Do You Prefer Live or Recorded?

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   They're so different - live and Memorex - that I'd prefer not to choose. They both have their plusses and can't really be in competition.
When I lived in Austin I got to see so many live established bands - as well as countless local bands. Seeing Dream Theater in the Backroom on a stage that was about 3 feet high with no barriers between you and the band was absolutely amazing. Listening to 'Awake' on a killer system at the right volume can be pretty amazing, too. 
Some of the shows at Frank Erwin Center were outstanding, but arena shows have always felt like watching an IMAX movie. It's fun but you still miss part of the experience. The smaller the venue the better the show.

When I wanted to be a guitar god I wasted my time at shows pretending I cared how players played and watched them rather than experienced them. Then I gave up the dream and found out that I could enjoy their technical expertise a little better on a recording. So I went to shows more to be in crowds, be with friends and share an experience. My musician friends still fought to the front to watch players play and I moved through the room listening and drinking Shiner Bock. 

But there are some bands that excel at the live show and their energy is dampened when only ever experienced on a recording. And those are the bands that are truly consisting of kindred souls pushing for one goal.
Boingo and Fishbone are prime examples. They put on the absolutely greatest live shows. The energy is infectious. The music feeds the crowd and the bands get off on it and play to their peak.
Some bands put too many layers in their music which can sound spectacular on CD, but because members play multiple instruments in the studio their live output is stumped and the sound suffers.

Poll Question: Would you prefer to see a band live or listen to the CD?
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
I love seeing live shows.	20	[48.78%]
I prefer to listen to music in the comfort of my own home.	21	[51.22%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted

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frinspar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Groupie Joined: March 21 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 47	Posted: April 18 2005 at 19:16
	They're so different - live and Memorex - that I'd prefer not to choose. They both have their plusses and can't really be in competition. When I lived in Austin I got to see so many live established bands - as well as countless local bands. Seeing Dream Theater in the Backroom on a stage that was about 3 feet high with no barriers between you and the band was absolutely amazing. Listening to 'Awake' on a killer system at the right volume can be pretty amazing, too. Some of the shows at Frank Erwin Center were outstanding, but arena shows have always felt like watching an IMAX movie. It's fun but you still miss part of the experience. The smaller the venue the better the show. When I wanted to be a guitar god I wasted my time at shows pretending I cared how players played and watched them rather than experienced them. Then I gave up the dream and found out that I could enjoy their technical expertise a little better on a recording. So I went to shows more to be in crowds, be with friends and share an experience. My musician friends still fought to the front to watch players play and I moved through the room listening and drinking Shiner Bock. But there are some bands that excel at the live show and their energy is dampened when only ever experienced on a recording. And those are the bands that are truly consisting of kindred souls pushing for one goal. Boingo and Fishbone are prime examples. They put on the absolutely greatest live shows. The energy is infectious. The music feeds the crowd and the bands get off on it and play to their peak. Some bands put too many layers in their music which can sound spectacular on CD, but because members play multiple instruments in the studio their live output is stumped and the sound suffers.

Ben2112 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: March 15 2005 Status: Offline Points: 870	Posted: April 18 2005 at 18:31
	I love watching live VIDEOS but I'm not much for live ALBUMS. I'd usually much rather slap on Close To The Edge or Fragile than Yessongs, for instance.

tuxon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 21 2004 Location: plugged-in Status: Offline Points: 5502	Posted: April 18 2005 at 18:29
	I think there's some kind of energie in a crowd enjoying the same parts of music in a similar way, like your feeding each other with emotion, small venues gives the bands more a chance to share in that unleashed energie, and I think that makes them better, at least for the moment, when released on CD these shows tend to sound bad, because it's all a moment thing and you have to have been there to really apreciate that moment. Maybe a strange piece of text, but it's the closest I get to my experiences.
	I'm always almost unlucky _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Id5ZcnjXSZaSMFMC Id5LM2q2jfqz3YxT

HaroldLand Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: April 02 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 162	Posted: April 18 2005 at 17:16
	i saw yes last year twice, in toronto and london ontario, and i've been to about 10 other concerts in the last 3 years, and they have all been amazing, and yes' performances were right on, sounded like cranking up the album. however, i still prefer the home stereo experience, as everything is that much clearer and there are no screaming, obnoxious people or ear damage to get in the way

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Guest Group	Posted: April 18 2005 at 15:18
	I saw Rush on their 30th tour and I really gotta get out to more concerts. Nothing beats seeing an artist perform their music for you.

arkitek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 31 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 289	Posted: April 18 2005 at 13:48
	i coulsn't really vote opn this as i havn't seen any prog bands live but i have seen dvds and from that experience (with surround sound) .......... Defiantly LIVE music!

Dick Heath Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Jazz-Rock Specialist Joined: April 19 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 12818	Posted: April 18 2005 at 13:42
	Important for me to see what these guys are doing. If you amongst 20,000+, over a 100m from the stage and band is playing a note perfect rendition of their album(s), I wonder what the point of going is, now I'm old enough to prefer my home comforts. I caught both Krimson and Led Zeppelin on their respectively first UK tours, both in the scrum of the Tolworth Toby Jug. However, I didn't see any of the KC men in action during their performance and the loss of the visuals made for a very disappointing night. And wrt LZ, all I could see was Plant hair when he was shaking it up and down - but compared with KC, they were loud enough to cut through and make for a better night of live music.

Reed Lover Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: July 16 2004 Location: Sao Tome and Pr Status: Offline Points: 5187	Posted: April 18 2005 at 13:33
	Having seen Porcupine Tree recently in a very,very small venue,I realise that I have been missing out on real live performance. Let me explain.Since about 1985 I have only attended a few concerts (mainly Rush) and these have all been in large stadia.Rush last year was an absolutely superlative show,but that is what it was a "show".I was sharing the band with 20,000 others and there was no real interaction between band and audience.However,as I said,I went to see Porcupine Tree and there couldnt have been more than a few hundred people there.My friend and I ambled up to the stage (almost in shock) and stood directly against the apron.Anathema came on as support and we enjoyed the intimacy of the performance.The same with Porcupine Tree,we got a real buzz from the band and visa-versa-you really felt a connection and an input into proceedings.For all I adore Rush,I feel I got that elusive "something extra" from the smaller scale concert.We came out of the venue absolutely elated and "happy",and excited like teenagers again. So,in the right circumstances,nothing can beat the "buzz" of a live performance by a band you love.


Metropolis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 20 2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 760	Posted: April 18 2005 at 13:27
	Oh, and I don;t drink (well not more than a couple of beers) or do any drugs before or at gigs. I always appreciate it much more in a state of sobriety
	We Lost the Skyline............

Snow Dog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: March 23 2005 Location: Caerdydd Status: Offline Points: 32995	Posted: April 18 2005 at 13:18
	I prefer beer and a CD


Metropolis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 20 2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 760	Posted: April 18 2005 at 12:07
	Recorded music is great but nothing can compare to a live show. After seeing Dream Theater, Rush, Iron Maiden, Metallica, The Mars Volta, Porcupine Tree and others i expeienced an intense adrenaline high that no recording can ever recreate. Live music rocks.
	We Lost the Skyline............

Debra59 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Newbie Joined: April 12 2005 Location: Shiatfield, Ohi Status: Offline Points: 26	Posted: April 18 2005 at 12:02
	I like to watch bands live. But when I listen to bands I usually prefer the studio releases much more than the live recordings.

sigod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 17 2004 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 2779	Posted: April 18 2005 at 11:49
	I had a strange conversation over the weekend with a fellow musician about music and how it is best enjoyed. His contention was that in truth, listening to a record/CD/MP3 was a much better experience as there is nothing to get in the way of you and the band/artist. In addition, they are always at the top of their form and available whenever you want to listen/feel in the mood. I said that seeing a live band is half of the fun for me as the sights, sounds (and smells) of the gig all add to the musical experience. Granted you might see a band on an off night but I believe that when it comes to prog, a live show beats a CD every time. Any thoughts?
	I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision. - Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill