The Relix 40: Essential Live Improv Albums

Dean Budnick on June 28, 2013

To mark Relix’s 40th year, we are running a series of Relix 40 lists that cover a variety of topics (You can click here to view the complete collection). This time we feature a collection of improv-laden live albums that we hope you’ll seek out. For the purposes of this list, we’ve decided to exclude box sets and download-only recordings.

Wes Montgomery and the Wynton Kelly Trio, Smokin’ at the Half Note (1965)

The jazz guitar innovator pairs up with some recent Miles Davis alums at New York City’s Half Note.

Grateful Dead, Live/Dead (1969)

A classic – if you own this definitive album, then we urge you to also check out Fillmore West 1969: The Complete Recordings, a 10-disc box set that collects the four shows where this recording originated.

The Allman Brothers Band, At Fillmore East (1971)

Duane Allman and the original ABB are at their absolute peak.

Fela Kuti & The Africa ‘70 with Ginger Baker, Live! (1971)

An early document from the Afrobeat pioneer, this recording boasts 14 top-notch players including Cream drummer Baker, who heats up with the group.

Miles Davis, Live-Evil (1971)

This is a fitting title as Miles goes electric at the Cellar Door in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 19, 1970.

Grant Green, Live at the Lighthouse (1972)

Here’s an influential recording from a souljazz trailblazer.

Deep Purple, Made In Japan (1973)

If your tastes run heavy, then here’s a winner from Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice.

Mahavishnu Orchestra, Between Nothingness and Eternity (1973)

This provides three excursions from John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, Rick Laird and Billy Cobham in Central Park on Aug. 17-18, 1973.

Keith Jarrett, The Köln Concert (1975)

It’s sixty-six minutes of solo piano improvisation in Germany.

Frank Zappa, Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar (1981)

This is the first of three albums in a collection of Zappa’s favorite improvised guitar solos taken from live performances throughout the preceding decade.

Derek & The Dominos, Live at the Fillmore (1994)

A stirring document from Clapton and company during the group’s abbreviated career, it spans two nights at the Fillmore East on Oct. 23-24, 1970.

Phish, A Live One (1995)

These two discs from the fall of 1994 include an extended, exploratory “Tweezer.” (See Live Phish Vol. 18 for May 7, 1994’s second set “TweezerFest.” )

Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, Live Art (1996)

These tracks originate from 1992-96 and include guest spots from Branford Marsalis, Chick Corea, Bruce Hornsby and Sam Bush.

Gov’t Mule, Live…With a Little Help from Our Friends (1999)

It chronicles New Year’s Eve 1998 at the Roxy in Atlanta with fellow revelers Jimmy Herring, Derek Trucks, Bernie Worrell, Chuck Leavell and Randall Bramblett.

Jimi Hendrix, Live at the Fillmore East (1999)

These recordings from Dec. 31, 1969 and Jan. 1, 1970 expand on the material from Band of Gypsys.

The New Deal, This Is Live (1999)

This 1998 show at Toronto’s Comfort Zone is not only the group’s debut, but also entirely improvised.

moe., L (2000)

Named Best Live Album at the inaugural Jammy Awards, L is a highlight reel from the band’s 1999 fall tour.

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985 (2001)

A tale of two trips to Switzerland – first as unknowns, playing to boos, then, as headliners, receiving ovations.

Phish, Live Phish Vol. 11 (2001)

This is Phish at their groove-funk apogee on Nov. 17, 1997 in Denver. The addition of the 28-minute “Wolfman’s Brother” from two nights later is an exhilarating bonus.

Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Live at the Wetlands (2002)

Randolph comes into his own on his debut recorded at the fabled club a month before it closes.

Steve Kimock Band, East Meets West (2002)

Rodney Holmes, Mitch Stein, Alphonso Johnson and Richard Hammond join Kimock at Japan’s Bay Hall and in the Bay Area in 2001.

Widespread Panic, Live in the Classic City (2002)

Derek Trucks, Bruce Hampton, John Keane and R.E.M.‘s Bill Berry are among Panic’s many guests in Athens, Ga., on April 1-3, 2000.

The Disco Biscuits, TranceFusionRadio Broadcast 02 (2002)

The original quartet at home in Philadelphia during their 2001 New Year’s run. They complete “Helicopters” on TranceFusionRadio Broadcast 03.

Led Zeppelin, How the West Was Won (2003)

Zeppelin unleash the hammer during two Southern California shows in June 1972.

Trey Anastasio, Plasma (2003)

Highlights from Trey’s 2002 tours with his brassy 10-piece. (For Phish with horns, check out the Mike Gordon-selected Live Phish 19 from July 12, 1991.)

Jerry Garcia Band, After Midnight: Kean College, 2/28/80 (2004)

Keyboardist Ozzie Ahlers offers a rousing counterpoint to Garcia during this gig from his brief tenure with the band.

Derek Trucks Band, Live at Georgia Theatre (2004)

The group puts forth an inspired blend of songcraft, cover selections and improvisation from this 2003 gig.

Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders Band, Keystone Berkeley, September 1, 1974 (2004)

Shortly before adopting the name Legion of Mary, the collective deliver a stellar show with Paul Humphrey behind the kit instead of Ron Tutt, who would soon replace him.

Keller Williams, Stage (2004)

A segue-heavy compilation from Williams’ 2003 solo dates, this 2-CD set features one disc drawn from West Coast shows and one from East Coast shows.

Grateful Dead, Dick’s Picks, Vol. 36 (2005)

Both the original Europe ‘72 and its recent box set counterpart are essential listens, but don’t sleep on this one from 9/21/72 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, the final installment in the Dick’s Picks series.

John Coltrane, Live at the Half Note: One Down, One Up (2005)

Two four-song discs capture Coltrane in New York City during the spring of 1965 with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones.The Slip, Live At Lupo’s (2005)

This is a riveting performance by the hometown trio in Providence, R.I., on June 12, 2004.

Umphrey’s McGee, Live at the Murat (2007)

This was the Live Album of the Year winner at the final Jammys. (For more Umphrey’s improv from this era, seek out Jimmy Stewart 2007)

Toubab Krewe, Live at the Orange Peel (2009)

West Africa meets Asheville, N.C. in late December 2007.

Soulive, Live at Blue Note Tokyo (2010)

The material in this animated set from Japan spans the group’s career.

The String Cheese Incident, Rhythm of the Road, Vol. 1: Incident in Atlanta, 11.17.00 (2010)

A frisky, fun night with SCI at The Tabernacle with special guest Tony Furtado.

Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, MSMW Live: In Case the World Changes Its Mind (2011)

The quartet is captured in 2006, with the songs from A Go Go and Out Louder just serving as the starting point for what follows.

Miles Davis Quintet LIVE in Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1 (2011)