SoundsXP Message Boards - Indie, Indiepop, Nu-Folk and Alt-Country Forums
http://www.soundsxp.com/forum/

Why Live LP's Are Largely Rubbish
http://www.soundsxp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1558		 Page 2 of 2
Author:  Keefthecat [ Tue Sep 21, 2004 8:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
THE LAST WALTZ... That is all.
Author:  Neon [ Tue Sep 21, 2004 9:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Tony Tourette wrote:
Johnny Anarchy wrote:
Live at the Vortex (Wire and Johnny Moped especially)

'.

Although I love the Smiths, I haven't played 'Rank' often [has anyone? where's Neon nowadays?]


I was going to ask the same of you! I must admit it's one of the least- listened to Smiths albums, although I love the live Rusholme Ruffians. Lovely sleeve, too.
Author:  57YC [ Tue Sep 21, 2004 10:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Making a live album that's worth listening to is a difficult proposition, so no wonder that often people don't bother. Do you mess around with the songs and alienate the folk who came out to hear you play your hits that they heard on the radio - or do give in to that pressure and end up just putting out inferior versions of your old songs?

There's also the dismal "live" phenomenon of putting a crappy live recording out as a B-side, instead of bothering with another proper song. The "(Live)" tag is rarely a hallmark of quality...

But there are plenty of counterexamples where something special and different is going on - to add to the growing list above, both Talking Heads live LPs ("The Name Of This Band Is..." and especially "Stop Making Sense"). Tindersticks do beautiful live albums, but I wouldn't rate them up with the studio stuff.

One like a lot is "801 Live" - Eno, Manzanera and a few other folk set about funked up versions of Eno tracks like "Sombre Reptiles", "Baby's On Fire" and "Third Uncle" - plus you get Eno's perculiar version of "Tomorrow Never Knows". Priceless - but some of the rest reminds you why live albums are usually a bad idea, particularly if like the Strokes you have ony two albums worth of tracks and one way of playing them...
Author:  Westie [ Tue Sep 21, 2004 11:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
'Ere has anyone got Mad for Sadness, the Arab Strap live album...? Apparently it's the absolute bollocks but I'm yet to hear it...
Author:  Fernando [ Wed Sep 22, 2004 12:12 am ]
Post subject: 
The very real issue is that once a gig has been recorded, it's no longer 'live', and is then at the mercy of further twiddling by producers and precious band members. There is simply no substitute for being there. Even live video footage rarely does justice to a performance, as the recent broadcasts of the festivals showed with embarrassing clarity.

For the record, the only live album I can bear to listen to all the way through is that man Neil Diamond's Hot August Night. Although I am intrigued, to say the least, by the metal album Death Live.
Author:  MsCavey [ Wed Sep 22, 2004 12:29 am ]
Post subject: 
Well well well - wonders never cease - Sir Diamond is proving to be a cut (pardon the pun) above the rest when it comes to 'live' performances - come on everybody in your best husky voice :shock:

'Song sung blue, everybody knows one....' :P Gives me chills...
Author:  SPT [ Wed Sep 22, 2004 10:10 am ]
Post subject: 
"LA's fine, the sun shines, most of the time. And the feeling is laid back. Palm trees grow and the rents are low, but lately I've been thinking about making my way back..."

OK so I know the words from the magnificent Killdozer cover version, but Neil's greatest hits are a staple round our house too.
Author:  Bovine Juice [ Wed Sep 22, 2004 12:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
So the only album we all seem to agree on is er Neil Diamond... I'll get our gifmonkeys working on the new logo for SoundsMOR.com immediately...
Page 2 of 2 All times are UTC + 1 hour [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/