[Vince Ferrer]

Some bands are great live bands, and some are great studio bands. Talking Heads was a great live band. I don't know any fan who doesn't prefer the (filmed)live "Stop Making Sense" version of one of their songs over the original studio version. Prince was also much better live than on album. His studio work was more of a place marker that told the fans that he would play something that sounded a bit like this on his next tour, but the live version would be completely reworked and much better.

The most striking live/studio gap I have ever seen was when I went to a Howard Jones concert as a fluke. Howard Jones was modestly popular in the mid 80s in the MTV days. I wasn't a fan, but I saw him later in concert, and he was simply astounding at his abilities live. He was a fantastic pianist, who wove various different songs he has done together so well it surprised you when you realized they had started out different, distinct songs. Sadly not even one tenth of his talent ever made it onto MTV, he would have been far more popular if it had.

[21twelve]

RUSH sounds just as good or better live (depending on the venue) as they do on the recordings. However, the live show is SO exact it sort of misses on what a “live” show is about - a little improv, etc. (The show is spectacular though!)

I can’t stand Jimmy Buffet music on his old studio albums. But his live albums are great!

[Yaelle]

I loved Prince live too