The remixing of live albums is a curious concept. Billy Joel’s New Years 2000 live album was remixed in the studio, and fans hated it because the record was so obviously NOT live (they also didn’t bother to put 1/3 of the show on the disc; the bootleg is 3 CDs, not 2).
Meanwhile, Ben Folds’ live CD has pretty much no editing except to make songs from several different shows sound like they were recorded all at once, and I think it sounds really good.
I think it all depends on the band. Take Metallica for instance, they may have lost their luster in the studio (I say may because I am still a huge fan :p) but as far as the tour goes, they are one of the best live bands of all time. They know exactly how to speed up or slow down a song and make it unique and better for a live audience. I even tend to enjoy their live performances over the studio albums. Now so far this year I’ve seen bands like Stone Sour, Disturbed, Korn, Ozzy, etc. and the best bands are the ones that do sound just like the records (in this case Korn and Stone Sour most of all). Then there are people whose bands are far better then the lead singer, and in fact carry them throughout the tour. In this case I’m talking about Ozzy Osbourne. He lost a whole lot in his voice and motor functions even since last years Ozzfest, but the music is what keeps him alive because he has one of the best backing bands in the world with Mike Bordin (drums) Jason Newstead (former Metallica bassist) and Zakk Wylde (the best pure heavy metal guitarist AND my hero :p). All told Ive spent about $200 in concerts this year, and I would say it’s well worth it.
I’m proud to a union man
I make those meetings when I can, yeah
I pay my dues ahead of time
When the benefits come I’m last in line, yeah.
I’m proud to be a union man.
Every fourth Friday at 10 am
There’s a local meeting of the A F of M, yeah!
This meeting will now come to order
Is there any new business?
Yeah, I think ‘Live music are better’
Bumper stickers should be issued.
What was that?
‘Live music is better’ bumper stickers
Should be issued
The gentleman says
‘Live music is better’ bumper stickers
Should be issued
All in favor of what he said
Signify by sayin’ “ay”
Ay!
If, however, you are opposed
Signify by saying “no”.
I’m proud to be a union man.
— “Union Man” by Neil Young
Gotta get myself one of those bumper stickers, b/c I agree completely. You must have had bad seats, because not only did Neil sound great at the live show (at least the ones I went to in Houston and Dallas sounded fantastic) but he sounded better live than he does on the “Greendale” album (which IMO is recorded rather poorly). Live music is better 99% of the time, sometimes you just really want the audience to shut up so you can hear the music. I’ve had a live recording of Greendale in my CD player for a while, and now that the album is released, it will continue to stay there.
Hey Kalt, I saw Neil in St. Louis about a week and a half ago. He did sound great, but I haven’t gotten the new album yet. Neil usually manages to sound excellent, while not sounding exactly like the album. Improvisational ability is A Good Thing.
Let’s be honest; some bands are stage performers and some aren’t. Neil Young has made a great many cool songs, but he’s old and decrepit and I’m surprised the guy can hold up a guitar longer than 20 minutes. Another one: the Rolling Stones, by all accounts, blow chunks in concert.
The idea in a live show is not to match the sound quality of the album - an impossibility - but to make up for it with creative twists on familiar songs, an energetic presentation, showing off some new material and experimenting. A band that just goes through the sheet music is not going to look good; a band that tries some new stuff and presents the material differently, in a manner suitable for a live presentation, can put on a performance far superior to any album.