Reviews (page 6 of 13)
very average
It’s one of those must haves on vinyl. It’s fun to look at all the different inlays. Oh yeah… the music is good too
It was boring
Takes awhile to get going, but once it does… The Who have always been a band I respect more than I love, but are rock gods there to only be respected? And this album fits that mold exactly. I respect it I guess.
I get Keith Moon’s contributions to binge drinking and smashing things, but godamn his drumming is annoying. Blap blap blap didida didida didida pow pow pow. Basically non-stop fills for an hour like a hyperactive toddler. Pop pop pop blam blam ba-blam boom. Also only the extended version was available to stream, and this somewhat confusingly puts the objectively worse extra stuff at the start of the album. This batshit move raised my rating from 1 to 2.
The best Who live album.
I don't like live albums and this was two whole hours long... I didn't even like the style that much...
It's The Who, but it ain't Who's Next. Also could only find Deluxe version which was a bit long and had some chaff
Enjoyable listen, not sure if I'll really be revisiting live albums but it captured the live energy well
Nie lubię, gdy są tu płyty z występów na żywo. Lubie oceniać płytę jako spójny koncept, a trudno to robić w takim wypadku. Mimo to, jest kilka momentów, które mi się podobają, ale znowuż - to są stare utwory, nic nowego! 6/10
Not live, please.
I usually prefer the sound quality of studio albums over live ones, but this does highlight that 1970's Who must have been quite awesome to see! I've never been a Who fan, and unfortunately nothing here won me over 2/5
Bello OK, gli who mi sanno sempre un sacco di CSI. Ma perché un album live?
one of the top classic rock bands, but I don't listen to albums for solos idk
I really hate live albums, and I’m ambivalent about The Who, but this was pretty decent. Recorded really beautifully for the time, and a couple songs I’d never heard before surprised me. Would listen again, maybe.
I enjoyed it, but it did not motivate me to listen to more of The Who. ★★★
This rocked.
The only Who album that doesn't bore me to tears.
Hard to know how to rate this album. I owned the original on vinyl and that version is horrible. The sound quality was atrocious, and it was 37 minutes long. That version deserves 1-star. The Deluxe version(s) significantly clean up the sound which better showcases the musicianship of Moon and Entwistle. They also include a few additional songs to get the album to a reasonable length (although I'd remove the complete performance of Tommy from any that include it).
It was OK but I'm not a fan of live albums even if I saw The Who live in 82.
The Who had some good stuff, but it didn't fee like this album really hit those notes. This did feel like it was more of a forced live album than a serendipitous live album. Meh.
Just ok...definitely not their best work.
Wasn't looking forward to listening to this but it was better than I expected. I stuck to the original 6 track LP but also listened to some of the expanded version.
One of the best live albums ever. I listened to the original album with 37 minutes, not a single second is wasted on it. It's The Who at their best in the best era of rock.
In my personal top 5 live albums ever.
Väldigt bra! Tror ärligt talat kortare versionen är bättre än expanded edition, men älskar hur rått hela albumet är och att de behöll mellansnacket. Så bra
Somehow better than all their studio albums I've heard. The performances are less boring, the guitar and drum solos are pretty flashy and overall just more energy. Feels less like dad rock and more like youngsters kicking some ass.
Very rock n roll. I dont have much experience w the who. Except who are you. Radek was rocking to it which was adorbs
Toxic masculinity is very unflattering.
I didn’t know Magic Bus was one of their bigger songs
My expectations are fuckass The album is less fuckass than I thought
kinda neat idk
Always happy to listen to The Who.
good album but i hate these live ones
Good Songs: I Can’t Explain, Fortune Teller, Young Man Blues, Substitute, Happy Jack, A Quick One While He’s Away, Overture, 1921, Amazing Journey, Sparks, Christmas, The Acid Queen, Pinball Wizard, Fiddle About, Go To The Mirror!, Smash The Mirror, Sally Simpson, I’m Free, Tommy’s Holiday Camp, We’re Not Gonna Take It, Summertime Blues, Shakin’ All Over, My Generation, Magic Bus Mid Songs: Heaven and Hell, Tattoo, I’m A Boy, It’s A Boy, Eyesight To The Blind, Do You Think It’s Alright?, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, There’s A Doctor, Miracle Cure, Bad Songs:
Maybe it’s just me but I don’t think a live album is a good way to hear songs for the first time. I just didn’t connect with this.
Rocky, too long as live recordings felt I had to skip some
i don’t want to listen to this whole thing. i got through about half. it’s SILLY. these are not serious people. it combines the worst parts of 70s rock music and the worst parts of musical theatre into a single maelstrom of drudgery.
Their sound was much harder and more metal-adjacent than I remembered? Maybe I just never heard it because I'd never heard this live album or a live performance. I guess I see in that sense how they're influential on future music movements and they've very talented instrumentalists. However I enjoyed it even less than I thought I would (which is saying something).
loved it
Great album very unique connection between band and audience. Guitar playing is understated but bombastic at the same time. Came away with the feeling I’ve underrated him as a guitarist a lot. He’s doing so much but playing so little at points it jarring.
I listened to the deluxe version of the album, which I think is the entire concert and is about 3 times longer than the original version. It was fine, solid Who until they got to the Tommy section. Then they just opened up and were amazing. Knocking off a star just because I don’t think the original album included the parts I found amazing here!
Holy Guitar!
I have always preferred The Who to the Stones. I feel like their music was just more interesting than that of the Rolling Stones. This live album, is wonderful. Great music with a great stage energy. Great stuff.
classic jams by a classic band.
Live albums are a difficult thing because how do you capture the actual show? How do you capture the energy of the performance? How much do you include the crowd? How much editing or processing do you do? I feel that the answer to these questions is on a case-by-case basis. Live At Leeds is considered one of the best live albums ever released and it's not difficult to hear why. This record is a lot like a bootleg, which I think is so much of its charm. It features the in-between chatter, a minimally featured but present crowd cheering after each song, and you can really hear how fucking good The Who is. They’re one of the best rock bands to have ever existed. They were the punk rockers of the British Invasion. Even their most ambitious works, like Tommy and Quadrophenia, realized that every song has a purpose and needs to be its own thing. I hadn’t heard this album before but I was struck by how well it captures the energy of the show while still sounding fantastic. It’s raw and emotive, but you can hear everything. The original track listing showcases how rock and roll the band is, opting for classics like “Summertime Blues”, “My Generation” with an extended jam featuring a medley of excepts from various songs from Tommy, and “Magic Bus”. The anniversary editions add great songs like “Heaven and Hell”, “I Can’t Explain”, Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Eyesight to the Blind”, and rock opera masterpiece Tommy.
Man i keep giving The Who a try and i get nothing from them. Couple cool riffs here and there, rhythm section is rad but the vocals and lyrics just don't connect with me. 2 stars!
I went to Leeds Uni and attended gigs in the refectory. I remember hearing about this album back then and thinking it was amazing race that our little uni was forever remembered as part of the history of a band as big as The Who. But did I listen to it? Nope. I never did until now. And I wish I had heard it earlier. Loved it. Only complaint? Too short!
Fine album, but why live?
(1.5) wasn’t a huge fan
solid 3.5
classic great live album
I really liked this one. This is a classic rock’n’roll album at its best. I’m not sure that the vocals were my favorite, but everything else is about as good as it gets.
8/10
The more I listen to The Who, the more I realize how bad they are.
classic
Strong, but I just never really clicked with The Who. I see what they did for rock music, and I tried to like it, but it just never really worked for me.
This is the greatest live Rock 'n Roll album ever!! This set the standard for what live albums should be like.
Who write good songs but some of these are tedious. The 15 minute medleys are tough to endure but Shake It All Over was brilliant.
solid, live albums always go harder
Live albums are not a great introduction point for people not familiar with a band
Excellent live album.
(Listened to Expanded Edition.) Some groovy sections, but … not great as a whole. Would probably mainly listen to the [presumably] expanded bits at the end of the live album in the future.
Good fun. Great live album. Lots of commentary which is always nice. Good live renditions of good songs
Let me preface this with the fact that I am a huge Who fan. Have been for 50 years. With that being said, this is one of the best live albums ever recorded. Period. The live version of My Generation stands apart from all live recordings of any song ever. The sheer power of the band is felt through every note. I like the original version. The deluxe edition is pretty cool but there really aren't additional songs that hold up to the original pressing.
Not my favorite The Who era.
Decent
Oh cool, another shitty live recording of music that's probably actually not bad but unbearable to listen to like this.
It’s fine, it’s a live Who album. Though I will say, I’ve been listening to a lot of these songs for almost 50 years and it’s something else entirely to take a moment and think about the idea that this wasn’t ’classic rock’ in 1970! This was contemporary, current music and pretty wild stuff, so impressive in that sense.
Banger
Definitely one of the slightly better live albums I've heard, it actually feels like this concert was genuinely really good worthy of being made into its own album.
The Who was a great live band, and this is an example of that. (I could listen to Keith Moon play all day.) I have trouble grading live albums on the same scale as studio albums, however. They're totally different creatures. So, I think it's gonna be 2's and 3's for me for live albums from here on. 3 if I enjoyed listening to it, 2 if it felt like a chore.
Blergh. This didn't change my mind about The Who. I 10,000% did not need to hear this. Switched to High on Fire halfway through to clear the dust and cobwebs that this album was leaving behind.
I’ve had the vinyl of this album for years and there are six songs on it. It’s fine, but includes some of the more self-indulgent numbers including Young Man Blues and 15 mins of My Generation. I was surprised and delighted at the 14 songs on the expanded version including some on my Who favorites like Tattoo, Happy Jack and a Quick One. There’s a good mix here of pretty things and raw aggression. Btw, if you’ve never seen A Quick One from The Rolling Stones Rock n Roll circus, it’s worth your time. It’s also live and you can see what this looked like live. As I understand it, the footage was supposed to be turned into a BBC special, but the Who blew The Rolling Stones off the stage and they changed course. https://youtu.be/RJv2-_--EY4?si=Ie-MA3FelDjmHV02
I know this one very, very well. Definitive versions of Young Man Blues and Summertime Blues. And while I'd have voted for tighter arrangements of Magic Bus and My Generation, I still love it.
3.5/5 - You need to hear this because a big part of The Who's legend (for better or worse) is based on their live performances. I love this era of The Who and the setlist is great, but I'm just not a fan of live albums. Still, there's worse ways to spend my time than listening to a set of really familiar songs backed by Moon's constantly crashing cymbals.
The greatest live album of all time. Putting all the mod/invasion shite behind them, The Who help invent hard rock. Shoutout to Townshend for playing off his own echo from the back of the theatre on My Generation and Magic Bus. If anyone you know doesn’t like the Who, play them this and they change their mind (100% success rate). 5/5 JF
Listened to the original. Very good concert. Kinda wished there was some more popular who songs played
3.5
Normally, I am not really a fan of live albums, but this guitar sound is just perfection
I'm starting to get the feeling this is going to be hard work. I'm sure this is great for people who like this kind of rock, I'm really not keen unfortunately. There's great songs on there but I find it tedious and tiring.
What a good time. Being a live gig, there's an added dimension of personality here that takes the music - already vibrant and characterful - to another, more intimate level. Any questions I might have had as to the point of this live album was eradicated by A Quick One While He's Away - it's a stunning rendition that could only work in this format. I'm glad the people of Leeds were able to catch a glimpse of culture if only for one evening and pray they were able to take a piece of it home with them.
This is the album that totally sold me on the Who. It’s always been an album of two halves for me. The opening set through to I’m a Boy sets the mood. High energy, excellent playing, top notch crowd work - not too much to suggest Daltry and Townshend are egomaniacal, but enough to let the audience into their world. The band had such a cool dynamic, and it really comes through in the live show. But then the second half. Holy hell. Hearing A Quick One for the first time totally dispelled my preconceptions about The Who being another garden variety 60’s British Invasion rock act. The mini opera is ridiculous, but I love the commitment to the bit, and everything until the raucous Magic Bus is pure perfection. This is The Who at their absolute performing peak. The story behind why they chose this particular Leeds show for their live record just shows how special an act they were at this particular time in music history. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Standout Songs: I Can't Explain Tattoo Young Man Blues Happy Jack Amazing Journey / Sparks Summertime Blues My Generation Great live album. Also my second Who album in a row. I do think they sound better live honestly
Made me understand why people rate The Who as musicians and live performers, something that never really came across in their other albums. The songs aren't my favourites but the energy is good.
loved the vibes but not my type of music
meh, I honestly think the only live album I ever really liked was Cheap Trick's Live at Buddakan
Struggled to get through this. Self-indulgent and meandering. Sounds more like a Led Zep knockoff in places. Often veers into what sounds like the three of them soloing without really listening to what each other is doing. Odd choice of material, too. Not sure why it enjoys the reputation it does.
Great live album. Needs big speakers to sound right. I feel like this performance was very punk and had never connected that before.
A potbury of thr best songs of The Who. Excellent performed live on stage.
great all around album, The Who remains a classic group
There are a couple of "new", deluxe editions of this album... with extra songs... all of which are great... but i'll just keep my review to the original six songs on the original record... the original album opened up with a FANTASTIC cover... Mose Allison's "Young Man Blues"... how fantastic is this version? well... Mr. Allison... HIMSELF... called this the COMMAND PERFORMANCE of his song... Pete Townshend playing some amazing guitar... the OX, John Entwistle jamming on bass... and the inimitable Keith Moon pounding the drums in the way only he could... Roger Daltrey singing, shouting, and giving it his all... what a way to open a record! "Substitute" comes next... contrasting the bombastic opener with a "pop" song... that ROCKS... listen to Moon's drums on it... amazing... "Summertime Blues" comes next... and it is the DEFINITIVE version of the song... Townshend, one of the greatest songwriters in rock history, but, The Who were a BAND... and these covers prove it... The Who no longer even play this one live because without Entwistle, it wouldn't have the same effect... yet another cover "Shakin' All Over"... which is a bad ass rendition... you are now through side one and only heard one original... "Substitute"... side two... was just two songs... both originals... a 15 minute version of "My Generation"... why don't you all... F*** OFF, er... Fade away... lol... they were punk before anyone knew the term musically, lol... the song goes into a "Tommy" medley... Townshend and the band letting out all the stops... and the album closed, originally, with a nearly 8 minute version of "Magic Bus"... just when you thought it couldn't get any better... after "My Generation"... you are treated to one of the coolest songs, ever, in my opinion... a song that... every day... i'd get in the cue... to get on the bus.... that takes me to YOU... too much!!!!! FIVE STARS... only because i'm not allowed to give it TEN... this album is right up there with "Get Yer Ya Ya's Out" by The Stones, as one of the greatest live albums in Rock history"
Listened to the original record and not the expanded version as i want the authentic listening experience. Another 70s rock album that sounds like every other 70s rock album. Nothing discerns this from any other album. Yes, Pete Townsend is an excellent guitarist and you can hear it in here but its that wanky rock style i just dont like. Substitute was good. My generation was about 12 minutes too long. It was ok to listen to, but nothing amazing. And i agree live albums should not be on here. 3 stars
front to back, this album is great. one of my favorite live albums of all time. one of the best live bands of all time recorded in their prime. keith moon is frenetic, townshend soars, daltrey wails, and entwistle glues it all together. there may not really be any hits on here (if you're listening to the original track listing) but it is packed wall to wall with attitude and, boy, do i love it.
meh
The Who. 4.5
the genre is tolerable, i didn't enjoy this though. It's fine as background music
The drumming is the star here. It engulfs everything in a thunderstorm of cymbal crashes and void-filling fills. That and the lyrics to the track Tattoo "Rooty-doot-toot tattoo". Aside from that I'm not the biggest fan of The Who but they definitely come alive in these live recordings - it's like this is how they are meant to be heard. Substitute is a banger, but some of the songs (Happy Jack/I'm a boy) are awful.
One of the best live album of all time.
3.5
I gave a listen to the original LP version on YouTube this morning as not only a refresher but just to hear it and it's original intent. I do prefer the longer version only because it feels more like a full show even though it's still missing the Tommy segment of the lead show. (That also was subsequently released on the Leeds box set). But it's still hard to deny the energy of the set I'm actually still not going to give it a full but I will up at to a 9.8 this listen. I quite honestly needed the energy burst this morning 9.8 ★★★★½ (five on the app)
Great live album, but I am not that high on The Who in general, but this is some of their best work. 4 stars
4.5/5
Going with 4 stars for *Live at Leeds*. The first half is especially strong with their "Young Man Blues" and "Summertime Blues" covers and a rousing version of "Substitute".
The most lively, classic and rockingest of all live classic rock albums. Whether it’s the punchy single LP version or the Deluxe Edition with most of Tommy on it, it’s all very very fine. Not much to make this a better live gig unless they did a costume change and pretended to be a different band called What’s On and then later on a third band called I Don’t Know.
Solid live album.
A killer set from the kings of Maximum R&B. The only fault is when it meanders at the end through “My Generation” turning into an extended exploration of “Tommy” and possibly “Lifehouse” songs, but the “Magic Bus” jam redeems it all with the sheer force of the band. This is a band at the height of its powers, just after they become massive stars and just before they cemented their legacy as rock gods. Stick around on the 40th anniversary mix for the “Tommy” set and have a good time.
So unforgettable. I can appreciate and sorta understand the appeal for this music but I had such higher hopes. I felt like most the time they were just taking the piss and fucking around. Corny asf lyrics and just doing unfunny voices that just came across annoying. It wasn’t completely terrible tbh the instrumentals were insane I do appreciate and respect this time period for that. Also why did he start talking about a “funny” story about a pedofile😭. The Who has disappointed me with Shakin All Over and even that was still like 7/10. Damn I didn’t want to dislike it but I have to give it a 4.4/10 2.2/5
Awesome
The Who. Music that last a lifetime. A great album including a lot of their best songs.
abbastanza ripetitivo
First I always like live performance albums more than studio ones. The energy and musical improvisations draw me in. Second it's the Who!
There’s a ‘you had to be there’ element that is difficult to overcome as first time listener in this our year of the lord 2025. It feels soaked in nostalgia for a benighted period in which a bunch of white British guys could pretend to be Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry and be taken seriously. As a modern listener, it’s just corny and almost a caricature of its influences. A poor copy. That being said, Pete Townsend’s guitar work here is nice to listen to and Keith Moon’s drumming is just a perfect harmony to the vibe. Vocals and melodies are mid, friends.
it’s a no for me
Hard to listen to without being influenced by years of copyists. I'm sure it was a great live concert experience. However I don't have time for this now.
I really don't understand why this album has a great reputation. Perhaps the best thing to be said about it is that it was once vital, urgent, energetic bands performing great songs in such an overblown, bloated fashion that created the platform that generated punk rock. Ironically, the best two tracks on the album are also the best examples of this. Two of the band's early hits - I Can't Explain and Substitute - are plodding and leaden compared to their original versions. As for some of the abysmal covers... this is not what rock n roll is meant to sound like. (Please, please, please listen to the version of Fortune Teller by Tony Jackson and the Vibrations if you want to hear the song done properly). As for the guitar wank on the My Generation Medley... that's 15 minutes of my life I'm never getting back! This album is what happens when a band lose their initial spark, but need to keep playing to pay for the more expensive drugs they're now into.
Started off being impressed with the live musicianship here, from all members of the band. However, I soon tired of Keith's incessant, manic banging of the drums - calm down Keith, calm down! Didn't appreciate the 'comedy' about the girl guide. Won't listen again.
In 1963, while shooting 'A Hard Days Night', Ringo famously quipped that he was a 'Mocker' when asked to align himself with one of the subcultural tribes of the day. Had the Who been presented with the same question in 1965, there would have been no possibility of straddling the divide. Poster boys for the Mod movement of the early 60s, this proud working-mans style is typified by the cover of their debut album. 'My Generation' was the anthem for an era defined by polished Vespas, sharp Italian three-button suits, heavy parkas and 'faces' framed by carefully manicured haircuts. Merely five years later, unkempt shags falling over unbuttoned, baggy shirts, the Who took to the stage at Leeds University to capture their transformation into their former nemeses - rockers. Stretched over 80 minutes of over-indulgent posturing, this attempted statement of intent collapses in a mire of pointless solos and confused messaging. Hidden amongst the rock slop, earlier classics were treated with disdain, squashed into an unloved medley - blues and rock'n'roll covers were preferred to many fan favourites. Attempts to apply the themes of working-class British life from their previous era to this new 'heavy' sound jar significantly. Daltrey often seems to be operating at odds to the rest of the group, while his input - at worst - is borderline paedophilic. And what of 'My Generation'? Once so sharp and cutting - it's heavier moments controlled for maximum impact - at Leeds the track was dragged through a tortuous fifteen minute slog. The goalposts now having been moved: lyrics designed for a modern, upwardly mobile clique, when applied to the unwashed masses simply don't make sense anymore. Ringo sought to pacify - behaviour befitting a Beatle. The Who sell out - they did at least warn us. Mod lived on, transformed, adapted, shorn of their former poster boys. Who?
Low 2 Best song: the ones from the first album Most of this is hard rock at its most generic im afraid. We dont need a drum fill every bar keith. Bonus points for how lovely and polite the boys seem in between songs
3 out of 5. It was good but it's another live album, another subset that could be reduced to give way to other albums that don't potentially have doubles of songs found elsewhere on this list.
Kind of repetitive, live music isn't really my thing
Muy bueno
Great performance. Good songs and energy. Know the band but they have new depth for me here.
Продовжуючи тему улюблених концертних альбомів - цей входить в мій персональний топ-10. Young man blues!
Моя проблема с этим лайвом в том, что я никогда не был большим ценителем группы Зе Ху. Хороший альбом. Лучшая песня - My Generation.
The vest live album!
One of the best live performing bands of all time. Great songs on the album, and plenty of energy throughout. Love the live version of Fortune Teller
Stop with the live albums jfc
Nothing of any specific critique other than I think The Who are overrated and I don’t like them.
Joda, rocker bra dette.
Boring and mostly just Who stuff that appears in other albums on this list. Waste of a space and I didn't want to listen to the whole thing so I'm giving it the consensus score.
The who had some iconic songs, but does a live album deserve to be here? Very few live albums (see: johnny cash's folsom prison) are anything outstanding. Didn't know most of the first half. 2* Highlights: happy jack
It's just The Who live.. what's so special? Doesnt even sound good... Best track - Substitute 2 stars
Decent live album, has good energy but the recording quality is lacking. I'd probably rather just listen to a studio album with the same stuff but I do appreciate the energy of the live recording
The who at their greatest. right off the success of Tommy. Pure innovation.
Who's great, and live recordings have their charm.
Not massive on The Who, not massive on live albums - outside of all-time famous live performances. So yeah
Love this album - have had it on CD for years so very familiar with the extended double album issue rather than the original shorter vinyl issue. Favourite track is the mini opera of a "quick one while he's away" - which is only on the double album.
Live music doesn't always sound good on an album. Prime example. Great memories if you were there, just a mis-aligned noise if you weren't.
Not a huge live album person, and while like some of The Who’s stuff, not a hardcore enough of a fan to get a lot of their references or commentary.
Generic rock by today's standards, lacking hits.
i don't typically care for live albums that much, but this was a good one so +1 star
A very good album, and one of the first Live Rock albums to make an impact. The Deluxe version adds volume, but the basic LP version is shorter and more impactful. Well worth a listen.
When I was a teen in the 70’s this was considered “the” live album (definitely not Frampton’s) by all the cool kids. I’m sure I’d heard it at parties or a friend’s house, but it didn’t make much of an impression. My first thought today once the album started is that this sounds like all the stuff I don’t like about late sixties and seventies hard rock, but the bass and drums kick ass. As I listened further I started to appreciate the between song banter, even laughing a few times. By the end, I caved and just enjoyed what they were giving, as the final couple of songs just kicked my ass.
3.5
adding to the live album pile on!! enough!!
Nicht so meins “Basico rock music” 5/10
absolutely not.
I mean, I liked this, but, I have an issue with live albums on here unless they're more than 50 percent originals.
I didn't love it, and I like the Who a lot. I've seen them live twice and both were better than this.
I like The Who but found this album underwhelming. These shows (two, on back-to-back nights) were set up specifically to record a live album and it totally feels like it. It's much more like they're playing live-in-studio than actually playing for an audience; almost like the crowd was instructed to sit quietly and only clap between songs. Technically, this album is a masterclass for how to mic a live band for recording - and they do sound great - but the record feels so soulless. For something that's been called 'the best live album ever recorded', I expected more. It's not "Frampton Comes Alive!" or Thin Lizzy's "Live & Dangerous", but if you're a fan of The Who and well-mannered British concert goers, this one is for you!
It's a little weird hearing the show grind to a halt for Daltrey to introduce a song. My sense of a Who concert is bombast, not a lot of dynamics, just big and loud and long. It's something of a marvel that this essential quality of a concert never really existed prior to this decade. Sure, early rock n roll, big bands, opera, jazz, orchestras, Greek oration, the Homeric tradition, humans have been watching humans perform music since before historical record, but 3 instrumentalist and 1 dude swinging a microphone, all amplified, basically doing a "lower" art form...that never happened before. Is this the best version of it? Seems that way.
Never been a fan of The Who and this didn't turn me into one. I appreciate their talent and place in music history, but just not for me.
already heard this, it's ok
A really strong live album of which I'm well familiar. Thanks for sending it!
Definitely near the top of the list of favorite live rock albums.
I only had 40 minutes this morning, so I listened to the original version. Probably a mistake, because it meant cutting most of the songs I already cared about! Anyway, their performance is really good, especially if you love distortion in your music. I've never considered them an essential band, personally, but this one is still a fun listen in the right mood.
I mean, it's a live album. Was probably really cool for folks who got to go. 3/5
Solid rock n roll
Can't get over how good they sound live. STANDOUTS: Heaven/Hell - amazing guitar and bass on this. I Can't Explain - love hearing their thick accents speaking at the end of this. Fortune Teller - fairly forgettable which is grand cos it's not theirs. Tattoo - always amazing. Reminded again how it has a similar tune to 'A Must to Avoid' in parts. Living for the jokes at the end of it. Young Man Blues - great guitar and bass again. Again love the jokes at the end. My Generation - love the playing with timings on this and his growl. Love the slight melody change at the beginning at the start of See Me/Feel Me in the Medley part.
There are some as says that this is the greatest live album of all time. Others choose Nirvana's Unplugged in New York. Still others plump for Frampton Comes Live! You're all wrong of course: the greatest live album of all time is Chas & Dave - Not Just Anuvver Beano: Live at Hammersmith from 2016. Banger after banger after banger, how can you not? So, tough luck boys, but this really is a tremendous effort. All four of the lads are on top form and the songs feel alive from start to finish. Obviously the hits stand out (I Can't Explain, Substitute and My Generation - in medley form- all sound just as good as they do on the records) but every track crackles. Top stuff. Obviously I have to deduct a point for Roger's support of Brexit...
Live albums are not my thing. I’m sure it’s one experience to be there or even watch on tv, but another completely to just listen to monologues with no visual aids.
Live at Leeds by The Who packs raw energy and power, but as someone who’s not into live recordings, I just couldn’t really connect with the songs
There really should be a zero option
This is a live album. It is a great live recording. It is, however, live recordings of existing material - primarily Tommy - which is better. This isn't required listening. Not going to listen/rate. Pitchfork: Rolling Stone: Top 500 Albums #327
hell of a live album!
Apparently there are few live albums on this list which I fully support. I don't really understand why this one is included. Maybe there are too many virtuosic parts being played simultaneously but much of this just sounds chaotic to me. I do have a soft spot for Can't Explain but it wasn't even on the original release of this album. I had Nobody's Perfect, a live album by Deep Purple, when I was younger and I think that album is way better than this one.
I just don't like The Who, and I never have.
A short album, only 6 songs, half of them covers, although the medley in the extended version of _My Generation_ contains several others. I’ve never seen the band live but this would appear to capture the energy of their live performances very well. I’ve heard it said though that live albums are “the worst of both worlds”, and this falls into that category for me. I’d at least rather watch a recording so I can see the band, as part of the performance is in the visual. Failing that, I’d rather listen to a studio album. So this is fine but I can’t imagine a scenario where I’d listen to it again.
Compared to some of the other live albums I've been served from this list, this was actually produced pretty well. Feels like a good document of The Who's hard rock sound with the energy of a live performance, though I was a bit surprised by how many of the tracks are covers. Otherwise a decent live album, not sure it quite earns its spot on the list (or indeed the claim it's one of the greatest live albums of all time)
solid classic rock album but i just didn't come into the right mood for that one.
Another live album. Still not a fan of them. Just look at My Generation to see why. The song itself is a great song. But this live version goes on way too long, with the whole medley at the end. Same with Magic Bus, just keeps dragging on. It would have been a blast to hear live, but not a recording of live music. Best song: Summertime Blues
not my fav but easy
Not too bad.
Lively! The Who kicked ass live, even with the obligatory 1979-era 15-minute tracks.
are 90% of the albums in this list just 70s hard rock because it's getting harder to differentiate them.
Álbum ao vivo divertido. TRN VX PRO+.
As expected. Poor sound quality live album
A live album that doesn't sound live. I really like The Who. When I saw "Live" I was expecting a noisy concert album, and this isn't it. "A Quick One, While He's Away" was amazing, but I would never expect that to be played on the radio. It's a wonderful little gem. The different medleys work. My Rating: 4/5
Fine. Good Who.
Truly one of the best live bands of all time - and when John Entwistle’s bass comes forward and starts driving with Keith Moon shotgun, there is nothing I like better.
Surely one of the best live albums ever, it's a great showcase for the band in their prime. Their versions of "Summertime Blues" and "Shakin All Over" are ferocious and they rip into their 60's songs with abandon. Would have liked to hear the version with all of "Tommy," but this version is plenty long enough.
I feel the same way about The Who as I do about Queen, i love the hits and maybe one album but never done a deep dive, so i didnt know a good few of these. I did do a project about Tommy being the first rock opera when I was in middle school, but the reason why really escapes me. Anyway. Always blown away by Keith Moon's percussion. I'd never thought this before, but it seems that Roger Daltry is a huge vocal inspiration for Robert Pollard, its uncanny on some songs, like Tattoo. Honestly would prefer a studio recording, some live albums really work for me but this one often doesnt. Occasionally a very entertaining listen, but i found it uneven and not very engaging, felt more like you had to be there
Usually when I listen to albums for this, I try to listen to them as they were when first released. No bonus tracks or legacy editions or whatever. However for this one I decided to just listen to the expanded edition since it was easy to find on Spotify, and it was so worth it. Live albums are really hit or miss for me, but this one was fantastic. Totally understand why it's considered one of the best live albums of all time.
I can't stand The Who. Awful
3 1/2 stars I’m not the biggest The Who fan and live albums aren’t my favorite but this was very good. I will definitely listen to it again.
I love The Who but I feel like this live show as an album falls flat. probably was great in person
Don’t like them
I like the guitar. The drums. The vocals and lyrics are not my favorite based on the first song so far. I had to skip it. I know it’s live but they just kept going. Okay I like the sound of the second one a lot. It’s giving Beatles and god I can’t put my finger on the other type of sound it is reminding me of. It reminds me of that seen of the dancing in socks and underwear from that one movie shoot I’m so bad at explaining things. I liked the second song. Nothing else so far.
Only a live album available, wasn’t my taste
Don’t love the who
I don't know why but I just don't like the who
Already reviewed
The
It was great to listen to this old time favorite live album. One of the better live albums of the era. The drumming by Moon is amazing and Daltrey's voice is in fine tune mode. Great riffs and extended plays by Townshend. The Ox holds it all together with that heavy thunderous bass playing.
There are like 50,000 different versions of this album. I listened to the 1995 release and it was really good but just too long. I think at some points (the near 20 minute version of my generation) it devolved into guitar wanking but other than that solid stuff!
ook
Maybe I didn’t have the patience for this one today. I listened to the short version which includes three covers over six songs. The live element was at times quite raw, without much crowd noise, so I didn’t feel it added very much. Ultimately it still scores ok because of the talent of the band. 3/5
Best tracks are the covered and early singles (only on the extended version)
Of course I wasn’t there, but a great live album will make you feel like you were. It connects you to the artist at that snapshot in time in a way a studio album can’t quite. They are excellent musicians. They bring the hits. And the little comic asides from the band remind you of a certain type of sense of British humour which feels lost to history.
High 3 for me today, never listened to The Who, this has whetted my appetite for a couple of full studio LPs which i’m sure we’ll get (Tommy, Quadrophenia)
Overall, quite a strong Live performance from The Who. The entire album was vibey with a lot of musicality on display on the instruments. Some standout songs personally were Young Man Blues and My Generation. As an album this will receive a 3.5/5 but will be bumped down to 3 as it didn't quite hit enough to be bumped to a 4 with others.
Listened to the original tracklist not the extended. Is this a album that needs to be listened to before you die? I don't think so. If this is considered one of the greatest live albums of all time then live albums aren't my thing. 2.5/5. Raising to a 3.
I don't understand the hate for live albums here, this is great, I can feel the bands humor, love for music, energy, and the banter from the audience, makes me feel like I'm there. Rock isn't usually my thing, but this was very fun. 8/10
I agree with the other reviewer- why are live albums on this list? Another meh from me. Again, if it was playing at a barbecue I wouldn't be writhing in my skin. But nothing is standing out or catching my interest 2.5
The original tracklist version is not even on apple music by itself. I think if I listened to that only it could've been closer to a 5. Still, this is a pretty cool live album I have to say. Not THE best ever in my opinion, but damn, they can play.
Good recording
Gran directo de una gran banda. Directos forever!
kinda meh 3/5
Fav: Magic Bus - Live Least Fav: Summertime Blues - Live
Nice
Not my favorite Who live album but Pete and Keith were top form.
5/5.
No doubt that this was the band at the height of their powers. One of the great live albums
4.5
I like a lot of the who’s stuff but this many albums and a live one is kind of crazy when so many amazing artists are excluded. This didn’t stuck out to me and I didn’t save any if the songs
There are two really bloated reissues available. They can be skipped. The original version is incredibly pleasing. Worth it for the version of Magic Bus alone.
Idk but live vocals and instruments is just how music is supposed to sound. Felt like I was at the concert myself, I love it!
one of the greatest live albums
RIP the legend the goat keith moon but homie why is this on here… 2
Min slags rock. Jeg har jo lyttet alt for lidt til det her, men det er tilpas melodisk, energisk og interessant. Det er en stor 3'er, fordi det er tidligt i rangeringen, og jeg ikke helt har styr på, hvornår noget er godt, fremragende og genialt.
Live albums blow.
As the first Who full album project I hear in this list, I ask: why? Lots of artists that did not get a spot in the list and instead we get this truncated live experience, and 4 other Who studio albums? It's a no for me.
No notes. 10/10
As far as live albums go this one isn't horrible. Music is okay - I'm familiar with The Who but wouldn't call myself a fan.
Better than Coldplay
I love The Who, but wish this live album didn't make the cut for this 1001 albums list. It features classic songs from their other albums that I am sure are on this list. They do rock hard in their live stuff but it doesn't really sound great. Don't get the rationale... Ok so it's the only live album they ever recorded, but like, I enjoy their regular albums way more. Giving this one a 3. Gonna throw on one of their actual albums and give it a review...
Kind of annoying that the original version doesn't exist on Spotify. Not that I mind 77 minutes of The Who rocking out, but I'm more curious how this sounded in its original condensed 37 minute format. In any event, I'm too lazy to manually seek, so I'm reviewing the Expanded Edition. Some solid riffing on Heaven and Hell -- not familiar with the song otherwise. Things sort of come apart a bit on I Can't Explain -- for some reason, the drums sound a bit out of alignment (slow at some times, faster at others). First time hearing Young Man Blues. Clear to see why this was the opener on their original cut. The whole band is going off here; great energy. Not usually a big fan of Tommy era Who, but Amazing Journey / Sparks jams hard through the back half and I'm here for it. Nice sprawling rendition of My Generation followed up by an equally enjoyable take on Magic Bus. Very solid live album that does a good job of capturing The Who's energy in that environment. For me this is on the 3/4 borderline. There were moments that were highly enjoyable, but I can't see myself coming back immediately.
Solid, but nothing special here. High side of 3, but I don't feel like I needed to sit through this whole thing. Some of the interludes were pretty funny and the songs were perfectly good.
Pretty great live album from the Who just absolutely rocking. Want to see how many guitars they smashed on stage during this. I like how it was not a majority of their super popular songs so it was cool to hear some new songs by them.
I believe this is our 5th The Who album. Excited to hear them live even though this came out before my favorite album we've had so far (Who's Next). Honestly a sad thing I've learned from this project is that I'm not a huge The Who fan. I'm surprised Roger Daltrey's bitchass can hear over these drums! This definitely rocks. I kinda love Daltrey (or Townshend?) going into detail about the songs. Doesn't work always but definitely interesting to get some background on these tunes. Substitute absolutely slaps. Same with My Generation. Love the Foxey Lady addition in there as well.
Buen directo, los Who siempre animan.
The original track listing for this is so confusing - like, it’s barely any actual Who songs? It’s mostly covers? But the original performance, they did a ton of Who songs! But you didn’t get those until the remastered version in 2011??? Anyways, not great. I feel like I say I love The Who, but have been mostly disappointed somehow with their albums included on this list. Are they not as good as I remember? Weird!
Muito longo
Snelle inhaal review #1: I love the who, denk wel mijn favoriete classic rock band. Ik weet niet of dit de beste introductie is voor the who tho, het zijn ietwat simpele rocknummers en hun beste materiaal kwam pas een aantal jaren hierna. Enfin, I still love it, het klinkt fucking hard en het feit dat het live is maakt het alleen maar zieker.
Ik vond dit wel een goede verrassing. Leuke nummers met aanstekelijke en memorabele gitaarstukken zoals in fortune teller, tattoo en young man blues. Of Magic bus over de helft. Dit smaakte bij mij wel naar meer.
Jam muziek
Kon dit live album eigenlijk goed waarderen! Had eerder een pleidooi gehouden over hoe je niet moet verwachten dat een live album goed valt wanneer je de artiest niet goed kent, maar voor de soort muziek paste het in dit geval prima. Scheelde ook dat de geluidskwaliteit en mix aardig was voor de tijd waaruit het afkomstig was. Zat in de auto dus kan weinig specifieke nummers opnoemen die vet waren, alleen van de jams van young man blues weet ik nog dat ze goed vielen.
Sicko drumming Raw harmonies
I like The Who but damned if I can figure out what makes this particular album a standout.
Hell yeah
They’ve never clicked for me. I was quite bored
It’s weird to me when a live album makes this kind of list. This one in particular felt like nothing super fantastic.
now THAT is how you do a live album. it’s got everything you would want in a live album… crowd commitment, a cover, and a medley that starts with one of their biggest songs. pretty damn heavy for 1970, and a nice tight 37:43. true greatness. highlights: “summertime blues” “my generation” “magic bus”
Super long album
Great live performance.
Still not a fan of live albums. But I have to admit, this is a pretty good one. Seems like The Who knew how to deliver a pretty good performance. The selection of tracks and how the tracks were changed from the album versions are pretty on point too.
There is much better stuff from the WHO.
Pretty good as far as live albums go. There is a slight creepy vibe sometimes. I agree with one of the other reviews, it is great how Keith Moon and John Entwhistle float around, and are anchored by Pete Townshend rather than the other way around.
better than most of their studio albums
All who albums are getting a 1 star for noncing.
Weird band patter and I simply don’t like their songs
Fun album. I enjoyed the guitars more than the singing. My favorite tracks were "I can't explain", "young man blues", and "summertime blues". I feel like this album is something that can be in a racing video-game. Glad to hear it for the first time.
I don’t like live albums
It’s not great is it? Substitute which is one of my favourite Who songs is rubbish and the covers are piss poor! Won’t be playing this one again anytime soon, or ever probably!
Hyvä livelevy, vaikka spotifyn expanded edition onkin täynnä turhaa tauhkaa.
Not very good
3/10
моё почтение и любовь всем кто слушают лайвы любимых групп, но для меня с нейтральными ху это мало что даёт)
One of the best LIVE albums, period The album was packaged with tour info and 'swag' It was a great find for a teenage fan. Always crank this album up. On the lp there were scratches inserted that made if feel old when new
I quite enjoyed this album, which surprised me because I’m not a massive ‘The Who’ fan. Just a solid British rock album. Live albums can be a bit average, this one is good. Not great.
The music is a bit whatever - I've never really been into The Who. Downvoted by a star because I generally dislike live albums. Controversial opinion, but I don't think any live albums should feature on this list
Found this album kinda boring, I didn't really like their style of music and i don't like live versions of song either, they are always really quiet and the crowd normally turns it for me.
Live album that isn't horrible
great live album. saved for later. really enjoyed
Good one
Well it's definitely not for me. I don't know what it is, but classic rock like this always sounds the same to me - really boring. Unfortunately I think a lot of the 1001 albums are going to be like this.
Remarkably lacking in energy for a band known for theirs.
good
I really do enjoy the live albums but I can’t say anything really popped out at me about this one
This took me several listens to get into BUT it totally grew on me. Not sure I prefer the live album but what a great show it must have been!
I enjoyed it, but I don't get why it is on the list.
I like the who as much as the next guy but this was a lot
Didn't listen all the way through. Including a live album on the list is a weird choice IMO
Mi sono buttato sull’expanded edition dell’album, e sono rimasto abbastanza sorpreso. La voce stonata di Roger Daltrey accompagna i suoi scatenati compagni che si esibiscono in canzoni ignote alle mie orecchie, molto semplici se mi è concesso dirlo. Dovrei ri-ascoltarlo per comprenderlo al meglio, ma per adesso sono soddisfatto da quello che ho sentito
Often described as one of the greatest live albums of all time. Wasn't feeling it to be honest, some obvious highlights but overall just ok
They aren't good at being British or rocking, so what's the point. From guitar, singing, lyrics and even the onstage banter, nothing about this interesting or unique.
The Who's great but I'm super picky when it comes to live albums, and this one was super rough for me. I thought Roger Daltrey sounded painfully flat and off key and it made it impossible for me to get past the first two or three songs.
Good live band aren't they, songs not so compelling on the whole though.
decent album
This does rock. The Who were strange guys with their operas and affinity for writing about 'dumb and blind kids', but you can't say they didn't back it up. I like the bass prominent in the mix, it's more present than the studio albums
The Who are the band equivalent of the 98 lb weaklings who get picked on and then they go into body building and learn Karate. Awkward, violent, prep school boys, with something to prove. Unfortunately, they’re enmeshed in the system they’re trying to rebel against— prey in the spider’s web. They’re the kind of boys who are sad and isolated and who take it out on the nearest stray cat. Which is not to say I don’t like The Who — I do. Pete Townsend & Keith Moon dominate the speakers with unmatched rhythmic intensity. They sound great. But the lyrics and song structure — awkward, striving to be the bad boys, but using the language and manners of middle class British Society. God save the queen! Once, this would have been a 4 or 5 for me, now it’s a solid 3.
I remember hearing this one for first time (the original 6 track version). I had been only familiar with the band's studio work by then, and I just couldn't believe how ferocious and powerful their live performances were. I still can't believe it. It is also noteworthy to mention that this is probably the moment when Roger Daltrey fully came into his own as a vocalist.
Unlike some of the reviews I loved that this was a live album. I actually listened to the extended version which goes for almost an hour and a half I loved the rawness of it, the wild guitar solos and revelled in the difference between the live performance and studio recordings of their hits.
Wasn’t convinced of the need to hear a live version over a studio album, but walked away pleased & understanding of why it’s acclaimed highly for what it is. Heavier than I expected from a band with mod beginnings/the Tommy sound of the time. Favorites: Young Man Blues, My Generation (Medley), & Tattoo (May 16, 1970; Rock; British/English; 14 tracks; 1hr 17 min runtime)
Great mix of songs.
Keith Moon vild nok!
Jam band shit men godt jam band shit
adri: 7'5, suena a blues rock, suena a proto hard rock y suena a the who. Está bien, pero faltan canciones de mis favoritas posteriores. Lo de alargar las canciones entre 4 y 6 minutos más, criminal. Ta bien. mar: 6, al principio bien luego pesadito la verdad
its a live album for a band im not that into (and have managed to never conciously hear up til this point). its a betterr rock act then last time, i jus hope if i get them again i dont get a live album. The track listing is in the wrong order :/. other then that its pretty good. I can picture william shatner jamming out to these, and its kinda funny, just picutring captian kirk wearing his whatever people in the 60s thought the 22nd century headphones would look like listening to the who. given that this album is only 6 tracks (on rym which is my frame of reference for what amount of tracks an album should have) i dont have much to say because i didnt have much to hear. This wouldve been a good freebie if i was like 3-4 albums behind. overall i liked it. i feel like it didn't overstay its welcome, in fact i would've welcomed it for longer, it would be better if it were 45 minutes as opposed to a measly 36.
Meh
Good but didn't wow me
I enjoyed this more than I expected. I wouldn't call their style my cup of tea, but they've got fun instrumentals and play with a great deal of restraint + precision even live. I also like the additional buzz and banter coming from it being live. (also noting that I listened to the expanded edition) Fave: Magic Bus
Cool album
Pure rockers. Not all my favorites but they would have been so fun live.
Büro, Heidenheim, Deutschland Joa, The Who halt…
some good tunes. some 'interesting' banter from the band. Get the feeling it was better there than on the record
An excellent live album.
If YT Music had the original 6 track version, I might have given it a higher rating. But instead, it was the 25th anniversary one, with double the tracks.
This just rolls forward! Great musicianship an performance