I don't recall one single song that sounds live even close to the studio version in terms of guitar sound, singing, arrangement. They sound so different. Is it because the Stones are incapable of recreating the studio sound?

Oh, but daaaahling!, you've misunderstood everything completely. A concert is NOT about recreating the studio sound. Going to a concert is about getting a new version, live, organic, with soul, blood, sweat, atmosphere. If you want to listen to an album, which is much cheaper, you can do that in the privacy of your own living room.
If a band, like the Stones, sounded exactly like on an album on stage I'd feel disappointed. But with the Stones, I rarely do. Because they deliver so much more live - on stage - with a great crowd present. They're more inspired, due to our presence. As Keith said at the final show in the O2: "You are all members of this band, you know".
If you want a better studio sound, go upgrade your hi fi system.

gstone Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oh, but daaaahling!, you've misunderstood
> everything completely. A concert is NOT about
> recreating the studio sound. Going to a concert is
> about getting a new version, live, organic, with
> soul, blood, sweat, atmosphere. If you want to
> listen to an album, which is much cheaper, you can
> do that in the privacy of your own living room.
> If a band, like the Stones, sounded exactly like
> on an album on stage I'd feel disappointed. But
> with the Stones, I rarely do. Because they deliver
> so much more live - on stage - with a great crowd
> present. They're more inspired, due to our
> presence. As Keith said at the final show in the
> O2: "You are all members of this band, you know".
>
> If you want a better studio sound, go upgrade your
> hi fi system.


Couldn't have put it any better myself ,well said gstone

ThatsWhatISay Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't recall one single song that sounds live
> even close to the studio version in terms of
> guitar sound, singing, arrangement. They sound so
> different. Is it because the Stones are incapable
> of recreating the studio sound?

The ones that only try to do that is often totally boring.

Exactly! The Stones are NOT boring. They're a great live band. And totally dependent on the feedback from a good crowd. When the crowd's glowing, the Stones are on fire. It happens a lot, actually.

>
> The ones that only try to do that is often totally
> boring.


....see "Pink Floyd"

Mick Jagger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > The ones that only try to do that is often
> totally
> > boring.
>
>
> ....see "Pink Floyd"

I always believed this, until I went to Hyde Park and saw their reunion at Live 8. The vibe was incredible, and Wish You Were Here was so moving.

I prefer the way Stones perform rather than trying to copy step by step their album versions.Live are sooooo good.

maybe you need some better weed??

Don't get me wrong. I don't want them to recreate the studio version 1:1 on stage. Of course after all this is a live concert. But there are many parts in songs which are so essential and the Stones can't seem to get them done right on stage.
I have the impression that either:

a) the Stones are technically not good enough as a live band to deliver again what they once recorded in perfection in the studio.

or

b) after recording an album they quickly dislike what they put on to the record.


I am pretty sure it is a) since the Stones have always been extremely sloppy on stage which has nothing to do with improvisation.

I like the Stones as a live band on show nights when they really excell themselves . I could perfectly do without all the sloppiness. There is still so much potential untouched in the Stones if they just knew how to get their act together EACH night.

You want to hear a polished band performing Stones songs? Download Jagger's 1988 solo tour rehearsals on IORR's Hot Stuff page. Top-notch musicians slavishly performing the album arrangements of each song. Perfect for those that loathe the sloppiness of the live Stones where no one can end a song in the same place. You must find GET YER YA-YA'S OUT and EXILE ON MAIN STREET unlistenable because the band sounds so ragged. While you're at it, you'd best steer clear of The New Barbarians and The X-Pensive Winos.

No way I want to hear a polished band instead of the Stones.
I just want them to be more focused but of course without losing their unique sound.

Btw, you consider Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out sloppy?? God I wish they'd play like this today. I wouldn't have opened this thread then!

I also like Exile, but I only think Mick is too low in the mix.

To my way of thinking they had the sound right in their early 60s days on stage. It sounded like the record then, but maybe I was so awed at seeing them that my ears didnt give a shit, but sloppy they werent and Brian was perfecto. Also, to their credit they didnt have the huge PA systems and over the top electronic gadgetry available to bands today

I think by reading everyone's posts here we see the problem. We don't want them to sound like the albums but since 1989 they have been trying to get their songs to sound more like the albums. Which is why their live sound has suffered since 1989, all the backing musicians came aboard and these songs have been played in a very similar way, more like the songs were recorded in the studio.

Thanks fluck for that!

Maybe you should go and see some tribute bands.
some of them can do the songs just like they are on records.
they'll stick slavishly to the studio arrangement and sound and all
+ they don't do any f***-ups.

the only downside is - they never come accross like the real Stones.

The Stones are not supposed to sound live as they sound in the studio. They rather bring the live feeling in to the studio.

You guys seem to be the happier the more @#$%& ups there are per show?

it`s betterrrrr live

gstone said it best. I like hearing the same song done so many different ways, the way they do when perfroming live. Never boring to me.

Mick Jagger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > The ones that only try to do that is often
> totally
> > boring.
>
>
> ....see "Pink Floyd"


Right. That's why they need all those pretty lights. Take away the visuals and all you've got is something that sounds very much like their albums being played through a really big stereo.

The real trick for bands like the Stones and the Who is not recreating their records on stage, it's trying to get that live sound on their records.

i disagree with the origonal poster.

the stones have on many an occasion sounded very like the studio version of songs.

not that they have to, to produce a great performance, but they can reproduce studio versions when they put thier mind to it.

Funnily - that's what Ronnie said:

We don't change much or noodle around. We try to keep as near at the original as possible.
LOL !