For me, the hands-down best live album for capturing the atmosphere and emotion of the live experience (Five Years still sends shivers down my spine) is Sushi.
“Leicester De Montfort. It takes you out there and us up here. This is where we really go for it…I wage peace signs when I wage war in the discos. I`m the warrior in the ultra-violet haze.”
Marillion - La Gaza Ladra. What can I say? My first live Marillion tour. I dressed as the Jester for the SF Warfield and San Jose Cabaret shows.
Queen - Live Killers. “39” still brings a tear to my eye.
Jethro Tull - Bursting Out. Ian’s banter between songs is as entertaining as the music.
Rush - Exit Stage Left. Totally captures the 70’s Rush experience.
Yes - Yessongs. I wish I had been exposed to Yes back in the day. I didn’t get to see them until '84
Genesis - Seconds Out. Yeah, its Phil singing, but my God: Supper’s Ready sounds amaziballs.
Peter Gabriel - Plays Live. All I can say is: Tony Levin.
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention - Just Another Band From LA. Because: “Billy The Mountain”.
Marillion - Marbles Live. A masterwork album impeccably performed.
If you went to any of the Peter Gabriel shows last year you could buy a CD of that show (taken from the mixing desk) from his web site. I bought the Birmingham Show (as I was there!) and would highly recommend it to anyone who’s a PG fan.