Some things I noticed from the NYC boot from the 15th

[Dont Try Me]

First of, great perfomances of Axl and the band. They sound great. The thing I want to go to with is topic is the following. We all know that Axl sounds much better now on the old songs then in 2002. His old rasp is coming back which is great. Mr. Brownstone, Knocking on Heavens Door. Out Ta Get Me etc. It's obvious Axl's voice is much more powerfull then it was back in 2002.

However, lets take a look at the new songs. You can tell Axl has a hard time singing The Blues, IRS, Better. I am wondering is that because the tuning of those new songs require more of his vocal capabilities? Guns tuning was in Es and the new songs in E mostly? His rasp on the old songs sound great, but on IRS and Better.......it sounds like he is in pain to pull those of. Anyone else noticed that? What if they played the new songs in a lower tuning? I think his voice will come out much much better on the new tunes if they did that?

So this topic isn't exactly a deadhorse topic but I think a very interesting one. I could be wrong tho, I'm no specialist. None the less Axl sounds fucking great!

[Tomorrows]

Its hard to say how effectively Axl is pulling off the new songs - we dont have any official versions to compare the live performances to.

I get what you mean, though. I think that the new songs seem to be less vocally ambitious than AFD, which is not to say they are bad or anything, but Axl's throat is not the monster it used to be. Still fucking good mind you.

And, he does sound better than 2002. And looks better. And the band is playing better. 

[AXL 20]

all the guitars were tuned to Eb (E flat) and now they are E?
That what you meant?
Im pretty sure they are still Eb.

[russtcb]

all the guitars were tuned to Eb (E flat) and now they are E?
That what you meant?
Im pretty sure they are still Eb.

I'm pretty sure you're correct on the tunings. I do know that the new songs are in the same key as the old ones for sure. I think he's just singing them different then he used to before thats all.

[Berra_Volume]

all the guitars were tuned to Eb (E flat) and now they are E?
That what you meant?
Im pretty sure they are still Eb.

I'm pretty sure you're correct on the tunings. I do know that the new songs are in the same key as the old ones for sure. I think he's just singing them different then he used to before thats all.

Yes, it?s still played in Eb.
I guess Better is played in a dropped-d tuning though...

[Alan]

better seems to be

eb
Bb
Gb
Db
Ab
Db

[DazRose85]

Yeah all Guns songs (I think) are tuned down by one fret.

[Berra_Volume]

better seems to be

eb
Bb
Gb
Db
Ab
Db

Yes, that?s the Dropped-D... 
I haven't seen any correct tabs of Better yet (even though I claim to know how to play it right I haven't corrected them...)     

[requiem156]

better seems to be

eb
Bb
Gb
Db
Ab
Db

Yes, that?s the Dropped-D...?
I haven't seen any correct tabs of Better yet (even though I claim to know how to play it right I haven't corrected them...)? ? ?

Well, to be precise, it's the dropped Db(enharmonic equivalent of C#), not D.

[padje]

Anyone noticed that during WTTJ Beta runs up and of the stage behind Axl to pick something up? Guess she's also his stagehand now...

[GnR-NOW]

I agree, Axl sounds much better then in 02 and the band is playing much better also. ?For the new songs, I think lyrically they are much more challenging the the old ones. ?But also Axl has been singing the old songs for over 15 years, where as the new stuff only a hand full of times, so I wouldnt be surprised if he is still trying to figure out at what part of the songs does he go all out or turn it back. ?Like on the live versions of WTTJ, he shrieks out LEARN TO LIVE LIKE AN ANIMAL, but in the studio version its just another verse. ?So hopefully when CD comes it will clear up any questions. ?I still thought the new stuff sounded great though.

[requiem156]

Regarding the new songs, and Axl's performance of them, a couple of thoughts:

1) The obvious- he does have a little more experience with the older songs live, so it's natural that his parts will be a little tighter on them.

2) As for as the new stuff being less ambitious than the older songs, I can't agree. The Blues is harder than any of the older stuff. The high notes are way up there, and it also requires a clean transition from low range to high, unlike older material like Mr. Brownstone, or It's So Easy which would allow him to sing in low range and high range alternately rather during the course of one phrase.

[Poof!]

I am a singer and I have to say that the  "I never wanted you to be so full of anger" part in Better is some of the highest, angriest and most ambitious vocal parts I've ever heard him sing. Those are notes he sometimes couldn't hit while singing the last two words on Perfect Crime back in '91-'92.

[Berra_Volume]

better seems to be

eb
Bb
Gb
Db
Ab
Db

Yes, that?s the Dropped-D... 
I haven't seen any correct tabs of Better yet (even though I claim to know how to play it right I haven't corrected them...)     

Well, to be precise, it's the dropped Db(enharmonic equivalent of C#), not D.

OK, you got me there...

[blaqktiger]

During 'Better' you can hear Axl say "Hey... Hey... Relax on that Shit" It's during the heavy part in the middle of the song. Is he saying it to one of the band?

[BLS-Pride]

During 'Better' you can hear Axl say "Hey... Hey... Relax on that Shit" It's during the heavy part in the middle of the song. Is he saying it to one of the band?

Prob the people in the pit.

[blaqktiger]

Yeah that's what I thought at first. then I wondered if someone in the band were over doing the heavy part as it sounded like he was talking directly to someone rather than the crowd.

[Jono]

According to gnrontour.com, Axl is saying it to the security personnel.

[pilferk]

During 'Better' you can hear Axl say "Hey... Hey... Relax on that Shit" It's during the heavy part in the middle of the song. Is he saying it to one of the band?

I was there.

He was talking to someone in security (bald guy, yellow shirt, standing just to the front and left of the "peninsula", if you were looking at it from the crowd) who was being a bit too enthusiastic pushing people back from the rail as Axl came out on the "peninsula" of the stage.

He said something like "Hey...Hey...Relax on that shit...let 'em get a look".? Something like that.

I was blown away that Axl would tell SECURITY to calm down.

[blaqktiger]

At least he didn't use his "Lame ass" catchphrase on them lol.