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Which PG songs do you think work better live than the original? How about the other way round? I always felt the live version of SECRET WORLD worked much better than the original (though I still love it) and also I really liked the live version of LOVETOWN on the Secret World Tour. I was a little disappointed by comparison when I heard the studio recording. On the other hand, I feel both STEAM and BIGTIME don't work as well as the originals when played live, largely down to the originals being much more layered, overdubbed, produced etc.

I went to the Secret World tour and he did not play Lovetown, it's ok not one of my favorites. I think Kiss That Frog is much better live in fact I really don't like the studio version at all. Big Time seems better from the studio to me.

I agree about Secret World.Maybe I like some versions of Games live,but I love the record version,too.Also I agree about Big Time,he hasn't played it live a lot through the years,has he?

It's difficult to answer to this thread,because,in my opinion,live versions of Peter are something that goes beyond. . . . How can i forget the fantastic performance of Peter on stage?His theatricality?His incredible personality? So,it's difficult,if i think,for example, to "Mercy Street". . . . . .live version it's something that does not exist in this Planet,something touching,special,absolutely unique and fantastic ( and i have seen only with video!!) nobody can do like him,past present or future. . . . Or "San Jacinto",another example,so. . . . .i LOVE BOTH versions

i prefer "secret world" live than the sudio version it's funny to see how many different versions of a same song Peter is able to produce

"The Tower That Ate People" was much more powerful live than the studio version. But in the case of "Come Talk To Me" i think i prefer the studio version than the live version with Mel on vocals. But what a treat is the version with Paula from the Secret World Live!

Thinking of OVO, the version of 'Downside Up' on Jools Holland with P Buchanan and Liz Fraser had so much more impact than the album version. Love Liz' voice on that.

. . ."STUDIO VS. LIVE" : In Peter Gabriel`s case this is something special and completely different to other artists. The LIVE-versions of PG sound always different to the studio-versions. As long as PG`s voice is in a good shape on the day of any live-performance, you will get some excellent performances of any Gabriel-song, which also reveal the true power, emotion and impact of a PG-song, that possibly got hidden on the studio-version. Also throughout the years many Gabriel-songs were presented live with new arrangements, which ended up in different live-versions of one song. The more and different versions of a Gabriel-song you got - including good mixes and good live-versions - the better you get to understand the meaning and intention of a song. So one can choose out, which version he/she likes best - surely many will also prefer the studio-versions.

Yes,i agree. If we are only talking about Music i prefer studio versions,because they are more close to the Artistic intention of Peter,they are more. . . . pure. An example of this,for me,is the versione of "Plays Live" of "No self control",it's nice and different,but i prefer the studio version because has a charm more dark. . . . . BUT if i think of Peter Gabriel live,to look at him on stage,it's difficult because he gives to the songs an incredible and deeply extraordinary meaning, so i agree that he is absolutely unique and different from other artists. . . .in this case it's hard for me to choose,i am in difficulty. . . :-], maybe i love both versions. . .but it's hard,ah Peterrrr!!!

Yeah there are several songs that work much better live than in the studio: "Mercy Street" "Street Spirit" (from SM "Secret World" "On the Air" I also agree that Big Time does not work live. "Milligram's 37" is pretty dodgy, too. Interesting thread!

Oh, and "Biko", too, works better live than the original studio version.

I have to say that i liked very much "Big Time" at Warm Up tour 2007,very nice! . . . .after New Blood Tour,i have to say that i love both versions of Peter's songs,original version because they are fantastic,they are impressed in my heart. . . . .and with Orchestra too,because to listen to these songs in another dimension,in a different colour from the original ,with live Orchestra it's a wonderful experience. . . .

live-versions of "Big Time" from 1986/87 reveal the funky roots of the song - very cool and explosive live-versions actually.

the philadelphia spectrum show from 1987 is quite good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkIFL4yqXm8 big time "secret world" works much better for me live vs. studio.

Great live version of Big Time Mozo. Songs that come to mind better live vs. studio for Mak are. . . Secret World Sky Blue No Self Control Here Comes the Flood Surely there will be more.

. . .and Biko!

I prefer "Downside Up" live version.

Yeah i like the live version of Downside Up too. Especially during the new blood tour. I really liked Scratch My Back live as i thought all of it was better live, however i prefer the studio version of Listening Wind as i thought it was the only song that wasnt better live