elements create a unique listening experience that differs from conventional studio albums. - **Cultural Significance**: Reflects the spirit of rebellion prevalent during its release era, connecting deeply with its audience. ### Cons - **Limited Track Selection**: The original release contained only six tracks, which some critics argue does not fully represent The Who's extensive repertoire at the time. - **Sound Quality Variability**: While many praise its rawness, some listeners may find certain moments in sound quality lacking compared to modern recordings. - **Lengthy Improvisations**: Extended versions may not appeal to all listeners; some might prefer more concise renditions typical of studio albums. ## Conclusion *Live at Leeds* stands as a monumental achievement in rock music history. Its blend of powerful lyrics, dynamic performances, and authentic production creates an enduring legacy that continues to inspire musicians today. While it has its limitations regarding track selection and sound quality variability, its pros far outweigh any cons. This album not only showcases The Who at their peak but also encapsulates a pivotal moment in rock history where raw energy reigned supreme over polished perfection.

Great live album from a great rock and roll band.

Energetic and powerful, a special mix of genius script and fluid spontaneity

This is an excellent live album. The original album only has a few tracks, but I listened to the expanded edition, which has 14 tracks. There is also a deluxe edition which contains a full version of Tommy. Each one provides a very different experience. The original release is very short, at just 6 songs and 37 minutes, but it certainly goes hard for all of it. I personally like the 14 track version best, unless I am specifically in the mood to hear all of Tommy. This is easily one of the best live albums of all time, and it is definitely the best live Who album. It's definitely a fun listen.

Some say that this is the best live album in the history of Rock n' Roll. I can't say anything. I'm not an expert on this. But I know one thing. Few things in this world can be as exciting as the original lineup of The Who live. I heard someone say once that the members of The Who are all solo. Keith Moon is a solo drummer. John was a solo bassist. Roger was the singer. And Pete was a damn guitarist. Keith beat the drums at the speed of a Formula 1 car and with the strength of a steam locomotive. John beautifully walks his bass lines through the harmony of the song in the most free way possible. Roger sings the verses with the delicate voice of an angel and the ferocity of a lion. and Pete designs spectacular solos and riffs underneath it all! Everyone was doing their part, in very different ways, but everyone was working for the common good of music. They made Rock concerts sound like real spectacles! And there were only 4 guys...

Amazing album. In the top five live albums of all time.

Good old Classic Rock Songs - Great musicians

Fucking fantastic.

Still powerful!

I am in love. The best fuckkng band ever.

As a fan of mental films which make outrageous choices I am a certified SUCKER for all things Tommy - rest of it also good fun, though the talking bits were so quiet I could not hear them all that well- glad they were having fun though xx

Absolutely shredding intensity and energy. The album is unrelenting in raw force, yet still accessible and not overwhelming. I also have to highlight what might have been the greatest rhythm section performance I've ever heard, truly masterful drumming and bass playing. Incredible album

Live at Leeds was the Who's release that followed Tommy, their rock opera that made international stars of the band. The Who toured extensively through their career; after Tommy, the band refined their energetic performances through a prolonged world tour. Live at Leeds has been recognized as among the best live rock albums of all time. This album captures the Who as they were developing into one of the biggest bands in the world. They had been propelled into stardom through their first masterpiece(s), and their performances were potent, technical, and engaged for their storytelling - among other reasons. Townshend's lyrics and Daltrey's vocals give the band part of its distinct sound, and are among the reasons the band is one of the most influential bands in rock - and in all of modern music.

Excellent

I like Leeds

Anything Leeds related gets an extra 2 points, the Badger bonus. Also just seen a cat use a pelican crossing so I'm in a good mood.

an immaculate snapshot of the band in that sweet spot between scrappy psych band and ginormous dinosaur rock band. a perfect live album in any iteration you listen.

The Who's Live at Leeds album is like watching a band possessed by rock and roll gods, unleashing fury of energy that's both exhilarating and exhausting. Every track is a highlight, from the raw power of "Won't Get Fooled Again" to the frantic energy of "Substitute." This is a must have album.

The version on Spotify id the extended one. But for the authentic experience you can't beat the condensed 6 track original release. Side two is pure magic.

Legendary!

This is incredibly fun.

The bass tone of Thor himself! Destructive, loose and chaotic. You can feel that they have something to prove with how much they can push the envelope in terms of heaviness. The panning of John Entwhistle’s bombastic and gnarly swinging bass chugs on the left and Pete Townsends almost whimsical at times, composed yet blistering guitar riffs on the right are only somehow glued together by Keith moons chaotic, otherworldly rhythmic drive. It’s punk before punk. Great 5 stars to me

Loved this, captured Keith Moon's exceptional drumming

The greatest live rock and roll album ever!

Отличный альбом, крутая группа

how did I not comment on this. in your face guitar smashing cymbal crashing brilliance - Mike and I were raised on the Who our dad loved them - I agree with everything he said in his review. Raw power personified, reminding me of Zeppelin. Fantastic.

Best of all time…