Live vs. Studio?

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RollMyCoaster13

RollMyCoaster13
Jan 26, 2006
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Which songs do you guys prefer live to the studio versions? I'm asking because seeing Hope Leaves live on the current tour, I have a newfound appreciation for that song. I've always loved it, but something about it live sends chills down my spine. I'd have to say:

DotF
TNatSW
The Moor
Heir Apparent
When
The Amen Corner
Face of Melinda
The Twilight is My Robe

I feel so lucky to have seen The Moor, the Amen Corner, and Twilight is My Robe live :worship:

Your songs?
 
I went to see Opeth in Seattle a few months ago, and asides from "In my time of need" which I wasn't particularly impressed with, in its live version, I can't say I really have a preference.
 
Illidan said:
The Morningrise and Orchid songs off any live album are better than they were on the studio albums, I think.
Click to expand...

i may have to disagree. theres an atmosphere on those albums that just cant be replicated live.
 
^ agree. But, i do feel that they are essentially a live act. At the risk of getting flamed, Opeth in some ways reminds me of the Grateful Dead. A progressive outfit that can do anything it puts its mind to.
 
I totally disagree with pretty much most that has been said .... Since they play most songs live exactly as on the albums (or maybe minor twists, but nothing essential), I don't really care that much for them live. Although I do enjoy going to a concert of theirs (even though I'm not making any particular efforts to do so recently), it's just to have a nice evening with Opeth music, not to get something that you don't get from the albums.
The reason the Orchid and Morningrise stuff sounds better to you live, is because of crappy productions on those albums and because they've become better musicians since then.

There is one song though that I prefer live, because then they add so much to it, and that is Closure.
But otherwise: NO, Opeth is definitely NOT easily a live band. They just tour a lot, because they seem to like it and it's what promoting the albums is all about. I would prefer more albums and few live shows, over so many tours.
 
Opeth are ridiculously good live.

I really wish that Opeth would do an Orchid-Morningrise tour. I really hope someday I can experience Advent and Twilight is my Robe in the flesh.


From what I've seen, songs that sound better live (IMO):

The Amen Corner (more haunting with keyboards)
Bleak (Mike's voice suits it more, and the solo is more prominent)
Drapery Falls (not a fan of the telephone vocals on the album)
Wreath (I think it's more powerful slowed down)
A Fair Judgement (the ending is epic when slower)
Closure (self-explanatory)
Grand Conjuration (aggressive live number)


Songs distinctly better on the album:

TNATSW (even though overall improved, the acoustic section was missed)
The Leper Affinity (simply because I wish Per would do the piano section at the end)
Demon of the Fall (Of the two guitar riffs in the verse, the keyboards make one dominate the other)
 
Face of Melinda especially stands out to me as being better than the studio version - due mike's improved vocals since "Still Life" was released.
btw "The Amen Corner" would fricken own live :p
 
Black Session said:
I totally disagree with pretty much most that has been said .... Since they play most songs live exactly as on the albums (or maybe minor twists, but nothing essential), I don't really care that much for them live. Although I do enjoy going to a concert of theirs (even though I'm not making any particular efforts to do so recently), it's just to have a nice evening with Opeth music, not to get something that you don't get from the albums.
The reason the Orchid and Morningrise stuff sounds better to you live, is because of crappy productions on those albums and because they've become better musicians since then.

There is one song though that I prefer live, because then they add so much to it, and that is Closure.
But otherwise: NO, Opeth is definitely NOT easily a live band. They just tour a lot, because they seem to like it and it's what promoting the albums is all about. I would prefer more albums and few live shows, over so many tours.
Click to expand...

Hark him, for he speaks true!
 
When - Studio
Bleak - Studio
Face of Melinda - Live
Blackwater park - live
Drapery falls - either
Deliverance - either
Masters apprentices - studio
Anything off orchid or morningrise = live
 
Having not actually been to an Opeth concert yet, my comments are based on the live releases. Anyway, I do prefer the live versions of the songs from the first three albums, while for the rest I would consider the live and studio versions to be on similar grounds.

Twelveby5 said:
At the risk of getting flamed, Opeth in some ways reminds me of the Grateful Dead. A progressive outfit that can do anything it puts its mind to.
Click to expand...

No flames here, but I find that to be an interesting comparison. I personally have never been able to get into the Grateful Dead; I just cannot fathom how they got so popular. I guess their sound is just too southern for me. Oh well, to each his own. For me, I'll take Opeth way over the Grateful Dead any day....
 
NobodyImportant said:
No flames here, but I find that to be an interesting comparison. I personally have never been able to get into the Grateful Dead; I just cannot fathom how they got so popular. I guess their sound is just too southern for me. Oh well, to each his own. For me, I'll take Opeth way over the Grateful Dead any day....
Click to expand...

Considering the Grateful Dead are nowhere near as popular here in Europe, you have a good point there. The things I heard from them I also don't understand, what's so special about them, or even mentionworthy? Perhaps I just haven't listened to it enough, but everytime I tried a bit I got bored so fast ...
 
face of melinda live, honestly that blew me away, his vocals are so much better (not that they weren't awesome before) and the solo is just unbelievable live, so full of passion and sadness

also in my time of need was amazing too, because mikael got the crowd to sing along, and it was so amazing.
 
Mike can't replicate his growls live as well as he does in the studio. It probably has to do with the fact that he has to do two things at once, but it still stands.

Don't get me wrong though; his live growls are still amazing.
 
I see no parallel between the Dead and Opeth. Tape trading is a huge phenomena with the Dead because their shows vary so much from each other. The setlist could be the same two nights in a row, but the performances could be so different as to be nearly different songs. Phish and the Allman Brothers come to mind as other bands that have similar approaches: the song is a leaping off point for musical exploration. Not so with Opeth. Not that that's bad. I mean, I do wish that they jammed more live, but they play music that is more composed. You wouldn't expect improv at a Bach recital. But that doesn't make the performance any less exciting.
 
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