Live versions you prefer to studio versions.

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by lobo, Aug 23, 2005.

  1. lobo

    lobo Music has always been a matter of Energy to me... Thread Starter

    Location:
    Germany
    Hi all,

    recently I stated here that in general I don't like live albums. As to every rule there's an exception, I indeed do prefer the live versions of some songs to the studio versions.

    For example:
    The Beatles "Money" (the Swedish Radio Show live version beats the studio version by far)
    also I do prefer all The Band songs from the Last Waltz Concert to the studio versions. I didn't know the studio versions before and was really disappointed.

    Which songs do you prefer in their live incarnation?
     
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  2. crimsoncing

    crimsoncing New Member

    Location:
    virginia beach
    A LOT of King Crimson song starting around the time of 4th lp on were better live. Check out a lot of the Klub releases and USA. Just stunning.
     
  3. RickH

    RickH Connoisseur of deep album cuts

    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    The Frampton Comes Alive versions.
     
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  4. reechie

    reechie Senior Member

    Location:
    Baltimore
    Anything from McCartney & Wings Venus And Mars sounds better on Wings Over America.
     
  5. theoxrox

    theoxrox Forum Resident

    Location:
    central Wisconsin
    Barry Manilow's "Daybreak" from his live album kicks the butt of the studio version all over the block!
     
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  6. John Carsell

    John Carsell Forum Resident

    Location:
    Northwest Illinois
    McCartney's "Coming Up" live to me is a hundred times better than the studio version.
     
  7. Emilio

    Emilio Senior Member

    ANY live version of David Bowie's "Heroes" is better than the studio version. Check the one on "Stage". "Rock and Roll Suicide" on "David Live" is also better in my opinion. "What in The World" and "Breaking Glass" on "Stage". And all songs from "Heathen" sound much better live, especially "Sunday", which includes a great guitar solo not on the studio version.

    Kiss - "Shock Me" on "Alive II" (an Ace Frehley song).
    Emerson, Lake and Palmer - any live version of "Tigers in a Spotlight" is better than the studio version. Same for "Watching Over You".
    Pink Floyd - the live version of "Comfortably Numb" on "The Delicate Sound of Thunder".
    Billy Joel - "Goodbye to Hollywood" from "Songs in the Attic"
    Queen - "One Vision" from Wembley. "Tie Your Mother Down", "Get Down, Make Love" and "We Will Rock You" (especially the fast version) from "Live Killers". "Action This Day" and "Staying Power" from "Queen on Fire: Live at the Bowl"
    Simon and Garfunkel - "Cecilia" from "Old Friends Live on Stage". "Late in the Evening" (originally a Paul Simon solo song) and "April Come She Will" from "Live in Central Park".

    I could probably remember a few more. Some live versions breathe new life into overlooked songs.
     
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  8. mfp

    mfp Senior Member

    Location:
    Paris, France
    "Caravan", "Into the mystic", "Warm Love" and "Domino" by Van Morrison on It's too late to stop now.
     
  9. reverber

    reverber Senior Member

    Location:
    Lawrence KS, USA
    Not exactly live....
    But IMHO, the versions of songs done for a Peel Session almost always beat the "studio" versions. IIRC, the Peel Sessions were usually done on an eight track with few overdubs and few takes. The Only Ones Peel Sessions are so much better than their studio output that even members of the band prefer the Peel performances.

    Cody
     
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  10. Dave G.

    Dave G. Forum Resident

    Location:
    NJ
    I think the version of "No Woman No Cry" from Bob Marley & the Wailers Live is the definitive version.
     
  11. Stateless

    Stateless New Member

    Location:
    USA
    U2's "Bad" on WIDE AWAKE IN AMERICA. Also "Sunday Bloody Sunday" on UNDER A BLOOD RED SKY.
     
  12. Stateless

    Stateless New Member

    Location:
    USA
    Not even close to the studio version without Waters vocal IMO. ;) I really dislike the vocalists that sub for his part on that version.
     
  13. JoelDF

    JoelDF Senior Member

    Location:
    Prairieville, LA
    I prefer Heart's live version of "Mistral Wind" from the '80 "Greatest Hits/Live" album over the "Dog and Butterfly" version. The studio version is good too... I just like the live version better.
     
  14. Ski Bum

    Ski Bum Happy Audiophile

    Location:
    Vail, CO
    Little Feat - Willin' IMO, better live on Waiting for Columbus
     
  15. Claus

    Claus Senior Member

    Location:
    Germany
    Kill the King - Rainbow (On Stage)
    Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple (Made in Japan)
    All Status Quo studio recordings - live 77
     
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  16. windfall

    windfall Senior Member

    Location:
    UK
    Tom Petty, "The Insider", from the Pack up the Plantation live album, knocks the studio version sideways.

    Stevie
     
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  17. Jeffrey

    Jeffrey Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    South Texas
    Hi,

    Almost anything that The Grateful Dead ever released. :laugh:

    Take care,
    Jeffrey
     
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  18. Jimbo

    Jimbo Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Zero/Zero Island
    Speaking of Little Feat, the live version of "Dixie Chicken" beats the shorter studio take hands down.

    As discussed in another current thread, the live "Sweet Jane" from Rock n' Roll Animal rules!

    P.S. One more (slightly obscure): "Have You Seen the Saucers" from JA's 30 Seconds Over Winterland.
     
  19. Jeff52

    Jeff52 Forum Resident

    The Rickie Lee Jones Naked Songs album is excellent. For the most part, just Rickie Lee and a guitar or piano and very well recorded.
     
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  20. lobo

    lobo Music has always been a matter of Energy to me... Thread Starter

    Location:
    Germany
    Some forgotten (by me) gems: No woman no cry, Smoke on the water, Sunday bloody sunday... and Grateful Dead.
     
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  21. LarryDavenport

    LarryDavenport New Member

    Location:
    Seattle, WA, USA
    Humble Pie Performance versions over the studio ones.
     
  22. BradOlson

    BradOlson Country/Christian Music Maven

    Amy Grant's "Too Late" on "In Concert Vol. 2" over the studio version on "Never Alone."
     
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  23. The first one that came to my mind was the Rolling Stones live (from Get Yer Ya Ya's Out) version of Midnight Rambler.
     
  24. Andrew T.

    Andrew T. Out of the Vein

    Location:
    ....
    I feel that "Abacab" by Genesis got the definitive treatment on Three Sides Live.
     
  25. MikeP5877

    MikeP5877 V/VIII/MCMLXXVII

    Location:
    OH
    Some that haven't been mentioned yet:

    Elvis - "Trying To Get To You" from the 68 Comeback special

    The Kinks "Celluloid Heroes"

    The Band - "It Makes No Difference" from The Last Waltz, and "Stage Fright" from Rock of Ages

    Bob Dylan - "I Don't Believe You" "It's All Over Now Baby Blue" and "One Too Many Mornings" from Live 1966

    Velvet Underground almost all of 1969 Live

    Neil Diamond - Sides 1 and 4 of Hot August Night, plus "Kentucky Woman" from Gold

    Van Morrison - Most of Live At the Grand Opera House, Belfast

    Marianne Faithful - Most of Blazing Away

    The 'OO - most of The Kids Are Alright

    Richard Thompson "You Can't Win" from Watching The Dark
     
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