This Live video completely shook me yesterday... Options

[Elise]

I agree with Heather 100%

[Pokey]

YES that video is the Live I love .. I first saw it a couple of years ago and besides the host being absolutely hilarious (without trying)it is one of my favourite live vids ever. The fucking passion and energy from Ed alone was awesome, this is before the stomp was even around and it was a god damn TV show, those things no matter how good they can be are still a TV appearence, but this was something else.
The growl in Ed's voice, the vicsiousness of Pat's bass playing .. it was just a hungry band.
But that's it .. now it's a band that have "made it" so to speak and are further then they most likely ever dreamed of getting .. they got nothing left to prove, they've toured for so long and kept a similar setlist for so long that they can do it with their eyes closed, it's like going through the motions now. They can still put on great shows there is no doubt but it's a different sort of energy now ..

Another well said post Edstipe, besides saying you enjoyed SFBM it's a pretty good summing up of my feelings

[stuker]

If you guys are looking for a young band that has a similar energy that Live had back in their day you should check out Greenwheel. Just take a listen to their new single Trigger, and you'll see what I mean.

[livefan1999]

If you watch the video, there is an obvious passion and desperation to the band that simply isn't present today. Today, we rejoice over a Live performance if Ed's vocals hit the right pitch and sound pretty. Back then, it was all about the power and emotion of the whole of the music -- the way it hit you in the gut like a bowling bowl and refused to let you breathe. Back then Ed seemed to be concerned about nothing more than baring his mind and soul for his listeners, and strained with all his might to do so; now, he seems to be more of the typical "sexy" rock and roll star who struts on to the stage knowing that simply opening his mouth is adequate.

I found what you said on Live as they were in the beginning compared to current to be interesting and I respect your viewpoint. I've seen some of those videos of "back when" as I did not see them live at the beginning. My first show was in about 1998/99. It was a good show, for sure, as they are one of the best bands to perform live that I've ever seen. Many are good in studio, but terrible on stage.

I don't totally agree with your quote above, however. I've seen about seven or eight since that first show, and each time I've seen them, I never got that feeling. I always thought they were into the music, not just trying to put on a show. They might have lost some of that initial passion, energy level, but, they are definitely not the youngsters they once were. I know that as I have aged, I approach everything a little more reserved than I did when I was younger. Not just from a physical standpoint, but an emotional one, too. I think we all lose some of that unguarded enthusiasm we had when we were younger as the stresses and strains of adult life take hold.

I would have to say, too, the most recent show I saw of them was at Vic's in Chicago in May, and it honestly was the best show I've seen them do. Ever. They were so into their music, the crowd, the energy from them to the crowd and the crowd back to them. I never felt that Ed was strutting his "rock star" self or the band the same. I really felt like they were loving every second of it and the result was that everyone in the audience felt that enthusiasm from them. Definitely the best I've seen. Maybe their new cd is toned down a bit due to their maturing, etc., but I felt their live show was as exciting as ever.

[seriakiLLa]

Back then, it was all about the power and emotion of the whole of the music -- the way it hit you in the gut like a bowling bowl and refused to let you breathe. Back then Ed seemed to be concerned about nothing more than baring his mind and soul for his listeners, and strained with all his might to do so

That says it all. Very well put.

[Dutch Sparkle]

They might have lost some of that initial passion, energy level, but, they are definitely not the youngsters they once were. I know that as I have aged, I approach everything a little more reserved than I did when I was younger. Not just from a physical standpoint, but an emotional one, too. I think we all lose some of that unguarded enthusiasm we had when we were younger as the stresses and strains of adult life take hold.

That's how I feel too. When you reach your late 20's (as I have..lol) or early 30's you literally 'settle down'. Things in your life become a little calmer and you find you've changed as the years have come and gone. It doesn't mean you don't have the passion, the drive or need to speak out as you did in the younger days (God I sound old..haha!) but you just do it in a different way. And that's what I see happening with Live. It's only my opinion though.

[Another Mary]

I don't totally agree with your quote above, however. I've seen about seven or eight since that first show, and each time I've seen them, I never got that feeling. I always thought they were into the music, not just trying to put on a show. They might have lost some of that initial passion, energy level, but, they are definitely not the youngsters they once were. I know that as I have aged, I approach everything a little more reserved than I did when I was younger. Not just from a physical standpoint, but an emotional one, too. I think we all lose some of that unguarded enthusiasm we had when we were younger as the stresses and strains of adult life take hold.

ITA. I can't think of too many people, whether in a band or not, who have the same energy, passion and hunger as they did in their youth. Time simply erodes that bit by bit; you turn your energies to other things, like parenting. That said, it's perfectly OK to stop liking Live or buying their cds if it's mainly that raw intensity that you seek. I still really dig Ed's vocals and songwriting, so I'll stick around as long as they put out music. Even slightly watered-down Live is better than most of what's out there today.

[Bob]

After reading that awesome post and checking out the video on YouTube, I looked in the pane on the right and found more Live videos and found their performance of Mirror Song from that same Dennis Miller episode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEwzzerzn1c&search=

Wow. The intensity in that version is amazing.

[DrumSolo]

I agree with the sentiment of this thread. Thanks for sharing, all.

[Senghe]

Wow - you can feel the passion and energy right through your computer monitor! That's exactly what made me fall in love with Live. However, after saying that, I never really got that into MJ. I think if I'd heard it before TC, it would have been a different matter, but it's dog rough in places.

I'll be seeing them on Sunday and I know I'm still going to get the goosebumps! Even on SFBM, which I don't really like that much, I still get the odd moment of that fire.

[mattdm11]

ive come to the realization that most bands ive liked over the years are no longer the same....look at my top 3.....dave matthews band, live and REM...all 3 are shells of what they once were. all 3 still put on a great live show, but their studio efforts....ahh well.

[Smokin]

I have only been exposed to Live shows since 2000 when they came out for TDTH tour and they were awesome, I am sure that they were feeding off of the crowds energy and that for me will always be the best concert.

I was lucky enough to see them twice while working in NY, the first time was 2 months after 911 at the Roseland Ballroom which was a special show, I can still remember Ed with the American Flag over his shoulders singing Overcome (I chills down my spine thinking about it) and the 2nd time was the Pre BOP concert at the Hofstra University, it was still good but nothing compared to the 2000 show.

I can only hope that the show in Durban this year will meet or better my expectations.

by the way, does anyone know where I can get the video clips from the '95 MTV unplugged concert? how I wish I could of been there!!

[sherocker]

That's how I feel too. When you reach your late 20's (as I have..lol) or early 30's you literally 'settle down'. Things in your life become a little calmer and you find you've changed as the years have come and gone. It doesn't mean you don't have the passion, the drive or need to speak out as you did in the younger days (God I sound old..haha!) but you just do it in a different way. And that's what I see happening with Live. It's only my opinion though.

I do agree with your opinion although i'd still wish there was a bit of the good old 'anger' back in Ed's eyes....but hey, a girl can dream can she?

This post has been edited by sherocker: Aug 16 2006, 10:45 am

[GvB]

Okay, I can be that Ed is not showing his anger that much anymore, but he still shows his sadness about things in the world ("Home") and he still thinks that love is very important ("Show").
And he shows so much more: the love for his daughters ("Heaven" and "Love Shines") and hope and comfort and happiness ("Wings" and "The River").
I love that.

GvB.

[slainte]

thanks for the link....now that is the LiVE I fell in love with...the passion, the raw talent....