I never thought it would end up like this!!

[Love Expresso]

A very early one is Southbound again, live very different from the album version. Very cool and energetic. Also the Live outro of Lions in the early years (not 1985) was a great change .

LE

[Robson]

The biggest transformation of songs from album to live performance was at Amsterdam, HMH in 2008 when we all heard Hillfarmer's Blues and Marbletown for the first time.  It was amazing!

In Boothbay Harbor in 2006 too 

[herlock]

A very early one is Southbound again, live very different from the album version. Very cool and energetic. Also the Live outro of Lions in the early years (not 1985) was a great change .

LE

Lions was not played in 1985.
If you mean 1980/81, the outro was not great, going nowhere, but the rest of the song was hugely transformed, the rythm was wanted, more up tempo, I love it...not as much as I love the 80/81 version of News, though, truly epic !

[Love Expresso]

You are right about 1985, sorry, mixed it up with Wild West End.

And I meant the 1979 live outro of Lions, Road to Philadelphia Bootleg style. 

LE

[dmg]

One Song at a Time is something that needs a mention here.  Just as Mark's getting into the groove and his guitar comes in at the end it fades out and we are left wondering...

Agree with Herlock on Postcards that during what was a rusty show they played probably the best version of that song.

LOG, It Never Rains and YLT never came close.  WII was disappointing.

Some were neither worse or better - just different.  I would agree with Pottel regarding SR and the great studio version, however I also love the OES version which cannot really be compared.

[localhero1986]

SAN is a song that I still prefer as studio song, the live versions are often too “busy”, missing the nice outro. Another song I was curious about was the Mist Covered Mountains. Glad they played in Cologne years and years ago but… it was kind of “edgy”. Can’t listen to that recording anymore. Not sure what Matt did there.

[Darling Pretty]

The biggest transformation of songs from album to live performance was at Amsterdam, HMH in 2008 when we all heard Hillfarmer's Blues and Marbletown for the first time.  It was amazing!

Yes. I was not there but I agree. It indeed was one of THE moments of his solo career.

LE

absolutely. 2008 had many highlights. That's why I call it the last tour which really caught me.
2010 back problems
2011 was tight
2013 was boring me
2015 was no highlight as well
2019 well at least some setlist changes

But 2008 was really stunning with Marbletown, Hillfarmers and Cannibals as an Opener

[herlock]

The biggest transformation of songs from album to live performance was at Amsterdam, HMH in 2008 when we all heard Hillfarmer's Blues and Marbletown for the first time.  It was amazing!

Yes. I was not there but I agree. It indeed was one of THE moments of his solo career.

LE

absolutely. 2008 had many highlights. That's why I call it the last tour which really caught me.
2010 back problems
2011 was tight
2013 was boring me
2015 was no highlight as well
2019 well at least some setlist changes

But 2008 was really stunning with Marbletown, Hillfarmers and Cannibals as an Opener

2010 back problems didn't prevent the playing to be great, better than 2008 I think...
And setlist changed were great as well, Border Reiver (much better than Canibals as an opener), Piper (the most touching since BIA), Coyote (lots of fun)...

[Lucas_99]

Not just the ending, but the whole new live-arrangement of One World 85 is awesome, putting the bridge of the song at the beginning and so on...
Does anybody know, who played bass on the studio version? Is that really John or someone else? Wondering for long time, bc in the live version, John plays it like he always plays

[superval99]

The biggest transformation of songs from album to live performance was at Amsterdam, HMH in 2008 when we all heard Hillfarmer's Blues and Marbletown for the first time.  It was amazing!

Yes. I was not there but I agree. It indeed was one of THE moments of his solo career.

LE

absolutely. 2008 had many highlights. That's why I call it the last tour which really caught me.
2010 back problems
2011 was tight
2013 was boring me
2015 was no highlight as well
2019 well at least some setlist changes

But 2008 was really stunning with Marbletown, Hillfarmers and Cannibals as an Opener

2010 back problems didn't prevent the playing to be great, better than 2008 I think...
And setlist changed were great as well, Border Reiver (much better than Canibals as an opener), Piper (the most touching since BIA), Coyote (lots of fun)...

I loved the 2010 tour - everything was played so well, despite MK's bad back.   I still listen to the recordings of the concerts I attended and enjoy them just as much every time.  Apart from the wonderful Coyote and Piper there were also some great performances of SOS, Speedway, Marbletown and TR too.
 

[Knopflerfan]

Just to add, TLWNF & Border Reiver - good/reasonable on their respective albums but absolute monsters live...
Sorry MBR doesn't cut it with me Album or Live...

Agree with dmg, OSAAT could of been amazing live....

[MagicElliott]

I’m so pleased this thread has taken off.
I must admit that although I meant it as what songs have got better live, it’s also interesting to see what has got worse live.

For me then, What It Is live doesn’t match the studio version. I’ve got a bit fed up with it live.

Regarding SOS live, my first tour was 2008 and so I’ve only seen it as a four piece. I’m not enough of a guitar player or MK nut to be able to tell the difference in his playing between 2008 and 2015 so have enjoyed all versions of it.

[Knopflerfan]

Also remember hearing the opening first few bars of IUTC on one of his Sig Strats at the RAH and it blew my mind!!

[Knopflerfan]

What it is 'Live' does seem to vary. Personally I like the early versions - The Beaulieu version (2002) is rather good....

[JF]

Not just the ending, but the whole new live-arrangement of One World 85 is awesome, putting the bridge of the song at the beginning and so on...
Does anybody know, who played bass on the studio version? Is that really John or someone else? Wondering for long time, bc in the live version, John plays it like he always plays

it's Tony Levin

and I guess it's Neil Jason on Why Worry