• Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 1,308

Topic: Studio Version vs Live

Just curious about something,  I love most  Joe songs live better than studio versions.  Are there any that you prefer the studio version?  If this is a duplicate subject let me know and I will just delete this.  What brought this to mind is Driving Towards Daylight (the song)  There is a back beat on the studio version that is hard to replicate live.   Not sure what was done in the mix but I love it.  Mostly hear it in the chorus.    While I love all the live renditions of this especially the acoustic one on Vienna, the Studio one is my go to sound.   

Anyone else out there have songs like this?  Too much time thinking and not working, tongue

  • Registered: 2013-06-10
  • Posts: 360

Re: Studio Version vs Live

For me the only version that come to mind is Stop! I have equal love for the studio version and the 2009 RAH version, oh and I prefer the studio version of Dislocated Boy.

  • From: St. Charles, IL
  • Registered: 2013-08-01
  • Posts: 636

Re: Studio Version vs Live

I agree with you Mary in that I like Joe's live stuff better than studio. There are quite a few studio songs I listen to regularly that Joe doesn't play live...Prisoner, Heartbreaker, Whale that swallowed Jonah, Reconsider baby (<-my FAV) I have my go to studio songs, but for the most part I love his live albums so much! I just think it's so cool that his live albums are more favored than studio ones and that's because his voice and playing are just always on point. I am very much looking forward to the new studio album though!

  • Registered: 2013-06-10
  • Posts: 360

Re: Studio Version vs Live

Joe has often said he prefers playing live and doesn't enjoy the studio but views it as a necessity.

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Studio Version vs Live

Asking Around for You comes to mind.

I also prefer the live versions almost without exception. I agree that Stop is an awesome studio song and rivals the live version...although the RAH version is one of my all time favorite live songs ever.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Studio Version vs Live

edragoo wrote:

I agree with you Mary in that I like Joe's live stuff better than studio. There are quite a few studio songs I listen to regularly that Joe doesn't play live...Prisoner, Heartbreaker, Whale that swallowed Jonah, Reconsider baby (<-my FAV) I have my go to studio songs, but for the most part I love his live albums so much! I just think it's so cool that his live albums are more favored than studio ones and that's because his voice and playing are just always on point. I am very much looking forward to the new studio album though!

Ok, here's a live version of Reconsider Baby...one I've watched too many times to count. This was in Joe's set list when I first saw him: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fCdNsm7gvu8

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • RickB
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Re: Studio Version vs Live

Bill S wrote:
edragoo wrote:

I agree with you Mary in that I like Joe's live stuff better than studio. There are quite a few studio songs I listen to regularly that Joe doesn't play live...Prisoner, Heartbreaker, Whale that swallowed Jonah, Reconsider baby (<-my FAV) I have my go to studio songs, but for the most part I love his live albums so much! I just think it's so cool that his live albums are more favored than studio ones and that's because his voice and playing are just always on point. I am very much looking forward to the new studio album though!

Ok, here's a live version of Reconsider Baby...one I've watched too many times to count. This was in Joe's set list when I first saw him: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fCdNsm7gvu8

One song I wish I'd been able to see performed. The all-time face melter!

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8 Reply by ohiodawg13 (edited by ohiodawg13 2014-07-01 21:48:22)

  • From: Benicia, Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 5,828

Re: Studio Version vs Live

One studio cut I'll just have to settle for since I've never heard Joe play it live is Man of Many Words. I also listened to Asking Around and Mtn. Time so many times before listening to them live that I'm split on which versions I prefer. Potatoes, pototoes, it's all good in my book.

                                                                                Live In Studio!

                                                                                J Dawg

P.S. Just thought about it a little more and I'll take the studio version of So It's Like That any day!

What is success? Is it do yo' own thang, or is it to join the rest?   -Allen Toussaint
  • gary
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  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
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Re: Studio Version vs Live

I am probably in the minority but I tend to listen to the studio discs more than the live.I do like the live versions it just that I like to listen to all the songs and the live discs tend to be a best of in many ways.So most of the time I take in the ("deep cuts")

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

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  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2013-03-29
  • Posts: 177

Re: Studio Version vs Live

Bill S wrote:

Ok, here's a live version of Reconsider Baby...one I've watched too many times to count. This was in Joe's set list when I first saw him: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fCdNsm7gvu8

Ab-so-lutely awesome!  Apparently I've seen this before, because I had it marked with a thumbs up, but I'd totally forgotten about it.  Must have a been a couple years back.  Thanks for linking it!!!!

  • From: St. Charles, IL
  • Registered: 2013-08-01
  • Posts: 636

Re: Studio Version vs Live

Wow love it Bill! I have seen this video before and it really is jaw dropping. So wish I could of been able to hear him play that. It really just puts you in a trance...Rick, definitely a face melter!

RickB wrote:
Bill S wrote:
edragoo wrote:

I agree with you Mary in that I like Joe's live stuff better than studio. There are quite a few studio songs I listen to regularly that Joe doesn't play live...Prisoner, Heartbreaker, Whale that swallowed Jonah, Reconsider baby (<-my FAV) I have my go to studio songs, but for the most part I love his live albums so much! I just think it's so cool that his live albums are more favored than studio ones and that's because his voice and playing are just always on point. I am very much looking forward to the new studio album though!

Ok, here's a live version of Reconsider Baby...one I've watched too many times to count. This was in Joe's set list when I first saw him: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fCdNsm7gvu8

One song I wish I'd been able to see performed. The all-time face melter!

12 Reply by Lee

  • Lee
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  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
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Re: Studio Version vs Live

Generally, I prefer live over studio as well, but there are some songs that I like the studio version more.

I know Joe doesn't like it, thus the reworking later on, but I really like the original "Around The Bend".
"Never Make Your Move Too Soon" is another one off HTCT that has been done a few times live, but the studio version - with one of my favorite guitar solos - has never been topped - at least not yet.
And the title track from "Had To Cry Today" is as rockin' as every live version I've heard.
I really like the rawness of the original studio version of "Django".
I'd also give a nod to the studio versions of two of Joe's most popular songs: "Pain and Sorrow" and his cover of "Tea For One", especially over the "Tour de Force" recordings.

  • From: Benicia, Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 5,828

Re: Studio Version vs Live

Just an observation, but Lee, Gary, and myself, with Bill as the exception are 8 year forum members, not to mention how long we were listening to JB before joining the forum. Well my point is us older members favor a lot of the older studio stuff possibly since ANDY Live was the only live offering at that point in time. ANDY Live was a true raw live performance and when I got a copy of LFNIP it sounded like a studio recording with crowd noise strategically placed. Since then there are a lot more live offerings available so I can see why the newer fans would be more in tune with that material.

                                                                                     Live Or Not
                                                                                     I Like It A Lot!!!

                                                                                     J Dawg

What is success? Is it do yo' own thang, or is it to join the rest?   -Allen Toussaint
  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: Studio Version vs Live

I usually enjoy live music for any act above studio recordings. You get the skill and ability far more with no places to hide. As for Joe's studio recordings, I tend to listen to them on shuffle and they come as a refreshing change at times and usually in the car. The live stuff I listen to in entirity. My all time track I prefer in studio form is Tea for One. cool

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • From: Central Illinois
  • Registered: 2014-04-24
  • Posts: 293

Re: Studio Version vs Live

In general I prefer live recordings over studio recordings.  It's not uncommon for me to buy a live album before I will buy a studio album by any particular artist.  Especially if I am new to that artist because usually a live album will be a "best of" compilation.

But that being said, many times there are incredible songs on studio albums that never make it to the stage for whatever reason....so it's important to buy both studio and live albums.  smile

16 Reply by wvgirlinky (edited by wvgirlinky 2014-07-02 08:34:19)

  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 1,308

Re: Studio Version vs Live

Lee wrote:

Generally, I prefer live over studio as well, but there are some songs that I like the studio version more.

I know Joe doesn't like it, thus the reworking later on, but I really like the original "Around The Bend".
"Never Make Your Move Too Soon" is another one off HTCT that has been done a few times live, but the studio version - with one of my favorite guitar solos - has never been topped - at least not yet.
And the title track from "Had To Cry Today" is as rockin' as every live version I've heard.
I really like the rawness of the original studio version of "Django".
I'd also give a nod to the studio versions of two of Joe's most popular songs: "Pain and Sorrow" and his cover of "Tea For One", especially over the "Tour de Force" recordings.


Lee I totally agree about the original Django, something amazing is happening in this song and you can hear it.   I heard the live version of Around the Bend first then Michael  shared the original on a video  after I told him how much I liked the song. His ovation at Vienna  touched my heart.   I agree there is something about it.

Seeing Joe live is always better but some songs have a more quiet feeling to them on the studio version that I like.

  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 1,308

Re: Studio Version vs Live

ohiodawg13 wrote:

Just an observation, but Lee, Gary, and myself, with Bill as the exception are 8 year forum members, not to mention how long we were listening to JB before joining the forum. Well my point is us older members favor a lot of the older studio stuff possibly since ANDY Live was the only live offering at that point in time. ANDY Live was a true raw live performance and when I got a copy of LFNIP it sounded like a studio recording with crowd noise strategically placed. Since then there are a lot more live offerings available so I can see why the newer fans would be more in tune with that material.

                                                                                     Live Or Not
                                                                                     I Like It A Lot!!!

                                                                                     J Dawg


I think that is a good point to make.  I have only been following Joe for a bit more than two years but going back through his catalog I have found I love the studio work too.

18 Reply by wvgirlinky (edited by wvgirlinky 2014-07-02 08:32:54)

  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 1,308

Re: Studio Version vs Live

gary wrote:

I am probably in the minority but I tend to listen to the studio discs more than the live.I do like the live versions it just that I like to listen to all the songs and the live discs tend to be a best of in many ways.So most of the time I take in the ("deep cuts")


I tend to go thru his catalog in chronological order. I have them all on my media player and start with the oldest first and go from there through time, then start over.  so I listen to all Live and Studio alike. I find that i discover little nuances each time I listen to  an album again and again.