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Bands that sound much better live than on recordings?

C

chuck norriss

Inactive
Jan 20, 2011
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#1
I saw DEVO last night. They are incredible, live. Sure it's loud but the energy and wall of sound the vocals the guitar tones--all great. I never dance at shows but I danced at devo.
The Replacements were great live, before All shook Down depression era.
Esperanza is much better live.
Anita baker.
 
#3
This is really subjective. I happen to prefer to hear MOST bands live because I value on-the-spot artistic expression over studio production. The exceptions are bands that can't (Steely Dan, for example) or won't (anyone seen the Stones lately?) play with the greater creativity when they are live.

Chicago live at Carnegie Hall was not nearly as polished as their studio albums to date. They made some mistakes but I much prefer listening to the live version. Perhaps the greatest example of emotion/creativity (live) vs. studio polish is Joe Cocker's performance of "With a Little Help From my Friends" at Woodstock in comparison to the studio version.

Of course this is my opinion. Others feel the mistakes made live, the stripped-down arrangements and/or the lack of polished vocal harmonies detract from the perfection of a good studio recording. That is their opinion.
 
#4
I LOOOOOOVE Devo, but I find them to be fairly sloppy live. But their earlier albums were pretty under-produced, and the sound they have live is much better. Plus they have Jeff Friedl on drums when Josh Freese can't make it, and he's my bud!
 
#6
Well, kind of related, but I prefer the live versions of songs found on Talking Head's Stop Making Sense and David Bowie's Stage to their studio counterparts. Unfortunately, I didn't see either perform.

Otherwise I find live/studio to be very different worlds and often there are different goals for each. I like the experience of both.
 
#9
Marial said:
Well, kind of related, but I prefer the live versions of songs found on Talking Head's Stop Making Sense and David Bowie's Stage to their studio counterparts. Unfortunately, I didn't see either perform.

Otherwise I find live/studio to be very different worlds and often there are different goals for each. I like the experience of both.
Click to expand...

I do too but I guess I'm just talking about gross differences. I think Devo is a good example because they're techno-tight somewhat small sounding on record but live they will knock your socks off. & agreed re stopmakingsense & Stage.
 
#11
JimmyM said:
I LOOOOOOVE Devo, but I find them to be fairly sloppy live. But their earlier albums were pretty under-produced, and the sound they have live is much better. Plus they have Jeff Friedl on drums when Josh Freese can't make it, and he's my bud!
Click to expand...

You do? Can't tell! They killed last night. Freese (NIN) on drums. He's a great addition--I think. He brings the energy & heat they need, really gives their stuff a shot in the arm & gets away from a smaller techno sound.
 
#17
Cheap Trick used to always be incredible live. Lately, age is catching up with Robin Zanders voice so it's hit or miss these days, plus Bun E. isn't touring with them. :(

But when they are ON they bring a damn fine show.
 

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