I don't understand why people listen to live versions of songs...

[Arcadio]

when they could listen to the album version....

Live versions are meant to be experienced "Live" in concert.

The album version is always better than the live version, except when the live version is meant to be different on purpose (i.e. unplugged).

 

[Gibson486]

you are just pissed because live versions mention the letter H.

 

[clamum]

no

 

[Platypus]

what a silly statement and obvious troll thread. yawn.

 

[Ns1]

when they could listen to the album version....

Live versions are meant to be experienced "Live" in concert.

The album version is always better than the live version, except when the live version is meant to be different on purpose (i.e. unplugged).

uh no


If the live version isn't better than the studio version, then the band sucks.

 

[Kalmah]

There are some studio albums that I didn't like until I watched live videos of the songs being performed.

 

[MJinZ]

uh no


If the live version isn't better than the studio version, then the band sucks.

Recorded live is inferior to studio recording. That's pretty much obvious. It's like taking a picture and then photo-shopping it to perfection.

Being a live performance is different.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Your premise is incorrect. Good live performances are better than the studio versions. Check out some Led Zepplin live performances and get back to us.

 

[alevasseur14]

I've been listening to Queens of the Stone Age bootlegs and live recordings almost exclusively for a couple months now. Why? You don't get the improv and solos in the album version.

Ns1 is right. If a band's live recording isn't better than the album version, they're doing it wrong.

 

[Kirby]

Are you retarded, OP?

 

[HannibalX]

when they could listen to the album version....

Live versions are meant to be experienced "Live" in concert.

The album version is always better than the live version, except when the live version is meant to be different on purpose (i.e. unplugged).

That's your opinion and a lot of people disagree.

 

[HannibalX]

Are you retarded, OP?

I tink e's proven tat.

 

[Ns1]

Recorded live is inferior to studio recording. That's pretty much obvious. It's like taking a picture and then photo-shopping it to perfection.

studio = a perfect recording of a song at a certain moment in time
live = an imperfect recording of a song that has been improved since said studio recording


Every RHCP/NIN/Tool song is better live. Every song with a competent guitarist is better live.

I once saw RHCP rip into a 25 minute version of "Give it Away" into an outro jam session. That shit was fucking NUTS.

Weezer is NOT better live. Smashing Pumpkins is NOT better live. Linkin Park is NOT better live.

 

[scott916]

It's like a beautiful woman. It's awesome if she takes the time to do her makeup JUST right, plans out the night, gets exactly the right lingerie, looks amazing, and you have sex. It's exactly what you expect, and because of that it loses a bit of its luster. It's just that much better when you nail the shit out of her on the hood of your car in some random parking garage at noon. Spontaneity, excitement, and you don't know what to expect. Such is a truly great band.

 

[Ns1]

It's like a beautiful woman. It's awesome if she takes the time to do her makeup JUST right, plans out the night, gets exactly the right lingerie, looks amazing, and you have sex. It's exactly what you expect, and because of that it loses a bit of its luster. It's just that much better when you nail the shit out of her on the hood of your car in some random parking garage at noon. Spontaneity, excitement, and you don't know what to expect. Such is a truly great band.

<3

 

[DougoMan]

I would say it is more like a beautiful woman you see in a magazine. ie it has had been airbrushed to death and looks nothing like the real thing.

This is what you find in studio albums. They correct for pitch and do all sorts of shit that make it sound *too* perfect.

I'll take a live album, any day.


You are almost always going to get a different arrangement as well since you cannot generally have as many instruments in a live setting as you can in a studio.

 

[sdifox]

live version vs studio polished version will give you an idea the degree of manipulation that went into the studio version. Most so called artists today would not survive as live performers.

 

[Miramonti]

Live performances are much more than just about acoustics. Granted they can expose sh!tty musicians that a studio can cover for, but studio music isn't spontaneous or nearly as passionate and inspired as live performances can be.

Rolling Stones top 25 live rock albums of all time

 

[Ns1]

in honor of this thread I just fired up The Downward Spiral - Live, an infinitely better version of the studio album (imho)

//edit

Pink Floyd - Saucerful of Secrets

The live version is SO EPIC compared to the studio version.

 

[WelshBloke]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM_5Y9Ps9WQ

/thread

 

[FeuerFrei]

I'm always amazed at labels touting an album as 'LIVE' as if that made it more desirable. Please ...

Why would I want crowd noise ruining my enjoyment? Or spontaneous variations that ruin a song? Plus the crappier instrumentals or missing instruments. Few bands can recreate the studio-produced sonic candy onstage. I want a carbon-copy of the album recording. Non of this live crap.

I will admit I bought Pink Floyd's P.U.L.S.E album and enjoy it. That is one exception. But it was the 1st PF album I owned and when I bought it I didn't know it was 'live' and besides I wasn't familiar with the original album versions of the songs and thus had no expectations to fulfill. I think they did a commendable job of recreating the album edition 'live.'

 

[Fritzo]

As a musician, I can't being to describe how incredibly retarded your statement is. Good bands often change the arrangements and improvise on live recordings---with fantastic results.

My favorite example of this is You Don't Love Me by the Allman Brothers (At Filmore East):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGgTJO_u01A - Pt 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJbx0OwebTM&feature=related -Pt 2

One of the most incredible jams I've ever heard, and something you won't get in a studio recording.

 

[Miramonti]

I'm always amazed at labels touting an album as 'LIVE' as if that made it more desirable. Please ...

Why would I want crowd noise ruining my enjoyment? Or spontaneous variations that ruin a song? Plus the crappier instrumentals or missing instruments. Few bands can recreate the studio-produced sonic candy onstage. I want a carbon-copy of the album recording. Non of this live crap.

I will admit I bought Pink Floyd's P.U.L.S.E album and enjoy it. That is one exception. But it was the 1st PF album I owned and when I bought it I didn't know it was 'live' and besides I wasn't familiar with the original album versions of the songs and thus had no expectations to fulfill. I think they did a commendable job of recreating the album edition 'live.'

I don't think there is any debate that many (some would say most) live albums suck. Poor acoustics, poor performances, sh!tty experience. That said, some live albums are favorites. Springsteen Live 1975-1985 3 record set iirc is a great example of why a live performance can be >*. That said, he's always been a great performer, and that album simply captured it.

 

[Ns1]

I'm always amazed at labels touting an album as 'LIVE' as if that made it more desirable. Please ...

Why would I want crowd noise ruining my enjoyment? Or spontaneous variations that ruin a song? Plus the crappier instrumentals or missing instruments. Few bands can recreate the studio-produced sonic candy onstage. I want a carbon-copy of the album recording. Non of this live crap.

If you want a carbon copy of the album recording why don't you just listen to the album? Few bands can, which is what separates the good bands from the mediocre ones

I will admit I bought Pink Floyd's P.U.L.S.E album and enjoy it. That is one exception. But it was the 1st PF album I owned and when I bought it I didn't know it was 'live' and besides I wasn't familiar with the original album versions of the songs and thus had no expectations to fulfill. I think they did a commendable job of recreating the album edition 'live.'

Pink Floyd - Live @ Pompeii is RIDICULOUS. Better than Pulse IMHO

 

[Sloper]

Simply put, the live version is always superior for any quality music. Keep listening to that polished turd coming out of the studios.