Songs where the best version isn't the studio?

edu · August 15, 2011, 01:57:08 PM

Hollow Years, Silent Man (I like LSFAM version), Take the Time, In the Name of God.

And Octavarium at Score DVD, the "trapped inside this oc-ta-va-ri-uUuUuUm!!!" part. LaBrie FTW!!

The Silent Cody · August 15, 2011, 01:58:13 PM

Definitly These Walls live, it's a killer concert song !

FlyingBIZKIT · August 15, 2011, 02:03:12 PM

The Canadian Rap.

DetonationSequence · August 15, 2011, 02:19:42 PM

To start with, any song that was on Score. DT + flawless performance + full orchestra = the ultimate in live music.

The LATM version (as well as other similar live versions) of The Killing Hand naturally destroys the original, and LATM's Metropolis (and again, other performances where LaBrie hits that glorious 'caught up with MEEEE' extra super high note) similarly has a vocal performance that exceeds the original, though I do prefer the studio version in terms of tone and instrumentation.

Pretty much everything off WDADU and most songs off FII have been played at their best in a live context. Other than that, I think live performances are mostly on par with the studio versions (and of course, when there are things like mistakes or LaBrie's off nights or unnecessarily bloated mid-song jams, the live versions fall short of the studio).

EuropaEndlos · August 15, 2011, 05:16:35 PM

Yeah seeing that Score version of Octavarium in person was awesome... I had chills down my spine when LaBries voice and Portnoys yelling those "TRAPPED INSIDE THIS OCTAVARIUM" part in Radio City...

Have to disagree with everyone about Lines on the Sand... That guy who does the chorus vocals rules.

Chino · August 15, 2011, 05:34:13 PM

I'm on the fence with Metropolis. The studio version is one of the most awesome recordings ever. At any volume, it kicks ass. However, when played live I love the break before the crazy part at the end. I also like the random interludes they do when JLB talks.

I like TDS and ITNOG live more than I do the studio.

LCArenas · August 15, 2011, 05:37:42 PM

Hollow Years
Afterlife
Anna Lee
These Walls

bosk1 · August 15, 2011, 05:48:01 PM

Quote from: Chino on August 15, 2011, 05:34:13 PM
I'm on the fence with Metropolis. The studio version is one of the most awesome recording ever. At any volume, it kicks ass. Hover, when played live I love the break before the crazy part at the end. I also like the random interludes they do when JLB talks.

Agreed. The things you mention make seeing it live a real treat. There are only two things I personally don't like as much about live versions.

First, I don't like the intro being sampled. I wish they would just play it instead of sampling the intro and then the whole band kicking in. It's hard to explain why, but it just feels like it's lacking something that way. And I know others disagree and feel like the band launching in after the sampled intro gives that part an extra punch, but it just doesn't feel to me like it has as much impact.

Second, the vocals from "I'm asleep yet I'm so afraid. Somewhere, like a scene from a memory..." up to the intrumental break. The studio version is perfect. The phrasing on it is just gorgeous perfection. And the layering of harmonies really adds to it. There are plenty of times when James has nailed that part well. But because it is so incredibly demanding, it is virtually impossible to deliver those lines in a live setting the same way they are delivered on the album. Again, that's okay, but it falls just short of the perfection that is the studio version.

Jamesman42 · August 15, 2011, 05:55:11 PM

Yeah, I don't understand why they sample it. MP had those little tiny cymbals that made the very first sound (I believe, I could be wrong), and everything isn't hard to do for DT.

Also, I think I prefer the LATM version of Metropolis to the studio, because JLB lets loose on that like no one's business. Still, I listen to the studio pretty much all the time.

drpez98 · August 15, 2011, 06:09:29 PM

Quote from: Jamesman42 on August 15, 2011, 05:55:11 PM
MP had those little tiny cymbals that made the very first sound (I believe, I could be wrong)

Yeah they soud like sleigh bells! Does anyoe know the correct name for these?

bosk1 · August 15, 2011, 06:39:01 PM

Quote from: drpez98 on August 15, 2011, 06:09:29 PM
Quote from: Jamesman42 on August 15, 2011, 05:55:11 PM
MP had those little tiny cymbals that made the very first sound (I believe, I could be wrong)

Yeah they soud like sleigh bells! Does anyoe know the correct name for these?

Yes. Sleigh bells.

DTFan0789 · August 15, 2011, 07:45:11 PM

"The Root of All Evil" from Score, especially during the "ready to explooooooode!!!" part. SO HEAVY. POWER.

Nic35 · August 15, 2011, 07:59:52 PM

Afterlife.

The Silent Cody · August 15, 2011, 08:01:27 PM

Quote from: Nic35 on August 15, 2011, 07:59:52 PM
Afterlife.

Another Won!!

Chino · August 15, 2011, 08:07:58 PM

I also like Finally Free because of the extended outro when it's played live. Also, add Only a Matter of Time to the list.

Slain · August 15, 2011, 08:25:10 PM

Quote from: Metrovarium on August 15, 2011, 10:20:31 AM
I don't care for Blind Faith much, but the Chaos in Motion version is great. Also, the Live at the Marquee version of The Killing Hand (mostly because of LaBrie's vocals).

Wow. Kind of surprised, I've always loathed that live version, and Blind Faith is one of my favorite Dream Theater songs... for some reason. Personally, if I had to choose, it would be Raise the Knife. I love the Score version of it, and also Afterlife with James Labrie on Score is stellar.

CrimsonSunrise · August 15, 2011, 08:27:53 PM

All the Score songs with the symphony.

replicon · August 15, 2011, 09:14:36 PM

The Spirit Carries On - the version on "A Walk Besides the Band"

Mladen · August 16, 2011, 02:01:47 AM

Hollow years (better at Budokan)
Afterlife (better on Score)
Lines in the sand (better on Chaos in motion)

juice · August 16, 2011, 02:31:22 AM

Octavarium, Score ftw.

Bill Carson · August 16, 2011, 03:06:23 AM

For me would be "Speak to me" - that awful drum machine on the demo version and the guitars sounds far better on the live Rotterdam version. The only thing I prefer on the demo would be the harmonies on the chorus.

jayvee3 · August 16, 2011, 06:07:18 AM

Im actually surprised very few have mentioned 'the spirit carries on' - particularly from the metropolis live 2000 dvd. The album version is cool, but I do tend to skip it a little. The live version with the chior and the lady doing vocals (teresa something from memory) is vastly superior in my mind. Obviously LAB Hollow years - just awesome, Scores 'Another Won', and I actually think I prefer the Score version of 'I Walk Beside You' better than the album too. LATM version of 'The Killing Hand' with the 'Count of Tuscany-esque' intro is reaaly, really good too, as is the LINY 'The Silent Man' - much better with the big last chorus, and a bit grittier. Tht probaly covers most of the ones I feel are superior, however, many of the live versions are just as good or very close to the originals..

fibreoptix · August 16, 2011, 06:47:06 AM

Put me down as another one who prefers the Budokan performance of Beyond This Life. With that middle section (which incidentally has NEVER FAILED to give me the chills... especially the build up and subsequent transition back to the regular structure) it turns an otherwise run of the mill DT song into something really outstanding.

tofee35 · August 16, 2011, 08:55:45 AM

Stream of Consciousness on Live at Budokan was just fantastic. The tempo is perfect and it's just euphoric to listen to. Notsure what euphoric means, but sounds right.

Ben_Jamin · August 16, 2011, 09:00:11 AM

I totally forgot about TSCO from LSFNY. That is one of their most epic moments in DT history. The choir and Theresa adds that extra climax. My only complaint is they didn't end it the way they ended it on the album with that cool Bass line.

nightmare_cinema · August 16, 2011, 10:07:53 AM

The Spirit Carries On is pretty sterile-feeling on the album, but the live version in LSFNY is beyond orgasmic, everything about that performance from Theresa's voicing of Victoria to the crowd reaction when she sings to the goddamn perfect, best solo in my LIFE solo to the cheesy but oh soo right gospel singers is just perfect. Whenever I burn a copy of Scenes for the car or whatever I slip that version in, screw continuity... first time I've ever cried at music without being already sad in my life!

Chino · August 16, 2011, 11:45:33 AM

Quote from: Ben_Jamin on August 16, 2011, 09:00:11 AM
I totally forgot about TSCO from LSFNY. That is one of their most epic moments in DT history. The choir and Theresa adds that extra climax. My only complaint is they didn't end it the way they ended it on the album with that cool Bass line.

But the extended outro with that fun guitar stuff is good too.

Ben_Jamin · August 16, 2011, 11:55:35 AM

Yeah, I'm saying after that they could've ended it the album way, with the cool bassline.

senecadawg2 · August 16, 2011, 01:43:41 PM

Hollow Years LAB
Trial of Tears LAB
The Killing Hand LATM
Through Her Eyes LFNY
The Spirit Carries On LFNY and Score
In The Name of God LAB
Beyond This Life LAB
I Walk Beside You Score
As I Am LAB

some more that I probably forgot...

jcmistat · August 16, 2011, 02:50:53 PM

The Killing Hand, LATM
A Fortune in Lies, LATM
Hollow Years, Budokan
Beyond This Life, Budokan
Afterlife, Score
Under a Glass Moon, Score
The Spirit Carries On, Score
Sacrificed Sons, Score
Octavarium, Score
In the Presence of Enemies, CIM

ScioPath · August 16, 2011, 02:58:00 PM

Innocence Faded from Score

jayvee3 · August 16, 2011, 03:40:35 PM

The other one I forgot to add is pretty much any live version, and very much the 'once in a livetime version' of 'just let me breathe' - the album version is kinda forgettable, but live, its alot meatier and the riffs sound much more chunky

lithium112 · August 16, 2011, 05:46:13 PM

A Fortune in Lies from LATM is the one that stands out as the biggest improvement for me. Also Octavarium from Score. I could listen to Jordan play that continuum intro for like 20 minutes and the OC-TA-VA-RI-UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM scream can't be beat.

ZirconBlue · August 17, 2011, 06:06:21 AM

Quote from: lithium112 on August 16, 2011, 05:46:13 PM
A Fortune in Lies from LATM is the one that stands out as the biggest improvement for me. Also Octavarium from Score. I could listen to Jordan play that continuum intro for like 20 minutes and the OC-TA-VA-RI-UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM scream can't be beat.

It feels like that continuum intro is 20 minutes long.

obscure · August 17, 2011, 06:10:12 AM

Quote from: Zydar on August 15, 2011, 10:34:51 AM
Afterlife

Score version

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Songs where the best version isn't the studio?