Live versions of songs vs. studio versions?

I don't care if they are doctored in the studio or not. Actually, I prefer it that way. If they can capture that raw, live energy and then do some re-recording to remove the mistakes and whatnot, that's great. I wish Recon could have done that with their live album. I would have liked it a whole lot better.

It depends sometimes, Aerosmith "Live Bootleg" and AC/DC's 'If You Want Blood" weren't doctored and I think they are great. I guess it depends on the band, I have various Jimi Hendrix and The Doors live albums which weren't doctored simply because the key players are no longer with us, and I think they sound organic. Either way I guess it depends on how strong the songs and the performers involved are, all these bands mentioned are all strong live performers evidence by bootlleg recordings available.

Studio versions for me. I do find live albums quite enjoyable when used as a background while I am playing pool, or having some drinks, or at a party or picnic.

I'll take studio versions 99% of the time over live versions.

i love live dvds but i wouldn't tend to listen to live cds apart from blind guardian

I should have remembered this one earlier. Every song on this EP absolutely SMOKES the studio versions, blows them clear away.

I re-burned this one from LP and added the live version of Phantom Of The Opera from the Women In Uniform single (which is also a far superior version to the studio).

One more Maiden one...the version of Sanctuary from the Live After Death film KILLS.

Maiden and Anti-Heros are the only two metal/punk bands I think probably sound as good or even better on their live albums. In fact they're the only two bands I have a live song by on my MP3 player. Many softer artist sound as good or better live though.

Another funny "live" story. Remember this video?



I knew the recording engineer who produced this, the Japanese sound crew did such a bad job on the recording that almost none of the original live sound was salvageable (except for the drums). So the band went into Abbey Road Studios in London and re-recorded everything while watching the video in monitors (so their parts would match the film). However, they didn't have enough space in the studio for the drum set...but they NEEDED a snare drum sound to replace the one from the Japanese recording....

So they went into the tape library and pulled out the session reels from Iron Maiden's Piece Of Mind. They grabbed a single snare drum hit from The Trooper...then spliced it into the film soundtrack to replace every snare drum hit! So it's Queensryche but with Nicko McBrain playing "snare"...listen close and you'll notice that every single snare hit is exactly the same.

Two songs that immediately come to mind is "Coast To Coast" by the Scorpions off of "World Wide Live", and "Out In The Cold" by Judas Priest off their "Live" album. I think they're definitely two songs that benefit from a live sound. I don't think their studio sound does either one any justice.

Both of these tunes are borderline soothing songs. I enjoy listening to both of these songs while driving the open road late at night....seems to add to the whole experience.

metalinmyveins wrote:

Two songs that immediately come to mind is "Coast To Coast" by the Scorpions off of "World Wide Live", and "Out In The Cold" by Judas Priest off their "Live" album. I think they're definitely two songs that benefit from a live sound. I don't think their studio sound does either one any justice.

Both of these tunes are borderline soothing songs. I enjoy listening to both of these songs while driving the open road late at night....seems to add to the whole experience.

Good choices! Also, the live version of "The Zoo" from World Wide Live is MUCH better than the studio version.

detuned wrote:

metalinmyveins wrote:

Two songs that immediately come to mind is "Coast To Coast" by the Scorpions off of "World Wide Live", and "Out In The Cold" by Judas Priest off their "Live" album. I think they're definitely two songs that benefit from a live sound. I don't think their studio sound does either one any justice.

Both of these tunes are borderline soothing songs. I enjoy listening to both of these songs while driving the open road late at night....seems to add to the whole experience.

Good choices! Also, the live version of "The Zoo" from World Wide Live is MUCH better than the studio version.

I think the whole "Wide World Live" album is pretty good,...I agree with "The Zoo". I think you could definitely throw "Holiday" into that mix of great live tunes. I actually can visualize the lighters being waved in the crowd, as Klaus sings, and the crowd serenades back. Great moment!

detuned wrote:

Another funny "live" story. Remember this video?



I knew the recording engineer who produced this, the Japanese sound crew did such a bad job on the recording that almost none of the original live sound was salvageable (except for the drums). So the band went into Abbey Road Studios in London and re-recorded everything while watching the video in monitors (so their parts would match the film). However, they didn't have enough space in the studio for the drum set...but they NEEDED a snare drum sound to replace the one from the Japanese recording....

So they went into the tape library and pulled out the session reels from Iron Maiden's Piece Of Mind. They grabbed a single snare drum hit from The Trooper...then spliced it into the film soundtrack to replace every snare drum hit! So it's Queensryche but with Nicko McBrain playing "snare"...listen close and you'll notice that every single snare hit is exactly the same.

Haha! I'm listening to it from the Queensryche EP and i can hear it.

For metal bands I tend to prefer studio I guess. But for hard rock, glam, & power pop etc. the live effect adds power and energy which I tend to prefer. The best stuff from Slade for example was the live stuff (On Stage etc.).
One thing though, I hate compilations that mix live and studio tracks together willy nilly. It's a pet peeeve, I find them unlistenable.

detuned wrote:

Another funny "live" story. Remember this video?

I have this "unofficially" on DVD. I love the show, but it's obviously not what was recorded that night. That's a funny story.

I think they just pulled this audio from the video and made the bonus live tracks on the reissued EP. I may be wrong on that.

i listen to the studio versions much more than i listen to live albums, if i am honest. with live albums i find them too long so i feel bad if i dont listen to the whole concert

spectrefate wrote:

detuned wrote:

Another funny "live" story. Remember this video?

I have this "unofficially" on DVD. I love the show, but it's obviously not what was recorded that night. That's a funny story.

I think they just pulled this audio from the video and made the bonus live tracks on the reissued EP. I may be wrong on that.

That is correct...

detuned wrote:

I should have remembered this one earlier. Every song on this EP absolutely SMOKES the studio versions, blows them clear away.

I re-burned this one from LP and added the live version of Phantom Of The Opera from the Women In Uniform single (which is also a far superior version to the studio).

One more Maiden one...the version of Sanctuary from the Live After Death film KILLS.

Ever heard the full Maiden Japan show?

I haven't heard the full Maiden Japan show but I do remember that their was a live album with Paul D'ianno titled " Live + 1" I never bought it and was wondering is the same show as " Maiden Japan" ? I have not seen this album in several years and does not appear to be an official release.

DeathCult wrote:

Ever heard the full Maiden Japan show?

Nope...didn't know it existed.

I prefer studio over live, especially with bands like Motley Crue, Vince only sings half of the lyrics live. But if I'm at a concert I almost always like the live versions better.

detuned wrote:

DeathCult wrote:

Ever heard the full Maiden Japan show?

Nope...didn't know it existed.

It was a fan club only release, they did it in 99, Ive sent one to Sax, the whole show RULES, great sound, the bands so tight, its just amazing.

manny wrote:

I haven't heard the full Maiden Japan show but I do remember that their was a live album with Paul D'ianno titled " Live + 1" I never bought it and was wondering is the same show as " Maiden Japan" ? I have not seen this album in several years and does not appear to be an official release.

No, different show completely. Theres two versions, one Japenese with 4 songs, and the Greek with the whole show. It was offical but has never been re-released.

Do you have a CD issue of The Soundhouse Tapes, DC?

No, I had to make a boot of it, I was so utterly Pissed off I missed that mail in offer.

Subdivisions by Rush, on the 90s/00s live albums it sounds so much cooler.