If you've spent any time digging through our stock, you'll have come across the Parachute label. The distinctive catalogue numbers — PARA001LP, PARA002LP and so on — have become a familiar sight on our shelves, and for good reason. Parachute Records has quietly built one of the most compelling catalogues of live concert recordings on vinyl, covering artists from David Bowie and Frank Zappa to Prince, Neil Young, Tom Waits, and Miles Davis.
We stock over 385 Parachute titles, making us one of the better-stocked UK sources for the label. This piece is an introduction to what Parachute does, why it matters to collectors, and some of the highlights from the catalogue.
What Is Parachute Records?
Parachute is a specialist vinyl label focused exclusively on live concert recordings. Their releases document performances that, in many cases, have never been officially released — or have only previously circulated as low-quality bootlegs. The label presses these recordings onto heavyweight vinyl, often in limited editions, with proper sleeve artwork and full catalogue numbering.
The format is typically a double LP, which gives the recordings room to breathe and allows for proper mastering at a sensible level. Many releases also appear as picture discs or coloured vinyl variants, which adds a visual dimension that makes them attractive as display pieces as well as listening records.
It's worth being clear about what Parachute releases are: these are live recordings, often sourced from audience recordings, FM broadcasts, or soundboard tapes of varying quality. They are not official label releases sanctioned by the artists or their estates. For collectors, this is part of the appeal — these are documents of performances that exist nowhere else in this format — but it's worth going in with the right expectations.
The Artists: A Who's Who of Rock History
The breadth of the Parachute catalogue is genuinely impressive. A few highlights from what we stock:
David Bowie
Bowie is one of the most extensively documented artists in the Parachute catalogue, and with good reason — his live performances across different eras were extraordinary events. Standout titles include The 1980 Floorshow (the legendary 1973 Marquee Club performance filmed for US TV), Isolar II Tour 1978 (from the Stage tour, one of his most theatrical), and the Montreal 1983 double set from the Serious Moonlight tour. Each captures a distinct chapter in one of rock's most restless careers.
Frank Zappa
Zappa was a prolific live performer and a meticulous documentarian of his own work, which makes the Parachute releases a fascinating supplement to his official catalogue. The Vancouver Workout volumes (Canada 1975), the Berlin 1978 double album, and the Dutch Courage set are among the most sought-after titles. Zappa's bands were among the tightest and most musically adventurous of any era, and these recordings capture that in full.
Prince
Prince's live performances were the stuff of legend, and official live releases were frustratingly rare during his lifetime. The Parachute titles — including Purple Reign: Live in NYC Vol. 2 and the Rock in Rio 2 purple vinyl pressing — fill a genuine gap in the documented catalogue. The coloured vinyl variants are particularly striking as objects.
Neil Young
The Acoustic Tour 1976 double LP (PARA190LP) is one of the most consistently praised titles in the Parachute range. Young's acoustic performances of this period are intimate and unguarded in a way his studio recordings rarely are, and this set captures that quality well.
Tom Waits
The Cold Beer on a Hot Night double vinyl set is a fan favourite — Waits in full storytelling mode, the between-song patter as entertaining as the songs themselves. If you're a Waits devotee, this is essential.
Further Highlights
The catalogue extends well beyond these names. We also stock Parachute titles by Bruce Springsteen (Max's Kansas City 1973), Miles Davis (Tokyo 1973), Metallica (Woodstock 1994), The Grateful Dead (Harding Theater 1971), Rush (multiple picture disc releases), Nine Inch Nails with David Bowie (Back in Anger), Pearl Jam, Beck, Joe Satriani, The Byrds, and Tom Petty, among many others.
Formats and Variants
Parachute releases typically come in three formats:
- Standard double LP — The most common format. Usually 180g or heavyweight vinyl, with a gatefold or double-pocket sleeve.
- Limited edition coloured vinyl — Many titles appear in coloured vinyl variants, often in small runs. These tend to sell through quickly and command a premium on the secondary market.
- Picture discs — A number of titles — particularly in the Rush and Pearl Jam ranges — appear as picture discs. Sonically a step down from standard pressings, but visually striking and popular with display collectors.
Collecting Parachute: What to Know
- Limited runs — Many Parachute titles are pressed in small quantities and don't get repressed. If you see a title you want, it's worth acting on it.
- Sound quality varies — As with any live recording label, the source material varies. FM broadcasts and soundboard recordings tend to sound excellent; audience recordings can be more variable. We describe the source where we know it.
- Catalogue numbers are your friend — The PARA numbering system is sequential and consistent, which makes it easy to track what you have and what you're missing. Completists will find the catalogue well-organised.
- Check our stock regularly — We add new Parachute titles regularly as they're released and as we source used copies of earlier pressings.
We stock over 385 Parachute titles across multiple genres and eras. Whether you're a dedicated Bowie collector, a Zappa obsessive, or simply someone who loves the energy of a great live recording on vinyl, there's something in the catalogue for you.
Browse our full Parachute Records stock — search parachute on our site to see everything currently available.