[jgardz]

Having seen the hip 20+ times, I have to say that nearly EVERY song sounds better live, if only cause of the crowd noise, etc....some songs might not really be great live, but I prefer live to studio anytime....

I always prefer the songs that take on a new life on stage, songs like Grace Too, Meridian, Fully, etc....as well, some of the newer stuff will be great live too, once they've been around for a couple of tours and have been "worked in"...I think songs like Gus, Nashville and Josephine will sound amazing on the next tour.....

[Killer Whale Tank]

I can't even remember if I replied to this thread back in its heyday (!) BUT I gotta say: GRACE, TOO is just deadly live, so much so that I can't even listen to the album version any more.

As For IBE, I think it's gonna be a fine line either way because the record is so live-off-the-floor-sounding. But anyway, I want to stand up for the recorded version of 'Summer'---I LOVE it when a singer's voice breaks on record, or when you can hear the drumsticks click at the end of a tune (Nashville), or hear the guitarist's shirt buttons clattering on the guitar (a notorious Dylanism), or anything that gives it that live-sounding immediacy. :thumb: Leonard Cohen: 'there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.'

[tigerthelion]

I can't even remember if I replied to this thread back in its heyday (!) BUT I gotta say: GRACE, TOO is just deadly live, so much so that I can't even listen to the album version any more.

As For IBE, I think it's gonna be a fine line either way because the record is so live-off-the-floor-sounding. But anyway, I want to stand up for the recorded version of 'Summer'---I LOVE it when a singer's voice breaks on record, or when you can hear the drumsticks click at the end of a tune (Nashville), or hear the guitarist's shirt buttons clattering on the guitar (a notorious Dylanism), or anything that gives it that live-sounding immediacy. :thumb: Leonard Cohen: 'there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.'

I agree about loving the so called mistakes on an album. I love that the Hip and Kasper didn't just record a version of "Summer" where Gord's voice sounds a little more polished. I love that they left in some imperfections, which in essence makes the album all the more perfect. Why bother making an album sound flawless? Everyone, even Jimi Hendrix, makes/made mistakes. When any bands plays live, mistakes are going to be made. I don't understand why recorded albums have to sound so flawless and everything has to be in perfect order. Gord laughing in "Pillform" (Battle of the Nudes) is great. Don't get me wrong though, there has to be some quality. I couldn't stand to listen to a record with tons of mistakes, like old punk music or something. There has got to be some quality. :thumb:

"Summer's Killing Us" is good on record but just better live. Also, one of my new live favourites has got to be "My Music At Work". It's evolved very nicely, and Gord has some interesting vocal work in concert. I love how Bobby jams out at the end too.

[skippy the wonder dog]

I LOVE it when a singer's voice breaks on record, or when you can hear the drumsticks click at the end of a tune (Nashville), or hear the guitarist's shirt buttons clattering on the guitar (a notorious Dylanism), or anything that gives it that live-sounding immediacy. :thumb:

Shirt buttons clattering on the guitar are part of the music!

But I can't stand the album version of Summer -- it isn't the breaking voice, but the oversinging that isn't lived up to by the rest of the band. Much better live.

The strain in Gord's voice makes the album version of Heaven, on the other hand.

[k_annable]

I can honestly say that I didnt even like the Hip unlike I saw them live at a festival that I did not go to see them, so obviosuly I understand the power of their live presence. But to deem one or two songs the best live I'd have to go with:
Grace just because the anticipation in the enitre crowd with the first few chords until gords sings...and then also
Bobcageyon...just for the part "That nite in Toronto..." where you feel the entire crowd and bands energy

Worst: I had to go with Springtime...I find when sang live it really drags on and bores me
Silver Jet - maybe its just cuz the song is not a particular fav, but live it really seems to lack any energy and falls flat

[emperor penguin]

BUT I gotta say: GRACE, TOO is just deadly live, so much so that I can't even listen to the album version any more.



I love the album version of grace too but you have to give props to the live version it is amazing.

[tigerthelion]

So it seems like the general concensus is that "Silver Jet" is pretty poor live. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this.

[Lizard King]

BUT I gotta say: GRACE, TOO is just deadly live, so much so that I can't even listen to the album version any more.



I love the album version of grace too but you have to give props to the live version it is amazing.

I feel the same way myself, Ive been listening to a lot of boots lately and some of the songs sound so good live its ruined me for the album versions. But I love the Hip and whether its albums or live they all sound great. Songs like Blow,NOIS,the 100thM and Courage will be remembered for being great live songs. The Hip sure do have a amazing legacy, and IBE sounds so good live, they show no signs of letting up, and waiting for the next album to come out and tours to start has become more exciting now than ever. I started seeing the Hip back in 95 and they sounded amazing then and still sound just as good today. :thumb:

[Cpt. Trips]

I think Sliver Jet should Immediately be replaced with Freak Turbulence whenever put on a set list...

No one (other than us super fans of course) even knows Freak Turbulence and yet it gets a better crowd reaction then Jet.


JUST THEN THE CAAAAAAAAAPTAIN..........so goood...best song on the album...

[joanie]

Captain, I'm afraid we're having a hard time hearing you in the back of the cabin here. Surely when you said "Freak Turbulence" you meant Tiger, or the Bastard, or PD...

[joanie]

...though I'm with you on Silver Jet. Never got it and very surprised at its popularity.

[cochise]

I would have to say Music @ Work. When I first bought the album, I thought it was a mediocre song on a less than mediocre album. (Les than mediocre for the Hip that is, probably 10x better than most of the albums released that year, but still not my favourite)

Anyways, this song was made to be played live, is comes across amazing. As soon as you hear the intro, no matter how hard you try to restrain yourself, you can't help but to start bouncing........... :jump


"la lala la etcetera................."