It was revealed today that The Clash’s Train In Vain will be available as downloadable content in Rock Band. The article went on to include a YouTube link to a live performance of the song. Now, Train in Vain is probably in my top ten songs of all time, and has been ever since it was included as a unlisted track on The Clash’s 1979 London Calling album. Having said that, most live performances of it just leave me wanting. I dont know if its because the band were usually trashed when playing or having heard the studio version a bajillion times that the tune is scarred into me, but for this track, give me the studio.
Having said that though, there are definitely some songs that I have heard live and appreciate them for what they are: a version of the original, much like a cover song. Case in point – The Breeders. They performed Happiness is a Warm Gun, which they originally covered on their 1990 album Pod, at the Coachella music fest. The studio version was great. Instead of jumping from musical style to musical style like the original, it was delivered in a single, unique, and noisy manner. The live version, which was a bit lighter also sounded great
Or Daft Punk. Sure, they are an electronic act, but their live shows when they mix their tracks on the fly are awesome. In fact, I like the Alive album as much if not more than the studio cuts
Then there are the live tracks which define the way I hear a song. Take Johnny Cash’s Live at Folsom Prison. To me, thats the way Cocaine Blues, Dark As A Dungeon, or Folsom Prison Blues need to sound
But seriously, I never want to hear Train In Vain live again.