Words by Lloyd Langford.

After a year largely spent turning down zoom gigs, being terrible at Among Us and standing to attention and saluting during every single Dan Andrews press conference, I'm finally able to leave the house. Live comedy is back and I'm excited to be performing to actual people again. It got me thinking about my favourite ever live albums. Please note, none of these are comedy albums. Generally speaking, comedy is best enjoyed in the moment and does not age particularly well. It's like those bags of shredded cheese. Consume it quickly then forget all about it. If you don't believe me, go back and have a listen to your old Bill Hicks CDs. Anyway, here are some live albums I adore.

James Brown: Love, Power, Peace: Live at The Olympia, Paris, 1971.

I believe as the young people say at the moment "this absolutely fucking slaps". It's James Brown, backed by the tightest band of all time, absolutely frying the noggins of a completely unprepared French. I found this at Real Groovy in Auckland for $5 and was convinced it was a mirage. Bobby Byrd. Catfish Collins. Bootsy Collins. Fred Wesley. The guitar on Ain't It Funky Now still makes my jaw drop. And then you watch the video and realise all the band are dancing whilst playing. Astonishing.

Townes Van Zandt: Live At The Old Quarter, Houston, Texas

This is an incredibly intimate performance replete with jokes, stories and a gruff admonishment from the bar owner at the very top of the show. You're put in the room with one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time. Doing a mixture of his own stuff and some well-chosen covers. I think it's his finest album. Get it in your ear holes.

Thelonious Monk: Misterioso.

The first jazz album I ever bought. And what a doozy. It's a Thelonious Monk set but saxophonist Johnny Griffin does his damndest to steal it right out from under him. The song "In Walked Bud" is about tortured genius jazzman Bud Powell and how Thelonious felt when Powell entered a room. I'm still not entirely sure what Monk does with a piano but I love it.

Etta James: Rocks The House

Yes, she bloody well does. The amount of groaning on this it should've been slapped with a parental advisory sticker. Etta James showcasing her incredible pipes to an audience that is driven absolutely spare. You can hear them shouting throughout. Covering Jimmy Reed, she mimics his harmonica. A standout moment in a fantastic album.

Donny Hathaway - Live

I was in Title in Surry Hills once with a friend and the owner started evangelically trying to sell him this album. Shouting about how great it was from behind the counter. My friend didn't bite, but I did. And I have to say, it's transcendent. Donny Hathaway with an absolutely stellar supporting lineup. He covers John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" and absolutely owns it. It's a Donny Hathaway song now. And anyone who hears this version will agree with me.

Catch Lloyd and Anne Edmonds at Sydney Opera House for their 'Business with Pleasure' show from February 11 through to February 20. Full details and tix below. You can also catch a bunch of other hilarious comedians at Sydney Opera House this month. More details HERE.

Lloyd Langford & Anne Edmonds

Thu 11 - Sat 20 Feb 2021 @ Sydney Opera House, NSW