Ok, I was listening to a GNR song today from any old concert that I had not heard before. Anyway, in my mind the song goes a particular way because that is the way I've always heard and liked.. In this live version, the mic cuts out a few times and there are some random backup singers. which were out of place. So which do you guys prefer to listen? Obviously, going to a live show is different so I'm not counting those. Studio - you get the version that the band had thought is the best and the audio quality is the best.. For a live - audio wise who knows what you get, but you may get improv. that is unexpected.

any thoughts?

For me it depends on the band. Some can make absolute magic in the studio but then something gets lost in translation when they play it live. Other bands are weaker in the studio, but live they are a force to be reckoned with (Clutch), and they bring out things in a live setting that a studio just could not capture-like the energy, or spontaneous improv. Occasionally a band comes around that can accomplish both very well, like Tool, NIN, Led Zeppelin, The Police, etc... which is partly why they are so popular.

I love rap music, but live rap just doesn't do it for me.. You certainly right about the band.. Grateful Dead, Phish, Blues Traveler (jam bands) definitely are live only

Depends on the musicianship of the band. If they are really good (DMB, although I'm not too big on their music, still puts on a great show) I'd like to see them live, without overdubs. If they aren't great musicians or just sound terrible in a live setting, I'd rather listen to the album and be dazzled by the studio trickery

Like others, it depends on the band (some bands suck live but have brilliant studio production), but to give you at least some answer, I'd always rather hear a great live performance than a great studio album. We don't always get that choice, though. Like you said, rap sucks live.

das

Same here.

For me, it's as if the *truth* about a band comes out in live performance .. whether they are truly great or not.

And in the same way, most of my music DVDs are in-concert DVDs. I just love them.

I love live music. The artists sounds a little more like normal people when they sing live.

Studio all the way.

however, if the band is creative and they release a live recording that's an alternative version of the song then that's cool too.


i.e. RUSH's live acoustic version of "RESIST"

I prefer live, particularly live Tool.

For all that say rap sucks live, please pick up the Roots Come Alive. It'll change your mind.

Generally, it does depend on the band. Although, I've got a lot more respect for great live acts than great studio acts. In my opinion, a band can't be great unless they're great live...

Depends on the band/singer. To me the true sign of talent is when a band/singer sounds better live than they do on a CD.

STUDIO.... easily. Now, live in the studio... THAT is cool. Pretty much any recording where you can hear the audience is less enjoyable to me than the studio version. The band Wire released a live album in '89 ("It's Beginning to and Back Again") that was recorded live then mixed to totally take out any signs of it being live. Probably why I like it.

They both have their place in my book. Sometimes there's a raw energy and genuine feeling live that cannot be achieved via studio, other times the completeness of the sound and clarity of the sound achieve something that live music cannot.

Studio for listening at home and what not. I love watching live music, especially if it's a great live band, but I rarely get real excited about live CD releases. Unless of course it has a lot of good stuff, like rare songs and covers and what not, or alternate takes, then I gobble it up hehe.

live. It's usually more raw, louder (in terms of the guitar mix), and spontaneous.

I wish bands I were into would do what Pearl Jam did and release entire tours on CD.

As others say, it depends on the band. And even then, it depends on the song.

Generally, I like live music better though.

It depends on the band..

Studio Who are nowhere near as good as live Who

Studio Public Enemy is much better than live Public Enemy

Then there are bands that are good in either situation, like the Stones, Sonic Youth and Led Zeppelin.