May 10, 2022

5 Live Songs That are Better Than the Studio Versions

Rob is the blog creating/gauntlet issuing/list oracle...But at the suggestion that I take the lead on one, LET'S DO THIS.

Ground Rules- Pretty Much Stated in Subject Line...Thanks Emily Drake for issuing this challenge and thanks for those of you all who have already contributed great answers in the Facebook group.

One thing to be noted: this isn't just GREAT LIVE TAKES this is LIVE TAKES THAT ARE SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN STUDIO...So for example possibly my fave live track ever "THE LOAD OUT/STAY" by Jackson Browne can not enter this contest as it is on Running on Empty (Live) with nothing to compare to on a studio mix...

1. STONE IN LOVE- JOURNEY On LIVE ARRIVAL project w/ STEVE AUGERI

Yep...How's THAT for controversy. Let's Kick it off with maybe the most controversial take of my list. Ha. Neal Schon plays his best guitar here and Steve Round 2 out rivals possibly the greatest studio vocalist of all time in Steve Perry... Go ahead and throw stones but listen at ole Red Pants before you go hatin'... Go To 4:45 and "Come On People Let's Go!" Ross V's thundering moving bass underneath SO THICK and so perfectly in the mix (Great job front of house guy), Watch Neal Schred Out MAGNIFICENTLY (it will be the best 2 minutes of your day), but Dean Castronovo seals it for me from 6:30ish on....And Yeah it's a Daily Motion video because I'm more of a true fan than all the "so called Journey fans" on Youtube where it can't be found...How's this for a deep find to kick it off. The "Polished/crisp/clean" sonics of the original on The Escape Album fail to compare to this powerhouse of a live track...and oh yeah THE ORIGINAL FADES OUT...Just sayin...Win goes to THIS live take...

2. LITTLE WING- ERIC CLAPTON LIVE W/ FRIENDS

Ok Here we go...MORE CONTROVERSY lol...There are 1000s of versions of Little Wing (Hendrix, SRV, etc...) Here's the best...Clapton intro solo and big power chords...SC singing harmony MAGNIFICENTLY, a Sax Solo on top of EC 1^st solo section? (sure why not DAVID SANBORN)...

Listen at the organ in the back, NATHAN EAST KILLING it on bass (his dynamics from super low to super high), Andy Fairweather Low (rhythm guitar loving life), and Steve Gadd on drums looking like Animal from the Muppets I mean CMON!

And there's at least 5 Fave Clapton Licks on here but go to 5:45-5:53 for my recency biased fave as speed meets blues meets melody...All other studio versions of this hit are solid...BUT THIS IS ANOTHER LEVEL OF GREAT!

3. LINES ON MY FACE- PETER FRAMPTON: FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE

Ok for kicks and giggles and knowledge, feel free to go on back to our third episode ever released on The Great Song Podcast where we discuss DO YOU FEEL LIKE WE DO and listen to how far we've come ha (be gracious folks we were just getting our sea legs) AND listen to us try to explain why DYFLWD is amazing...and this would have been the smart play. BUT THE ASSIGNMENT is LIVE TRACK MUCH BETTER THAN THE STUDIO version and I think there's as greater gap between the studio and the live version on LINES ON MY FACE (all be it DYFLWD is also better with the extended guitar parts and such).

This version of Lines on My Face is SO much better than the original on Frampton's Camel if nothing else in his guitar tone and sound choices from the intro hook to the solo section...Plus you still get the extra sections of fun melodic guitar...And EMILY DRAKE AND BART GROSS I really liked your Show Me The Way suggestion to go alongside this one but this one just edged it and Baby I love your Way out barely for me....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Kw2UmaQUrw

4. BULLET THE BLUE SKY- U2: RATTLE AND HUM

Perfectly overstated Delay on Bono's Vocals, Edge's Slide Meets Riffs more amplified in the mix, Larry Mullen Jr. Holding nothing back on those "100, 200" hits at minute 2:55 (this is everything to me) , Adam Clayton with the bass fuzz, and REVEREND BONO bringing his version of the gospel...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6ifY1UV3CM

5. LOOK AT LITTLE SISTER- SRV: LIVE FROM AUSTIN, TX

Ok first off there's no weak sax solo at 1:18 like there is in the Soul To Soul Studio Original...Instead he gives it to Reese Wynans on keys for the win. Somehow the studio version which is slower also feels like less pocket than the live run.

The first half of SRV's solo is going magnificently (he starts it so much cooler than the studio version as well), then HE BREAKS A STRING (i know exactly when as I've seen this live recording so many times to go along with the audio), he finishes the solo in grand fashion 1 string less, swaps guitars, doesn't miss a beat (guitar tech for the win), and you never see him break a sweat (except for you do as he's drenched)...You can actually HEAR THE SWEAT (figuratively speaking) and I love the tension turned magnificence...

Almost Made The Cut-

Bob Seger Turn The Page Live Bullet (just keep hearing Metallica's version in my head so couldn't give enough separation from original).

And speaking of METALLICA Their live version of MASTER OF PUPPETS with San Fran Symphony almost made the list.

Paul McCartney "Maybe I'm Amazed" Wings Over America (we already waxed eloquently here season 1 episode 8...Again listen gracefully), anything off of Dream Theater Live from NYC, anything off of VH Right Here Right Now, and anything of any Dave Matthews Band Live Album...

This Was Fun Guys...Thanks Again Emily Drake for The Suggestion and Rob Alley For The Greenlight To Take The Lead On This... J.P.