After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the first disc covering the world of live music.  One of the best things about the confluence of music and the internet in the early 21st century was the availability of bootleg live performances that, at one time, would have been available only to serious collectors or the lucky few to attend the concerts.  In fact, there was so much of it that this was the only collection to go beyond 2 discs.  So, without further ado,  I bring you Live Music, volume 1.

Tesla – Signs

Tesla’s biggest hit was this acoustic cover of the Five Man Electrical Band hit from 1971.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 5/4/2011

Juliana Hatfield – Say It Ain’t So

This bootleg track has the indie darling covering the hit from Weezer’s debut album.

iTunes stats: Never played

Pearl Jam – My Way

This quirky cover of the Frank Sinatra standard came from a concert in (where else) Las Vegas.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 9/6/2011

Veruca Salt – Seether

A live version of Veruca Salt’s biggest hit.

iTunes stats: Never played

Travis – Baby One More Time

The Scottish band, who I likely would have never heard from otherwise, covered the Britney Spears hit during a concert at The Bay Tavern in Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire, England.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 11/27/2012

Def Leppard – Two Steps Behind

From a foreign version of their greatest hits package, recorded live in Sheffield on June 6, 1993.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 5/1/2011

K’s Choice – Not An Addict

Recorded live at the 2001 Rock am Ring festival at the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany.

iTunes stats: Never played

Garbage – When I Grow Up

I’m assuming the live version on this disc is from the 2005 show at Metro that I attended.  The only reason I’m not sure is that I have so many Garbage bootlegs, it’s hard to be sure.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 1/6/2011

Stone Temple Pilots – Dancing Days

An acoustic version of their Led Zepplin cover, which I think may be from the Howard Stern show.

iTunes stats: Never played

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