Obsession Of Vanity Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I'm not what I would call an expert on bootlegs at all, but I have/have had a shitton of them. That being said, I honestly can't recall a performance of Chinese Democracy the song that has ever struck me as being, rather, good. Great performances of Better, great performances of Shackler's or Street of Dreams, sure, but never Chinese Democracy. There's something about the voice Axl uses on the "even with an iron fist" parts of the song, that tends to not translate too well during certain bits.I've got favorite performances of mine of every song on CD (except Prostitute, obviously ) except this one and it's bothering me. It's been performed so many times, there's gotta be a standout one somewhere.So I guess that's my question. Anybody got a great or favorite performance of Chinese Democracy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnrjanus Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Rir Iii performance or boston 2002 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screamin' Demon Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) 08.17.02 Summer Sonic Festival, Chiba Marine Stadium, Chiba, Japan Monster performance, heavy and fresh, with lots of rasp. Edited March 17, 2014 by Screamin' Demon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amir Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I like this one: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 There is an expectional rendition of the song from the Hammerstein Ballroom bootlegs. Can't find the link right now but it's superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axl_morris Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) Nottingham 2012 is by far the best version... Edited March 17, 2014 by Axl_morris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maynard Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 It's a terrible overproduced pile of crap. The RIR 3 version is cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towelie Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I disagree. I think it's one of the most reliable New GNR tracks live, easy for Axl to sing and the band always kills it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novemberparadise23 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I always liked the 1st time they played it live at house of blues in 2001 I think it was. Just audio of it obviously but it sounded real aggressive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasteofammo Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) The demo was way better for sure from a studio standpoint just like catcher and others were. As far as live... RR3 was awesome and other than that, I don't think it should be a intro song bc Axl doesn't come right out screaming instead almost whispering into the mic. Edited March 17, 2014 by wasteofammo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axl_morris Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) You could be mine would be an epic opener. It has a long intro that builds up, pyro and Axl runs out. Perfect Edited March 17, 2014 by Axl_morris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novemberparadise23 Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Estranged Reality Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I'm not what I would call an expert on bootlegs at all, but I have/have had a shitton of them. That being said, I honestly can't recall a performance of Chinese Democracy the song that has ever struck me as being, rather, good. Great performances of Better, great performances of Shackler's or Street of Dreams, sure, but never Chinese Democracy. There's something about the voice Axl uses on the "even with an iron fist" parts of the song, that tends to not translate too well during certain bits.I've got favorite performances of mine of every song on CD (except Prostitute, obviously ) except this one and it's bothering me. It's been performed so many times, there's gotta be a standout one somewhere.So I guess that's my question. Anybody got a great or favorite performance of Chinese Democracy?It had kind of a simple grunge vibe when played at Rio 3.I think by '06 they'd transformed it into a more traditional GN'R track. It's kind of aggressive and riff-y and I like it. It's not their best tune or anything but it's a good straight-up rock tune, and I never really understood all the hate for it, except perhaps that the final studio track is a bit over-produced. But I've gotten used to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bumblefeet Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 The album version is the best. For the live performance, the intro is great but once the song starts, those first bars are always a bit of an anti-climax before the song really takes off. Bumble kills it live though! Personally, I wouldn't mind them leaving it off the program and playing Oh My God instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruno P. Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I'd like to hear Ashba doing the whole lead guitar. It'd be fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixes Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 it's good up until the outro...axl usually sounds horrible singing the last part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasted Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I love the intro, riff and first line. It's a great opener, a bit like its so easy but more like its so hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obsession Of Vanity Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 I'm not what I would call an expert on bootlegs at all, but I have/have had a shitton of them. That being said, I honestly can't recall a performance of Chinese Democracy the song that has ever struck me as being, rather, good. Great performances of Better, great performances of Shackler's or Street of Dreams, sure, but never Chinese Democracy. There's something about the voice Axl uses on the "even with an iron fist" parts of the song, that tends to not translate too well during certain bits.I've got favorite performances of mine of every song on CD (except Prostitute, obviously ) except this one and it's bothering me. It's been performed so many times, there's gotta be a standout one somewhere.So I guess that's my question. Anybody got a great or favorite performance of Chinese Democracy?It had kind of a simple grunge vibe when played at Rio 3.I think by '06 they'd transformed it into a more traditional GN'R track. It's kind of aggressive and riff-y and I like it. It's not their best tune or anything but it's a good straight-up rock tune, and I never really understood all the hate for it, except perhaps that the final studio track is a bit over-produced. But I've gotten used to it.And see, instrumentally, 2006 is probably my favorite rendition. It's weird, everyone always says Axl sounds different live and it's true. When I go to shows, one of my favorite songs of the night is always Chinese Democracy. But later, recordings are kinda iffy. It's never a BAD performance persay, just, not as good as I'd like it to be. People will always complain about CD being overproduced or whatever, but honestly, I like it that way. Every time I listen to the album on something new, be it a new stereo or new earphones, I almost always hear something new that I never noticed before. I think that's cool.08.17.02 Summer Sonic Festival, Chiba Marine Stadium, Chiba, Japan Monster performance, heavy and fresh, with lots of rasp.And BAM. That right there is fucking awesome. I don't know if any other could top it. Thanks, mate! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maynard Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 08.17.02 Summer Sonic Festival, Chiba Marine Stadium, Chiba, Japan Monster performance, heavy and fresh, with lots of rasp.Great version. Fucking awesome band! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I'm not what I would call an expert on bootlegs at all, but I have/have had a shitton of them. That being said, I honestly can't recall a performance of Chinese Democracy the song that has ever struck me as being, rather, good. Great performances of Better, great performances of Shackler's or Street of Dreams, sure, but never Chinese Democracy. There's something about the voice Axl uses on the "even with an iron fist" parts of the song, that tends to not translate too well during certain bits.I've got favorite performances of mine of every song on CD (except Prostitute, obviously ) except this one and it's bothering me. It's been performed so many times, there's gotta be a standout one somewhere.So I guess that's my question. Anybody got a great or favorite performance of Chinese Democracy?No matter how good the band sounds or how on-point your singer is, you can't mask a bad song. The one real boring, generic rock song on the album and it's the one Axl has chosen to really feature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obsession Of Vanity Posted March 17, 2014 Author Share Posted March 17, 2014 I'm not what I would call an expert on bootlegs at all, but I have/have had a shitton of them. That being said, I honestly can't recall a performance of Chinese Democracy the song that has ever struck me as being, rather, good. Great performances of Better, great performances of Shackler's or Street of Dreams, sure, but never Chinese Democracy. There's something about the voice Axl uses on the "even with an iron fist" parts of the song, that tends to not translate too well during certain bits.I've got favorite performances of mine of every song on CD (except Prostitute, obviously ) except this one and it's bothering me. It's been performed so many times, there's gotta be a standout one somewhere.So I guess that's my question. Anybody got a great or favorite performance of Chinese Democracy?No matter how good the band sounds or how on-point your singer is, you can't mask a bad song. The one real boring, generic rock song on the album and it's the one Axl has chosen to really feature.You're not wrong about masking a bad song, except CD isn't really what I'd call a bad song. It's nothing earth shattering or anything, but it's far from a bad song. Now, Shotgun Blues on the otherhand... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakey Styley Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Axl often sings it in this terrible, dying old man voice. That has to turn off any casual fan paying attention at a concert, like what the fuck.I LOVE the grungey version they played back in 01/02, with just the bassline and some Pitman noises during the verses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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