Songs that work better live
 

Hey folks,

I can't quite remember the thread it was in, but I was discussing how "Gypsy" had never really been as good as the studio version on stage (aside from the AHI Benefit acoustic version with Lindsey from 2000). This got me to thinking, there are a number of tracks that I think are much better live than the studio versions. Here's my list:

I'm So Afraid
Eyes of the World
Landslide
Don't Stop
I Know I'm Not Wrong
Say Goodbye
Not That Funny
Without You

I can't remember the last time I listened to the studio versions of "Landslide", "I'm So Afraid" or "Say Goodbye".

Anybody got any others that they think work better live than the studio version?

Equally, does anyone have any tracks that don't really "cut the mustard" live? For me, Seven Wonders and Hold Me were never great live.

Well, for me solo it was Doing What I Can. I never really paid attention to that song on the album and when Lindsey did it in concert I was blown away.

I don't think Enchanted is as good in concert as it is on record.

Michele

i agree with the bolded ones.

i love the twist that both I Know I'm Not Wrong and Not That Funny have on the record though, so i'm on the fence about those two. I Know I'm Not Wrong becomes just a straightforward rocker like any other live.

Not That Funny was always weird and interesting live, in any reincarnation, and they were so very different! but i also love the weird album version.

Landslide and Don't Stop are great both live and recorded, if you really listen to them.

Big Love. without question.

Rhiannon (70s version)
Sisters of the Moon (Mirage HBO concert version)
Silver Springs
Everywhere (The Dance version, due to inclusion of Stevie on backup vocals and Lindsey's guitar line...minor touches that make all the difference)

I'm somewhat torn on the following:
Over My Head: The 70s live version has great energy, but original studio version has such effortless mellow charm...both are great in different ways
Landslide: The live version certainly milks the song for all its worth, but the layered guitars on the studio version are gorgeous...there are at least 3 to 4 individual guitar tracks, making it impractical to duplicate that arrangement in a live setting.

Lay It All Down
Believe Me (1973 and 1974)
Spare Me A Little (1972...Destroys any other version)
Angel (1974)
Bermuda Triangle
The Chain (1982)
Over My Head ('70s)
Tusk
Isn't It Midnight

The one that comes to mind first is from Lindsey's
UTS, Shut Us Down.

YES! If only they would just pick up the pace like they used to :distress: I so wish Lindsey would just go to town, soloing at the end, and Stevie would go all badass rocker. But the way they do it now, just when it should get going...it ends.

Shut Us Down, live, is a thing of beauty. It really is.

Bleed to Love Her

Everywhere from The Dance is a great mention!

Without You definitely. When I heard it for the first time back in June, was blown away. Well, I was blown away with the whole concert but you know....

Big Love by far better live. Love it to death. ISA too.... All the ones mention I would give +1's.

I also like from Lindsey's solo work Show You How. Especially the way it starts....just sounds so sexy....;)

I'm not a big fan of Gold Dust Woman on this tour. I checked the bootleg I have of the Rosemont concert and it goes on for almost 12 minutes! After about 6 or 7 it just gets tiring, and I don't particularly care for her "You can't save me now...." It just goes on and on..... (Sorry Stevie fans!)

GDW was my highlight of the whole show, and the crowd went absolutely MENTAL for Stevie afterwards.

I must be the only person in the world who prefers the band version of "Big Love" lol

+1 for Over My Head, especially on the Rumours tour. Spare Me A Little is equal for me. I love it on the album, too. The great thing about the PG era band is that they were able to replicate a lot of their songs onstage, like The Green Manalishi and Oh Well.

That goes for almost all of Under The Skin, especially the title track.

Bleed To Love Her from The Dance does good things to my heart.

I like it! I wouldn't say prefer, because I love the way he rips up the guitar at the end, but nothing wrong with the 80s synth.

Agree with these ^^^

Especially that particular Sisters of the Moon performance (If I'm thinking of the same one...is she crying at the end?) is my all time favourite Stevie performance. Love her rocking out at the end. Incredible!
I also love The Chain from the Mirage tour. I watched one video and Lindsey's guitar solo at the end is bloody amazing!

I agree with you. It's one of my Top 5 or 10 songs of his. Madman out on a bad man's route, baby.

Michele

thank you! :thumbsup:

You and Lindsfan must have good taste if
you're agreeing with me.

Definitely "Everywhere" and "Say Goodbye". There are a lot of songs which have produced great live versions, but for those two in particular I really ever only want to listen to the live versions, exclusively.

No I prefer the version from the TITN album, even the 12" extended mix. I love the 80s feel.

Say Goodye is by far a better live track.

+1

On The Dance it was a treat, marvellous, great, mindblowing. Now it has become a gimmick. Ok, it's extremely fantastic what he does...but a new (old) approach of the song as it was orginally meant and written might do as well...

I'm surprised World Turning isn't on here.

Mine:
World Turning (In the 70s though, when Mick got all crazy with the African Drum)
Blue Letter
Rhiannon (The Dance version)
Twist and Shout (I know it's a cover but Peter Green's voice is just amazing!)
Like It This Way
Bermuda Triangle
Black Magic Woman (With Bob Welch on vocals...he was a natural)
Remember Me (The one time it was performed with Bob Welch at the Roxy)
Sisters of the Moon (Mirage speaking in tounges version, of course :lol:)
You Make Loving Fun
and last but not least....
TUSK!