Live Performance Battle: The Chain

[bluecalmsea]

Which is the best- why? Which would you have liked to see in-person the most?

Japan 1977:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6hldRAQHxIY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Tusk Tour:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O6P2_i0Y6ms?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Mirage:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_uFVlJQyZ3k?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Tango:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GBWp6Us3oEc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Dance:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lpVCL00fPAc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


*Bonus Outtake from Japan 77:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QLQzHqsYeQE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Ulpian]

It would be between Mirage and The Dance for me. I think Mirage wins: that version just absolutely crackles with energy. It's still my favourite.

[TheWILDheart]

Mirage tour version. Stevie's wail's are incredible!

[elle]

many amazing performances of The Chain over the years, but Mirage is definitely the most out there / craziest one.

still every time when someone brings up the chain, i can't help but remember this rehearsal version -
http://www.cmt.com/videos/misc/125812/cmt-crossroads-lindsey-buckingham-little-big-town-extras-the-chain.jhtml

[jmn3]

The Chain from the Mirage Tour Video has always been what I considered the best performance of that song...ever. It is perfection on all fronts.

[KenshiMaster16]

Mirage tour hands down. BUT the first time I ever saw The Dance, seeing that energy between the fantastic five-some again, only time I got goosebumps during my first viewing so that's a very close second.

[moon]

The Dance version, definitely.
Maybe the Mirage version has more energy, but I really don't like that performance at all. I said before, that Stevie semed possessed, screaming, I never liked. The intro and the end were always for me the best parts, more if the intro has that photographic presentation. :thumbsup:
About the Dance version, it has energy too, and is faster than the Tusk one, especially if we know that, after a time, some bands tend to play slower their songs. It's not the case. Also, it's easy to play, and the "ping-pong" between bass and guitar at the intro is simply amazing!!
Regards!

[windbecame]

Mirage!! stevie barking matches lindsey barking!!! :nod:

[GoldDustBoy]

It's a tie between Japan and The Dance for me.

[cantgoback]

Mirage, i've never been a huge fan of the dance version

[bluecalmsea]

The Dance is my favorite. I think Mirage is a more dynamic performance, but I love the way their voices sound (deeper, fuller, more mature) on The Dance.

[Lindsfan]

Mirage for the complete performance, and for Lindsey's guitar at the end.

Japan '77 is the one I would have loved to be at. Extremely intense Lindsey with open shirt, shaking afro, adorable smile. Yeah :cool:

[SteveMacD]

Not saying it's the best, but...

"Time" band (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqbBeQ3z19o)

[SteveMacD]

My favorite memory from the 1994 tour was seeing Billy rejoined in the band.

[SorcererJP]

Tough one, The Dance is way to polished for me, so I prefer the 1977 one, because of the fact that it was fresh and new then. Mirage is very raw and intense, so a fair runner up.

[Ulpian]

Not saying it's the best, but...

"Time" band (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqbBeQ3z19o)

Heinous crime, I know, but I quite like this version!

[CADreaming]

The Mirage version.

[GypsySorcerer]

I love the energy of the Mirage version, but I have a sentimental attachment to the Dance version. I heard those first few bars, saw Stevie's back to the audience with her tambourine, and thought...."Whew! They're back."

[goldustsongbird]

It would be between Mirage and The Dance for me. I think Mirage wins: that version just absolutely crackles with energy. It's still my favourite.

It's hard to beat Stevie's glare and red lips in Mirage. I just love The Dance's snakiness and the way she sings "down comes the ni-yight."

[jbrownsjr]

Mirage. Raw versus produced...

[lettucesoap]

Mirage for drama and energy but probably slightly prefer The Dance vocally... would very happily have been at all of them though ;)

[Hawkeye]

Mirage for sure. The dance is a very close second. The vocal from the dance is very unique. It never sounded like that before or after that tour.

I don't know if anyone else feels this way but I find all the chains from both the rumours and tusk tours very lousy and boring. From the bass solo on they're great, but the first 3 mininutes of the chain live on both those tours suck for me.

[drzubritsky]

Mirage for sure. The dance is a very close second. The vocal from the dance is very unique. It never sounded like that before or after that tour.

I don't know if anyone else feels this way but I find all the chains from both the rumours and tusk tours very lousy and boring. From the bass solo on they're great, but the first 3 mininutes of the chain live on both those tours suck for me.

The Dance version probably sounds unique because that was the first and last time it was done with Christine in a slightly lower key. While I usually disapprove of dropping the key, in this case the combination of the lower key and the deeper voices actually create a richness that is quite effective.

I agree that the Rumours and Tusk versions lack a certain spark, not sure why. And while I do like the energy of the Mirage version, Stevie's out-of-control vibrato really grates on my nerves (a problem throughout the whole concert). Maybe they should have put her voice a bit lower in the mix to make it less overbearing. In any event, The Dance is my favorite version for the reasons cited above.

One nitpick about virtually ALL live versions of The Chain is John's famous bass solo. On the original recording, the bass solo is played with a very stark simplicity, which is what makes it so striking. On the live versions, he embellishes it with a couple of extra notes and it loses its effectiveness.

[Matthew]

I love the most probably the Tango version... I love the long ending... their guitars and sure Stevie´s voice there.
But they did it very good on The Dance video too.