How do you feel about the new version of 'The Blues'?

[AxlsMainMan]

I still adore this song, but theres no denying that without Richard's intro at the start of the track, it takes alot longer to really pick up steam and leave you speechless...

There was just something about that opening riff that added so much more "edge" or "spice" to what is now a very mid-tempo ballad, and now the extended intro by Dizzy just doesn't do anything for me

[Mr.Intensity]

02 version owned my soul

[misterbrownstone]

to be honest, they keep getting worse.

the RIR version kicked ass, the 2002 version was great, and this one is...eh.  i miss Finck/Chard's guitar in the intro and the synths.

[erguevous]

Bumble on the acoustic ruins this song for me. I love the 02 version, and was pissed off that they changed it for the worse, in my opinion. I also think Madagascar isn't quite as good now. I just prey that Axl doesn't fuck up the studio versions by erasing Buckets parts.

you better get used to it - i'm sure the album version has an acoustic guitar track in there.

[Mobenrad]

I like the faster Rio version also, the bass is soooo great in that.

But the vocal performance at the House of BLues is unmatchable, it's great.

[WARose]

i really dig this version. look at the rating i gave the blues prior to these new shows......

i could never understand why that many people liked the 2002 soundboards....  the drums and axl`s voice sounded like shit for the most part on pittsburgh and boston. cleveland and nampa were quite good though..... but axl?s voice is SO much better now....

recordings i still love are vegas 01, osaka 02 and the two soundboards i mentioned earlier.

but on topic: richard`s work on the song in 2002 rocked, but the synth stuff destroyed everything for me..... it sounded way to cheesy to me...

[Mandy.]

I keep singing "Ok, nevermind" during The Blues, and he doesn't say that anymore 
Yesterday I was singing as loud as I could, and I shouted: "Ok, nevermind", but he didn't say that... Oops!

[Voodoochild]

I like the faster Rio version also, the bass is soooo great in that.

If you listen to RIR 2006 version, the bass line is still there.

[CAFC Nick]

Yeah i actually miss the synths in this song aswell...amazing i actually miss some work by Mr. GNR (Pittman)

[ppbebe]

Maybe I'm not entitled to say anything about this one as I'm yet to have much of an opinion of this song.
the 2002 version sounded complete as it was. a potential major hit with the general public but doesn't do much for me.

Personally I prefer the new version (esp the beginning) save for the bit voodoo mentioned.

[ppbebe]

i could never understand why that many people liked the 2002 soundboards....  the drums and axl`s voice sounded like shit for the most part on pittsburgh and boston. cleveland and nampa were quite good though..... but axl?s voice is SO much better now....

recordings i still love are vegas 01, osaka 02 and the two soundboards i mentioned earlier.

but on topic: richard`s work on the song in 2002 rocked, but the synth stuff destroyed everything for me..... it sounded way to cheesy to me...

To me as well. As much as I love chris's synth works, I don't like the one on the blues. Yeah as tothe synth, I prefer silkworms.
I agree the music on the osaka one sounds much interesting but I thought Axl's voice was bloody excellent on the blues throughout 02 tour.
I thought it would make "MY Way" of GNR.

[tHeElEcTrIcSiNtAr]

I like the 2006 version a lot. It took a couple listens because of the 2002 version, but now I like it A LOT. Especially the Budapest version.

[EccoTides]

It's alright. The '01 RIR3 version is still by far my fave - Upbeat ballad or mellow poprock song, it was a great fusion of styles.

[ROSE22]

the 2002 version is heads and tails better imo.

[bazgnr]

Pittsburgh was my favorite edition.

I second that.  I miss the guitar in the intro...

[Jim]

I keep singing "Ok, nevermind" during The Blues, and he doesn't say that anymore 
Yesterday I was singing as loud as I could, and I shouted: "Ok, nevermind", but he didn't say that... Oops!

You do know that he was talking to the sound guy, or some other fool, when he said that......

 

For me, I can't help but feel that the Rio version, the first one, is the closest to what the album version will be, or at least to what it was at any rate.

I'm not too bothered about any changes, I don't listen to the old new songs anyway..... I want those that are on the album to seem fresh, I think I killed them a bit.

[Berra_Volume]

Pittsburgh was my favorite edition.

I second that.  I miss the guitar in the intro...

Me too, it gave the intro more energy and then they took it down beatiful into the verse...

[AxlFink]

yeah the pittsburg was by far the best... there were some really cool keys in there.. i think its pittman.  I hope its in the final mix.

[You Gonna Eat That?]

I keep singing "Ok, nevermind" during The Blues, and he doesn't say that anymore?
Yesterday I was singing as loud as I could, and I shouted: "Ok, nevermind", but he didn't say that... Oops!

You do know that he was talking to the sound guy, or some other fool, when he said that......

 

Haha. Nah, it'll be on the album!

I hate this new version. It went from a masterpiece in 2002 to possibly becoming an REO Speedwagon type ballad. Only thing that saves it from that fate are the brilliant lyrics.

Oh man...truth.

Bring back the Towley-from-south-park style vocals and upbeat-ness. 

[Lionel Hutz]

My favourite version is the one from Las Vegas 01-01-01. Maybe this has to do with the recording of it though. I do, however, enjoy the synth parts that was added later on, so if those could be combined with the the faster tempo of the earlier versions, that'd be a keeper.