Live Performance Battle: The Chain

[Ulpian]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

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

"Time" band

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.