Top 5 Live Albums of 2013
2013 is headed for a close and it’s a year in which many artists took to the stage to release live albums. Blues Rock is a genre meant to be played for a live audience and these five bands were voted by the staff of Blues Rock Review as having the best live albums of the year.
5. The Steepwater Band: Live & Humble
“The Steepwater Band knows how to work the crowd at the right times and they can work a song to fit the live setting effortlessly. Being veterans to the scene works in their favor for this album.” – Alysha Rendflesh
4. Henrik Freischlader Band: Live In Concerts
“This is an excellent retrospective of two years of touring and should not be missed by anyone who wants to stay current with the music of the man that many are considering the European version of Joe Bonamassa.” – Kevin O’Rourke
3. Joanne Shaw Taylor: Songs From The Road
“Songs From The Road embodies the life and soul Taylor and band put into their music. It has the deep contrast of vibrancy and tenderness that sums up her career to date. It is a performance to be proud of.” – George Ward
2. Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo: Live Loud Harmony
“This is a band that truly deserves to be seen live just to feel the energy that they emanate. This album does a pretty good job of capturing their unique sound. If you’re able to get to one of their shows you need to pick up Live Loud Harmony; and if you can’t then you still need to pick it up just to get a taste of what you’re missing.” – Kevin O’Rourke
1. Joe Bonamassa: An Acoustic Evening At The Vienna Opera House
“While Joe Bonamassa will always be held in the highest of regards for his astute blues guitar prowess and the big sound that goes with it, this inspired and rather worldly acoustic renovation has the integrity to be on par with some of his greatest live performances. Just listen and enjoy.” – George Ward
*Editor’s Note – Live DVDs that were not also released on CD were not included in the vote for the Top 5 Live Albums list.*
Stay tuned as we unveil the Top 20 Albums of 2013 on Wednesday, December 4.
