Cat Power

Friday's Playlist - Songs That Sound Better Live

by Ciaran Thompson

May 21, 2010

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Judging by the weather, at least on this side of the country, the warm air has arrived to stay and the thought of summer festivals or listening to music live outdoors has come back proper. On our side of the border several big events will be happening including NXNE, Osheaga, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest and Hillside. To get back in tune with hearing the spontaneity that live performances encompass and maybe revive some of your old favourite live albums, this Friday’s playlist is a collection of remarkable live versions on songs. Not everyone had the pleasure of hearing these first hand, but them remaining after the fact speaks volumes.

The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army

Included in our Bands You Need To See Sober list, The White Stripes are difficult to ignore whether hearing them live or through your headphones. A wicked live take that gets the crowd moving from the get go. The band could quite possibly the best rock duo ever.

Queens of the Stone Age – Make It With Chu

We’re not sure when Queens of the Stone Age will release new material as singer Josh Homme is making the rounds with Them Crooked Vultures, although some festival dates this summer have been announced. In the meantime you can enjoy this live take of their heavy make out track off their latest album Era Vulgaris or bassist Michael Shuman’s new band Mini Mansions.

Pink Floyd Feat. Van Morrison – Comfortably Numb

If you’re lucky enough to hear this track live, you’ll probably be enjoying it stone sober and held in place by armed guards, which wouldn’t make you very lucky at all. Either way, it’s still a great version from Van the man and Pink Floyd.

Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone

This is the infamous “Judas” performance taken from Bob Dylan’s 1966 set at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England. He casually shrugs it off and turns to his band before launching in to a song that really made the crowd shut up. Play it fucking loud.

Neil Young – Don’t Let It Bring You Down

Another classic concert, Neil Young’s set at Massey Hall in 1971 is a must own for any fan of his music or for folks who dig inventive lyrics backed by a guitar and harmonica.

Radiohead – True Love Waits

This song never made it on to any of Radiohead’s studio albums, but was instead included on their live recording’s disc entitled I Might Be Wrong. Tracks off it were from the band’s tour of Europe and North America in 2001. Yorke performs this one solo with an acoustic guitar.

Nirvana – Lake Of Fire

Performed during their 1993 Unplugged in New York set with the brothers meat, that’s The Meat Puppets who were one of the special guests during the concert, Nirvana’s acoustic cover is one of the main highlights of the album.

Pearl Jam – Alive

It’s quite impressive Pearl Jam have managed to outlast many of the other early alternative rock acts that came out of the Pacific Northwest. And to this day it’s still exciting to hear them play one of their first and maybe best songs, “Alive.”

Flight of the Conchords – Most Beautiful Girl in the Room

New Zealanders Bret and Jermain are two funny guys. Despite their humorous and sometimes obnoxious lyrics, they keep it together and may be on the cusp of becoming their country’s third most popular folk parody duo.

Cat Power – Knocking on Heaven’s Door

It’s no secret miss Chan Marshall, a.k.a. Cat Power, is a fan of Bob Dylan’s music as she has covered countless songs of his. This take is very stripped down from the original version that appears on Dylan’s soundtrack album for Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid.

Tags: Music, News, Cat Power, neil young, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, Queens of the Stone Age, The White Stripes, Van Morrison

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