Forgive me if this topic has been discussed before...

Does anyone know why Chris hasn't put out an album of live material lately? I would love to listen to my favorite tunes in different variations, and Chris and the guys always mix it up a bit and play some great covers and unrecorded songs as well. Chris and Silvertone are the ultimate live performers! They seem to enjoy doing it so much, that it only seems logical to do so. I wish they would considder doing that thing where the audience can purchase CD's of the live show performance immediatly after the concert. At themusic.com, they have what they call 'The Encore Series' where you can purchase high quality recorings right off the sound board from recent concerts of some popular musicians as well.

Hmmmmm... Is this only in my dreams?

Your right that would be great, I am sure its on their "to do list" but remember, its taken him over 25years (is that right?) to put out a "best of" compilation.

Kitty
XXOO

Years ago, maybe 1998ish, I traded two or three emails with Kenney. I recall asking if they had plans to do a live CD and suggested that fans would love to have a live CD. I believe he said Chris didn't have any interest in live releases or didn't like live releases. Unless his position has changed, I don't think we'll see anything anytime soon.

The only live material that I'm aware of that has been released on legitimate commercial releases are a whopping seven (7) tracks: the two tracks on MTV Unplugged compilations (Blue Hotel and Wicked Game), four tracks from the Australian Tour Edition of "Forever Blue", and a live acoustic version of "Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing" (from a single re-release of BDABBT) which I suspect may be from the MTV Unplugged show he did.

One thing I've searched for, but haven't yet found, is live in-studio performances on radio station (like KFOG) compilations. KFOG has an annual release with live in-studio performances, as do many other stations around the country, but nothing with CI so far as I can tell. I have to wonder if he doesn't give permission to use his performance or if the stations are looking at including more up and coming artists rather than established artists like CI.

Regarding concert recordings available after a show, Pearl Jam is very good about making concert recordings available for purchase online within a couple of days after a show. I caught a PJ show in May and downloaded the show (3 discs), with artwork, in FLAC format 2 days later for $15. I have to wonder, however, about the infrastructure and cost involved in maintaining such an operation - you'd think it would require extra technology and personnel as part of the road crew. For a band like Pearl Jam who can sell out a a good sized arena, there must be enough of a market to justify the cost. I question whether or not us CI fans could make such a project feasible when the venues he plays and audiences he plays to are generally much smaller. However, making the recordings available would add $$ to CI's pocket and not those of bootleggers.

It's odd the the band doesn't release a live concert CD, yet they have released a couple live concert DVDs (the first Soundstage concert, and the Xmas special concert). They have also played live on the radio many, many times over the years (Bimbo's, Chicago, Los Angelese, London, Colorado, Germany, Paris various other Eupoean cities, to name a few). Surely, they must assume that their live simulcasts are being recorded by fans (as well as bootleggers). For not wanting to put out any live music, they sure have a lot of live music out there (not that I'm complaining)!

My recollection was that Chris wasn't a big fan of live recordings, but that may have changed. I'd be curious to hear what he or Kenney have to say about the issue today. Didn't someone on the board indicate they had a friend who knows the band? Perhaps they could do us a favor and pose the question and suggest the fans are clamoring for a legitimate live release.

SO IF THEY'RE CLAMORING FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES, THEN THEY SHOULD GO TO HIS LIVE SHOWS, RIGHT?

THAT'S WHY THEY PLAY LIVE ON THE RADIO, NOT TO SELL THEIR RECORDS, TO SELL TICKETS TO THEIR LIVE PERFORMANCES WHERE THEY ALSO SELL RECORDS AND T-SHIRTS...HOPEFULLY BOBBLE-HEADS SOON.

I'm sure we'd all love to attend more shows, but it's not always practical - I mean really, who can afford the time off and travel costs to attend multiple shows outside a reasonable drive in your area? Maybe once in a blue moon (or blue hotel as the case may be...), but with careers, children, mortgages, etc. some things take a lower priorty like concerts. For me, timing always seems to be the issue - I flew cross-country for a week-long vacation the morning after his most recent show near me and the thought of two hours sleep before 9 hours of travel time with 3 children wasn't exciting so I opted for the sleep instead of the concert. The next best thing would be a live release - it's less filling but tastes great!

Thanks to everyone for their replies...


I would love to go to more concerts as well to enjoy their live performances... it's definately the way to experience the whole package--the band, the suits, the moves, the commentary, the excitement, etc.
However, there are just so many things artistically done with the music during a live show, that it would be great to re-live those moments while I'm driving in my car or doing chores around the house (it would make make them so much more fun)

If he doesn't like, or have any interest in live releases, why on earth is he recording/filming each show? (I'm sure I read that on this board somewhere, or was it in a recent interview?)

just wanted to say ---- dig the eraserhead pic

Great question - perhaps his position has changed since 1998. We can only hope we'll see/hear more live material in the future.




Thanks! I'm not much on style but there are days I'd love to walk into work with my hair looking like that.