To date I did not pay attention on the drumming for TR. Was too occuped with Mark during the end solo. Chad was great on it.
I love Terry's crash cymbals during the outro the Alchemy version
Almost iconic!
Alchemy is TR's reference version, I really cherish it, it is powerful, emotional, and we have it on Blu-Ray (the only one !).
Still it is not my absolute favourite. It is a bit too "rough" for my taste, and I would like some synth in the instrumental part after "3 lanes moving slow"... I think nothing can beat the 1996/2001/2005 versions, this was the pinacle of TR.
Next would be Alchemy, or the gorgeous first 1981 versions, so fresh...
The OES versions are getting on my nerve, fantastic end solo but all the rest is ruined, shortened intro, too much rush, horrible pedal steel, Kenny G guitar...
As for the 2008/2010/2013 versions, 'nuff said about the karaoke mode... even if I like the renewed energy of this year's end solo, Instanbul is quite awesome.
as for the "synth" atmosphere, I think that noone can't beat the studio version. It's of course the most produced, with so many guitars (7 ! check i there :
http://www.mk-guitar.com/gear-on-all-songs-for-all-albums-wiki/gear-on-album-love-over-gold/#Track%201%20-%20Telegraph%20road), gorgeous tone, ambient effects, and.. it doesn't end !
I love the intro beacuse it' so "envelopped" with strings, synths and so one.
as for live versions, I agree for 96 (I love RAH 23/05), but my fav is Alchemy I think, and I love 81 versions too.
about 91, I agree about shortened intro, and about pedal steel, BUT I like the sax solo, can't explain why, but I remember feelin very surprised when I it heard live. I found it sounds "romantic" like you said for TOL Munich 91, I find it "etheral", "aerian", and I find it fit to the song. But of course, I do love the guitar solo on other versions too.
And I love some licks on final solo (especially on basel or Nimes) that he never played again.
after 2008, I must admit I skip TR when I listen to bootlegs. Or sometimes, I have a short listen for the final solo. The show end (from SAN to last encore) doesnt' really bother me, as it is the same since 3 tours.
Endly, as for 2001 and 2005 versions, I heard it live, but don't really remember it. I know you often quote Lyon 2005. Funny, I was there, and I don't remember being impressed (well not much more than in 96). The only thing that surprised me was that I saw TR played on a red strat for the first time !