Anyone prefer the way the "new" songs were played back in '02?

[themovieaddict.com]

Except for Madagascar, and the intro to Chinese Democracy, I kind of miss the styles of the...err...new old songs. Comparing '06 to '02 you can definitely hear that Axl is easing back on the industrial stuff. I think part of it is Buckethead's absence. Chinese Democracy had a lot of weird synth effects back in '02 and a majority of them are gone now. The guitar solo for CD at Tacoma '02 was a real mind-f*ck, now a lot of the solos sound more like the old band. On one hand I'm totally glad Axl's voice is back to an extent but at the same time part of me really liked aspects of those songs back then.

Axl's vocals are far better on the "old" songs now but I also kind of preferred the "cleaner" voice on The Blues and a couple others in '02. When Axl uses his grit-voice on The Blues now it can be amazing at times but he also seems to shift back and forth and I think the song really seemed more emotional and powerful when it was cleaner. I was just listening to the outro at Tacoma and Dizzy or Pitman play these little synth loops that really highlight the outro and give it a more emotional feeling.

I'm not trying to be critical, just wondering if anyone else kind of misses some of the aspects of the songs from back then.

[Mikkamakka]

I liked the 'old' Blues better, especially the RIR3 performance. And CD was better with the insane BH solo.

[Wooody]

nah, I like chidem more now, especially the guitar intro, the only song I like more before was Madagascar but from Rock in Rio... and that was in 01 I think? ?I didnt like the way it was played in 02 and I dont like the way its been played in 06... idunno why....I would've loved to hear it on Rock Am Ring though...
Furthermore, I think the blues suffers from the raspy axl voice... clean vocals work best for that song..so In a way, the blues was better in 02..

[Mikkamakka]

nah, I like chidem more now, especially the guitar intro, the only song I like more before was Madagascar but from Rock in Rio... and that was in 01 I think? ?I didnt like the way it was played in 02 and I dont like the way its been played in 06... idunno why....I would've loved to hear it on Rock Am Ring though...
Furthermore, I think the blues suffers from the raspy axl voice... clean vocals work best for that song..so In a way, the blues was better in 02..

Yeah, Axl's clean and ultra-high voice shone on The Blues. RIR3's Blues was one of his best peformances ever.

[D]

The blues was 5 million times better in 02. That intro from RIR 3 is the most gorgeous unbelievable thing I have ever heard and Axl hasnt came close once in duplicating it as I now find the intro sucks.

The song had tempo and gave me chill bumps at RIR3 whereas I cant be bothered to even listen to a new version of it.

[zosobob6]

i like Chinese Democracy better now than before.   the Blues though....i have to go with the RIR3 version.  i love the slower version as well though.  thats why i hope we get that so called bonus disc with CD.  so maybe we can hear different versions of songs.  yeah i know.....wishful thinking.

[Melrose Chick]

No.... I love the way the songs are done now..........

[nesquick]

NO

All the songs sound better in 2006 without Buckethead. He ruined the GN'R sound. The best version of "the blues" is the Rio 2001 version, but BH didn't play on that song.
The 2002 GN'R version were too "metal", basically because Buckethead guitar tone is too loud for GN'R, he sounded like Slipknot, not like a Rock n' Roll guitar player. There were also too much keyboards effects in 2002, now in 2006 some songs sound more natural (the blues), less overproduced.

[Billo]

I also like the Blues RIO3 better but i also am getting used to the new Blues..LOve to hear Studio version...Awesome song either way.. Others dont bother me..there Awesome..

[Jim Bob]

NO

All the songs sound better without Buckethead. of course the best version of "the blues" is the Rio 2001 version, but BH didn't play on that song.
The 2002 GN'R version were too "metal", basically because Buckthead guitar tone is too loud for GN'R, it sounds like Slipknot, not like a Rock n' Roll band.

do you have any idea what you are talking about?   

[nesquick]

Yes, his guitar tone was too loud and his playing didn't fit with the Guns N' Roses style aswel. He made Guns N' Roses sound like a heavy/speed/shredd-metal band, not like a Rock band. Anyway he is gone and I hope he is forever. terrible, terrible player for a Rock band (even the RHCP didn't want him because his playing didn't fit the band too).

[daviebuckethead]

it wont really matter as bucketheads parts will be on the album y'know. i think the blues was good at RIR three. the intro where the power chords came crashing in was excellent although i thought the lead part over the top ws a tad retarded, but may sound good on the record.

as for cd, i've listened to a few versions on you tube from 2006 and the keyboardsa are still there! although bh's mental solo isn't, but i dont think thats a bad thing........but it will be on the record i would expect
 

[Jim Bob]

Buckethead does not sound like Slipknot 

On topic, I do prefer the 2002 version of The Blues with more guitar.   But CD and Madagascar I like better this year.

[jameslofton29]

The blues was 5 million times better in 02. That intro from RIR 3 is the most gorgeous unbelievable thing I have ever heard and Axl hasnt came close once in duplicating it as I now find the intro sucks.

The song had tempo and gave me chill bumps at RIR3 whereas I cant be bothered to even listen to a new version of it.

I agree. The Blues has dropped in quality. The 2002 version is one of my favorite songs of all time, while this new version is very forgettable. Obviosly the lyrics are incredible, but the quality of the music is now that of a piano pop ballad. I used to think The Blues would be a highlight of the album. I seriously doubt that now. CD was also better in 2002, although I do like this new intro. If BH was back, most of these songs would sound alot better, specifically Better and IRS. Maybe they could try Riyadh with him in the lineup.

NO

All the songs sound better without Buckethead. of course the best version of "the blues" is the Rio 2001 version, but BH didn't play on that song.
The 2002 GN'R version were too "metal", basically because Buckthead guitar tone is too loud for GN'R, it sounds like Slipknot, not like a Rock n' Roll band.

do you have any idea what you are talking about?   

No he's never known what he was talking about. All he does is bash Buckethead without even knowing anything about him or his music. You just have to do your best to ignore his psychobabble, although sometimes its hard.

[daviebuckethead]

ouch! 

[nesquick]

The blues was 5 million times better in 02. That intro from RIR 3 is the most gorgeous unbelievable thing I have ever heard and Axl hasnt came close once in duplicating it as I now find the intro sucks.

The song had tempo and gave me chill bumps at RIR3 whereas I cant be bothered to even listen to a new version of it.

I agree. The Blues has dropped in quality. The 2002 version is one of my favorite songs of all time, while this new version is very forgettable. Obviosly the lyrics are incredible, but the quality of the music is now that of a piano pop ballad. I used to think The Blues would be a highlight of the album. I seriously doubt that now. CD was also better in 2002, although I do like this new intro. If BH was back, most of these songs would sound alot better, specifically Better and IRS. Maybe they could try Riyadh with him in the lineup.

NO

All the songs sound better without Buckethead. of course the best version of "the blues" is the Rio 2001 version, but BH didn't play on that song.
The 2002 GN'R version were too "metal", basically because Buckthead guitar tone is too loud for GN'R, it sounds like Slipknot, not like a Rock n' Roll band.

do you have any idea what you are talking about?? ?

No he's never known what he was talking about. All he does is bash Buckethead without even knowing anything about him or his music. You just have to do your best to ignore his psychobabble, although sometimes its hard.

The Buckethead's groupie has just spoken.

[Jim Bob]

I'm no buckethead defender.  I think he's ok and all, but you dont see me singing his praises all the time (although I do like him better than bumblefoot, GNR could just be RObin and Richard on guitar for all I care).   but to say buckethead would belong in a band like slipknot is just completely ignorant.  clearly you've never actually listened to buckethead's stuff or slipknot.

[Janabis]

I thought The Blues was way better in '02. Axl's best vocal performances on that song were at the shows in Japan. Also, I really liked how the guitars came in all at once at the beginning rather than the really mellow piano intro that they switched over to in '06.

[Jim Bob]

I thought The Blues was way better in '02. Axl's best vocal performances on that song were at the shows in Japan. Also, I really liked how the guitars came in all at once at the beginning rather than the really mellow piano intro that they switched over to in '06.

yea i don't understand why they took out the guitar in the beginning.    but I think vocally Axl sounds better in 06.  so that kind of balances it out.

[jameslofton29]

yea i don't understand why they took out the guitar in the beginning.    but I think vocally Axl sounds better in 06.  so that kind of balances it out.

Out of the changes made to the 2002 songs, the change in The Blues was the most shocking. Why fuck with perfection? I hope the 2002 version eventually sees the light of day.