Live vs. recorded


I'm wondering if others of you have a strong preference between live tracks or studio recorded versions. Obviously the quality of the recording plays a role. But for me, I would rather listen to a mediocre recording of a a live track than a higher quality studio track.
tmhouse0313
From my perspective, there are no hard and fast rules governing a live recording. For example, my favourite live album is Renaissance's "Carnegie Hall", which I prefer to all their studio albums. That's not to say I don't like the latter - on the contrary, I love all of them from 1972-77. It is beautifully recorded and sounds fantastic. Conversely, my favourite Grand Funk album is the "Live Album" and that is a sonic train-crash, albeit an exiting one!
I suppose it helps if your brain (and ears) are attuned to the dynamics and soundstage of the concert hall. A recording made on the stage will sound vastly different to that of one made in a studio. There will be differences in tonal quality and of soundstage and quite likely some factors that would otherwise be deemed intrusive - building characteristics and audience participation notwithstanding. A lot of those factors will be seen as a positive boon to those that love the concept of the live recording and studio made performances may be seem stilted and contrived. Of course one needs a system that will reproduce, to the listeners satisfaction, and as far as is possible, the sonic signature of the concert hall.
Personally I like a balance, both of studio and live but also of the different sonic characteristics that are presented. I love both the excitement and immediacy of a live recording just as much as a beautifully crafted studio recording.
I'm with Shadorne - maybe because our musical taste overlaps a fair bit. My favorite rock/pop/funk musicians are types that meticulously craft their songs, but manage to add that rock n' roll edge that suggests that it might all fall apart at any moment (think Richard Thompson to Lindsey Buckingham to Kid Creole). That tension is a real trick to pull off and the studio records only hint at the potential of a live performance where (for one thing) solos are extended and song structures break down.

These bands tend to emphasize the potential for chaos when playing live (relative to their studio recordings). For me, the trade-off in SQ is a small price to pay. But I do agree, the SQ is almost always a bummer.

Marty
I like them both for what they were intended to be. Think Sarah Mclachlan Surfaceing & Mirrorball. You can feel the artist thriving on the crowd response during the Live performance while the studio sessions are so technically wonderful. Eric Clapton Unplugged! Neil Young Live at Massey Hall! Don't get me started on all the live jazz I own. One of Harry Pearson's (TAS editor) best sounding, most recommended recordings is the live album "Jazz at the Pawn Shop". Both types of performance are entertaining.
Studio over live all ways.

I buy live music for the "many" variations the artist comes up with during a performance, not for it's sound quality. Some performances are better than others.

You can tell an artists commitment to their music by how well/often the play live. One of the best live rock performers is JAY FARRAR. His studio and live recording are exemplary.