While other David Bowie’s live albums may have been recorded earlier, David Live was the first one released. The disc was recorded during 1974’s Diamond Dogs tour at a stop in Pennsylvania. Having left behind the Ziggy Stardust personae the year before, Bowie adds horns to the mix including the work of David Sanborn (RIP) and piano player Mike Garson that play a heavy role in the songs performed for the album. This adds a bit of a jazzy flavour to tracks like “Changes” and “Aladdin Sane”.
The band really let loose on “Moonage Dream” including a sizzling guitar solo from Earl Slick and Tony Norman going for it on the drums. The background vocals on the Eddie Floyd cover “Knock on Wood” truly make it sound like an arena rock show from the 70s. At times, Bowie’s voice strains a bit to get into range but the enthusiasm of tracks like Diamond Dogs’ single “Rebel Rebel” and “Cracked Actor” plus the impassioned performance of “Rock n Roll Suicide” make it easier to overlook.
Several singles up to that point are left off the performance such as “Space Oddity”, “Starman” and “Live on Mars”. In truth, he had so many songs to choose from even at this point that they are not hugely missed. In all, David Live captures Bowie between Ziggy and the Young Americans phase that was just a year away.
7/10
The Light Appears 
I don’t tend to listen to live albums much, for some unknown reason, but have two copies of this collection as I’d bought one, then bought a collection of records from my brother when he jumped ship to classical-only. Must revisit it. Great version of “Moonage Daydream.”