The Flashback: #4 - Street Of Dreams

[Spirit]

The Blues...

"I think you'll like this one" ? Axl's words before playing the song for the first time ever at the House of Blues in Vegas in 2001. People did like it, me included ? I loved it actually.

People were speculating in the direction of the sound of the music of the new GN'R, and I think many were pleasantly surprised when we learned that he decided to keep doing the piano ballads. "November Rain pt. 2" was the first thought that popped into my head first time hearing it. Now, it's not nearly as ambitious as November Rain, but that's rarely a bad thing.

There's been several versions of Street of Dreams (or The Blues as it was called for many years), some with much guitars, less guitars, more prominent synth, high tempo, slower tempo etc. etc.

The album version is good, I like it a lot. My favorite version is the 2002 one with the synth effects during the chorus, not sure why they decided to ditch that, loved it. Axl's vocals are ok/good on the song, my only "complaint" might be that he pushes his rasp a little too far in parts. He usually walks a fine line when balancing between the hard vocals and the soft music, and in this song I think he's over-doing it in some parts. Most of it is good though. No real complaints about that.

Guitar solo is simple but I think it fits the song nicely. I like the piano as well, Axl composes beautiful melodies.

I still listen to this song quite frequently, I think it's a great song.

[Sosso]

Yeah, the 2002 version was the best. And I miss the synth effects too.

[GnR-NOW]

I enjoyed the 2002 version, and the 2006 version that had more of a piano intro

[Bodhi]

This for me is hands down the closest song on "CD" that resembles an "old guns" song.  The solo sounds very modern to me too, which is something I like a lot.  I never understood the "November Rain 2" reference it used to get, the only things they had in common were Axl Rose on vocals and a piano, they sound like completely different songs to me.  This song didn't really break any new ground, but it was still a very good song, one of my top 5 on the record for sure.

The first time I heard this song was Rock N Rio 2001, and it was the bootleg I listened to for several years before the record came out.  I listened to that bootleg so much that every time I listen to the studio version I still expect to hear  "ok never mind!"

[D-GenerationX]

Much, much prefer the 2001/2002 version with the riff at the beginning.  Also think its just a snappier arrangement.  That's the one that makes my playlist.  RIR III or Boston.

Was still pretty happy with the version on the album.  And as others have said, this was one of the few I played for people that felt it sounded like GNR.

Only version I never really warmed to was that 2006/2007 live version with the totally muted intro.  Sounded pretty empty.  Would have liked the 2001/2002 version restored for the album, but what we got was a nice compromise between the two.

[LIGuns]

Love this song..What a relief hearing it at HOB 2000/2001, this showed Axl wasn't ditching his fastball......SOD/the Blues to me is the bastard child of November Rain and Breakdown...

[Gunner80]

The words are powerful in this song. Stand alone with out music.

[rebelhipi]

Not my favorite from the album, i still think its great, but this one has never hit me.

I dig the current 2009-2012 live version the most, its almost a hybrid between the 2002 and 2006 versions, and its the closest to the album version.

I really like the guitar solo, i like the tom tom roll and the end of the break that Frank does live, Brain did it too in 06 but it was often shorter. I also like the last part of the song, ''aaah aa aah aa aa''

First time i head the song must have been some time in late 05 early 06 the rio version, which i still dont like, both versions from  2001 are too fast and too synth heavy.

[HBK]

2002 Versi?n Usa Tour Is Epic

[Gavgnr]

I love the album version and it will ways have a special place in my heart.

Having said that, I'd love to hear a studio version with Fortus' two solos and the synth during the chorus' - these two elements gave the song a different feel imo. I'm guessing Axl felt that way too so took those elements out.

Beautiful track and one that evokes great feeling.

[Muerto]

By far my favorite song from Chinese Democracy !!! 

[LongGoneDay]

Great song. Probably my favorite on the album, though it?s a toss up with CITR.
The Blues is the song that got me really excited over the prospect of new material back then.
I?m not sure when I stumbled upon the live Philly version, but it had been a while since I?d heard an Axl original, and I played the fucking shit out of it.
Can?t say I wore it out. I do prefer the live versions to studio.

[jarmo]

Great song. Definitely is more "classic GN'R" than the previous tracks on the album.




/jarmo

[rebelhipi]

I remember the first time i gave Chinese a spin and street of dreams came... Its the blues
I had no clue

[nick6sic6]

I loved the Rio 2001 and one more live soundboard version (probably Boston 2002) of "The Blues" while being in the army.
There is also this fuckin' great classic song :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQvu5Eo7rKI

For me GN'R 's street of dreams is up there with this.

[draguns]

It's definitely one of my favorites on CD.