Songs that you prefer Live to the Studio Version

[filledeplage]

"Funky Pretty."

Oh, yes, indeed!

And, We Got Love (from Concert - 1973)

[Jason]

I don't know if it's so much a case of preferring a live version to a studio version, but a lot of the songs take on a new dimension in the live arena.

Heroes and Villains is great live. I'd say I prefer it over the studio version. Brian may have been the lead vocalist on the studio version but this type of song is just fit for Al. Most of the 1966-73 songs work better live, especially You Still Believe In Me, Wild Honey, Aren't You Glad, Darlin', Wake the World, I Can Hear Music, Forever, Cool Cool Water, Surf's Up, Feel Flows, Marcella, and Sail On Sailor.

[Mike's Beard]

This bad boy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRbBPhodF4Q

Even if purists do point out that the "classic members" are actually contributing very little.

[RollPlymouthRock]

I know i've said this before somewhere but i prefer Wonderful live, I always thought Carl's voice suited the song better than Brian's.

[punkinhead]

love Blondie's lead on Wild Honey

[PongHit]

Heroes and Villains is great live. I'd say I prefer it over the studio version.

Agreed.

[rab2591]

Ok, it's a Brian Wilson solo, but 'Love and Mercy' with the Harlem Boys Choir (on the BW tribute dvd) is jaw-dropping and far superior to the studio version.

[donald]

Wonderbill.  H&V with Ricky on drums.   Funky Pretty on Nassau boot.  Disney Girls on Paramount 93.
KTSA from Knebworth.  Do it Again, the rougher the better.  All or most of the "car" songs.  Surfin USA live is almost always good, especially when Carl or someone else nails the CB intro with the live drums pounding.

[punkinhead]

alot of the horn parts on the Live in London album are really good.
Always enjoyed Brian's vocal parts on trumpet for Do it Again.
Aren't You Glad has a great horn part.

But then again, when they performed Aren't You Glad at the Big Sur in early 70s, I loved the organ parts

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Barbara Ann. Leaving This Town. Keeping the Summer Alive.

[Mike's Beard]

The gospel choir version of "That Same Song" from the '76 TV special stomps the studio version into the ground.

[ReggieDunbar]

I definitely prefer the live versions of Do It Again and Marcella live over the original.
Always dig the lick on the intro to Do It Again, one of my favorite concert moments!

A personal note on the Do It Again intro...
It was a bright summer day in Sweden at the venue and day of The Beach Boys show... the past weeks and days had been really busy...
3.30pm it was time for soundcheck... I was busy with getting everything ready before doors opened... so I hadn't given a thought to the meaning of soundcheck... I was crossing the field in front of the stage

Suddenly I hear a familiar beat from Cowsills drums... I turn to the stage as Scott starts the intro lick on his guitar... everyone in the band looks at me as I'm standing at the empty grass field... I break a smile and cry a bit of pure happiness... and then Mike begins to sing Do It Again...

[Cliff1000uk]

Barbara Ann. Leaving This Town. Keeping the Summer Alive.

I was thinking of a bonus CD of live Barbara Ann's just for AGD?!!

Great suggestions guys-can't wait to go through all of these over the weekend with a beer or two

[JaredLekites]

I like the live version of "Darlin'" much more than the studio recording.

[filledeplage]

Barbara Ann. Leaving This Town. Keeping the Summer Alive.

I was thinking of a bonus CD of live Barbara Ann's just for AGD?!!

Great suggestions guys-can't wait to go through all of these over the weekend with a beer or two

As far as "Barbara Ann" is concerned, it is probably not at the top of the rock music "food chain" but  I would liken it to "Jingle Bells" as Christmas music, teaching young children.  Not my first choice, but when you teach 4 and 5 year olds first, you dig into and "access" their background and what they know, before you teach new material, and, in an effort not to ever dim their natural enthusiasm, you play it anyway and make a big deal when they sing along, learning to use their young voices. 

When you see the faces of the kids, so enthusiastic about being able to "know the words" and tell them they are the "smartest kids in the world," they "respond" by singing "from their toes" at a school show.

Most people at a Beach Boys or Brian Wilson show would never "own up" to saying it was their favorite song, because it is sort of a goofy song, but not unlike the 4 and 5 year kids, the audience just becomes enthusiastic and "rocks out," because they "know the words," but they are swept up with the "party ambiance" that the venue has taken on, through the show. They are "responding" to the rest of the performance.   

Toward the end of the show, everyone is having a blast and no one really cares about how "intellectual" musically it is. It is fun. And,  I have read that having to sing that song, drove Carl crazy but would venture to guess, and have seen him, in spite of himself, have a "belly laugh" watching the crowd go bonkers, so it does have its "place" in the catalog.   

    

[Big Bri]

"Let The Wind Blow" and "Sloop John B." from In Concert.
Even though I LOVE the studio version of "Sloop", I'm just slightly fonder of the live version.
Probably has to do with Carl's voice.

Big Bri~

[donald]

"As far as "Barbara Ann" is concerned, it is probably not at the top of the rock music "food chain" "

not even at the top of the garbage chain.....If I were a raccoon I wouldn't touch it.

[rab2591]

'California Girls' from the Lei'd in Hawaii rehearsals. In it's own way I find it better than the studio version....it depends on what mood I'm in.