Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 50 Greatest Live Albums of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of genres, styles and time periods. Click “Next Album” below to explore each album or view the full album index here.

THE TRAGICALLY HIP | Live Between Us
MCA (1997)
Selected by Libby Cudmore

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Good luck listening to “Ahead By a Century” without weeping. The real tragedy, of course, is that we lost frontman Gord Downie too soon, but this album, recorded in 1996 to support Trouble in the Henhouse, is some of the Hip’s best material, including “Grace Too,” “Gift Shop” and “New Orleans is Sinking.”

But more than just live versions, the album captures Downie’s majestic on-stage poetry and impromptu covers, such as David Bowie’s “China Girl” during “New Orleans is Sinking.” Maybe one day, we’ll get a full recording of the Man Machine Poem tour, including their last concert in Toronto, to continue honoring his beautiful legacy. No dress rehearsal…this is our lives.

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