The other day, I was uploading music to my computer and among the music I added were several live albums from the 1980s. Now, as I write this, I'm in Brunswick, GA, with several friends and we were discussing Southern Gospel music in general. In our discussion, the topic of the live album came up - one in particular, "Live In Atlanta" by the Cathedrals.
Tada! Hit play, and for about an hour, we relived a fine concert. The last note had barely faded away when one of my friends asked, "Why don't groups record live albums like they once did?"
Several months ago, Duane Garren broached this subject in his Singing News column, "Where Are They Now?" Like Duane, I'd love to see a few more live albums on the market.
Granted, with the ever increasing use of soundtracks, a live recording nowadays could be barely nothing more than a CD with applause added, but I still believe there's a place for live albums. But if you go back the hey-day of the live album, what really made them "kick" was good singing and a tight, live band. Just check out live albums from the early Gold City, the Hinsons, the Goodmans and more. Even Live in Atlanta, with just the barest of instrumentation added to Roger Bennett's piano playing and Mark Trammell's bass guitar work, has a magic that a studio album can't generate.
What do you think? Are you ready for more live albums? Are you ready for a CD you can put in your car's player and risk getting a speeding ticket because you were caught up in the moment?
Let me know your thoughts. (Yes, this is headed somewhere ...)
