Reply To: Favorite Studio Recordings?
To un-derail this thread, I like many of the studio recordings as much as the live versions, and many of my top-rated songs I have never heard live (e.g. Furry Old Lobster, Octopus, That Spells DNA.) I believe some of the up-tempo songs like Shop Vac and Code Monkey benefit from a fuller arrangement, but the live show has more energy to it; as a result I end up preferring different versions depending on my mood.
When I was first deciding to buy some Coulton music, a friend said the live stuff was much better and that I should get "Best. Concert. Ever." I understand his point that some of the studio recordings sound a little clinical or flat, but I do not regret for one moment my decision to invest in the complete studio collection as well. Although his acoustic arrangements always sound good, the depth and variety of the studio arrangements are what truly impressed me.
Of course the original question was which recordings are my favourites, which I could not possibly say without listening to them again. Off the top of my head I will pick When You Go, So Far So Good, and You Could Be Her for vocal effects that do not translate to the live show; Someone Is Crazy and Madelaine for being great, energetic songs that I have never heard live; and any song which includes banjo or accordion.