Live vs. recorded

Niacin,

Last count was app. 5,500 CDs and +/- 1,200 LPs.
The other four slots in the car get rotated every week or so, but I tend to be a tad obsessive about Buckingham.

Marty

Marty - you don't say !!!!!

I prefer live recordings. It shows the real talents of the performer(s) mistakes and all.
Take Taylor Swift. Sorry, she is not my cup of tea, but when she performed with Def Leppard with all of her off key singing and screaming it actually became one of my favorites.
Through the years I have recorded many live TV/Cable/Sat broadcasts onto DVD's and then to CD's and I quite enjoy them.
I agree though that many live recordings have sound quality problems and many were not recorded well.
But, there are some that really stand out.

It seems to me that studio recordings often suffer from being over-produced. On the other hand, live recordings often suffer from being under-produced. In light of that, my personal preference is for a studio recording that could be mistaken for a live recording or a live recording that could be mistaken for a studio recording.

IMO, live recordings sound best when they emulate studio recordings, i.e., when they pay attention to microphone placement, track cleanliness, and mixing precision. Conversely, studio recordings sound best when they emulate live recordings, i.e., when they pay attention to acoustical setting, performer interaction, and a feeling of improvisation.

The best live recordings give you the feeling that the musical event you are hearing is happening now, and will never happen again. The best studio recordings give you the feeling that you have the perfect seat for the musical event. To have both feelings at the same time is a special experience. Hence, I like studio recordings that sound live or live recordings that sound “studio.”

Bryon

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. For me, I find an emotional connection to live music that I don't always feel from studio recorded tracks, even very well recorded ones.

Oddly, many of the artists who are well known for the quality of their studio works are the ones I enjoy listening to live the most. Diana Krall, Ella, the Eagles, Springsteen, Niel Young, Lindsy Buckingham, Muddy Waters among others. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the studio versions these artist produce and listen to them often but, if given a choice I would listen to Niel Young sing "Helpless" on "The Last Waltz" vs "Deja Vu."