As great as Prince is live, I don't prefer Prince live over studio (when it comes to just listening, not watching the performance).

I usually don't like the arrangements he does... too many horns... not enough space in the music... it works great live, but I wouldn't just listen to it on a CD...

I think it has to do with the WOW effect you get live. I mean, say he recorded something live in the studio, then when you go see him live it probably won't be much better than the studio version and you wont have that "WOW THATS KILLS THE STUDIO VERSION" effect as much. Maybe not so much the WOW effect, maybe that's just the way he is. He does it one way in the studio on purpose, and then gets the band together and does it another way that sounds totally different live so the concert isn't just like listening to the cd over again just the addition of him standing there before you.

Some artists are very studio focused. This doesn't mean they can't do their thing live, but they are very much focused on getting the sound right on recordings. Then there are the artists that put their all in a live show. They make decent recordings but their live show is their bread and butter. P makes great recordings but he has focused much of his attention and energy on his live act. I once heard a member of James Brown's band say "James could have been better on stage." I was like WTF? Then he proceeded to say that James focused most of his attention on recording and everything had to be so tight in the studio to where James didn't get to put that much attention and energy
into his live shows. So James could have been better live! Anyway P grew up watching all the great showman even Elvis so I can see why he concentrates on his live act so much...

RealMusician said:

You can't hear a difference?

That sucks!

roanmairin said:

No, I'm not saying I don't hear a difference.

I was just wondering what specific differences Snap was referring to, so I could perhaps respond to that.