Aquostic tracks better than the originals?

[Deleted]

Not sure if this has been covered before, but do the Aquostic albums actually improve on any of the originals? I'll kick it off with "Dear John".

[Quoincidence]

No, IMO they do nothing but destroy them

Far from stripped bare. Should have just been acoustic guitars, drums and piano when necessary.

No need for the strings, accordion etc... they tried, twice, and failed... twice

[mortified]

I'm not sure I'd say any 'improve' on the originals. Maybe Pictures of Matchstickmen. I never liked it first time round but I have played the Aquostic version constantly, including the 'London mix'. But I'd be in a minority there because the song is considered to be a pop classic. I appreciate that. 

However, I have found that I've been playing the Aquostic renditions of And Its Better Now, All The Reasons, Paper Plane and Hold You Back at the expense of the originals. Because I find them at least as good. Especially the first two. 

I'd probably add Love Of The Human Race. But then it wasn't brilliant in the first place. 

[snakelady]

There is no general answer IMO. Looking at individual songs, a few are indeed better (e.g. And It's Better Now), with many I do miss the instrumental parts, but nearly all of them are refreshingly different, the acoustic set is refreshingly different, and that makes a lot of the appeal of the whole acoustic project.
I mean I'd never have thought I'd get to hear Nanana live - fantastic ! And there's other's too and the gig doesn't even end with the BBJ snippet !

I've stopped listening to electric live recordings a long time ago, but I still love the Roundhouse recording (if not the hits at the end) - does that answer the question ?

[mortified]

Its interesting that a lot of us would cite a 'refreshing' element in relation to the Aquostic project, especially the first one. That certainly applies to the set list. But then many of those songs we find 'stale' weren't covered acoustically so the set was always going to be shaken up. 

Like you, I never thought I'd ever hear Reason For Living live! I'll be eternally grateful for that. 

I think the Aquostic thing is done now. It didn't have the legs, although you could hardly say that the gigs didn't go down well. Quite the opposite in fact.

I enjoyed it while it lasted. 

[snakelady]

Sadly that appears to be the case. Wish they had at least rescheduled the A2 tour, thus giving me a chance to see it . But with it having been a lot less popular (and commercially successful) than A1 the band seemed happy to forget about it.
On the other hand what did they expect, the way the release was handled ??

At least the Albert Hall gig was recorded. Now all we need is a release of the complete gig ..

[kursaal75]

Personally, I didn't think any of the tracks sounded better then the originals, but saying that I did enjoy the lush strings on Claudie, Rock 'Til You Drop and All The Reasons, live. Other tracks I thought worked well live were, Na Na Na, Burning Bridges, Rock And Roll, Reason For Living and Down The Dustpipe. After watching them twice at The Roundhouse 2014 & The Royal Albert Hall the following year I now find the studio album a bit flat, preferring the live performances.

[mortified]

I haven't played it in a wee while. But I played it loads when it was released. Well, most of it. After track 15 I sort of skipped to Don't Drive My Car and stopped there. 

Actually, there's a song that turned out better. I forgot. I think the Aquostic version improves on the original by quite a bit. 

[mortified]

Jun 29, 2018 6:06:56 GMT snakelady said:

Sadly that appears to be the case. Wish they had at least rescheduled the A2 tour, thus giving me a chance to see it . But with it having been a lot less popular (and commercially successful) than A1 the band seemed happy to forget about it.
On the other hand what did they expect, the way the release was handled ??

At least the Albert Hall gig was recorded. Now all we need is a release of the complete gig ..

They also only played 2 tracks from that second album (Hold You Back and That's A Fact) when promoting it. In fact, they played them both twice at Union Chapel as a rehearsal for the Hyde Park gig the next day. They since added Lies of course. Which was rather wonderful   

So like many previous Quo albums before it, most of the songs were ignored when it came to the set. 1+9+8+2 and Back To Back suffered similar fates. And If You Can't Stand The Heat wasn't far behind. Not an unusual scenario then. And I've become well used to it as a Quo fan 

[craydarr]

That's a Fact (Better)
Dear John (Just as Good but Different)
Nanana (Just as Good but Different)
And Its Better Now (Better)
Rain (Just as Good but Different)
POMM (Just as Good but Different)

[gav]

Better than the original, or which do we prefer to the originals?

In The Army Now manages to sound a bit more sad and lonely (is that someone playing a melodica in there?)
A Mess Of Blues (earthier than the original and with the only decent guitar solo over the 2 Aquostic albums. Could do without the accordian)

So, those two, but no others.

[snakelady]

Jun 29, 2018 10:44:53 GMT mortified said:

Jun 29, 2018 6:06:56 GMT snakelady said:

Sadly that appears to be the case. Wish they had at least rescheduled the A2 tour, thus giving me a chance to see it . But with it having been a lot less popular (and commercially successful) than A1 the band seemed happy to forget about it.
On the other hand what did they expect, the way the release was handled ??

At least the Albert Hall gig was recorded. Now all we need is a release of the complete gig ..

They also only played 2 tracks from that second album (Hold You Back and That's A Fact) when promoting it. In fact, they played them both twice at Union Chapel as a rehearsal for the Hyde Park gig the next day. They since added Lies of course. Which was rather wonderful   

So like many previous Quo albums before it, most of the songs were ignored when it came to the set. 1+9+8+2 and Back To Back suffered similar fates. And If You Can't Stand The Heat wasn't far behind. Not an unusual scenario then. And I've become well used to it as a Quo fan 

Two songs at one gig (Union Chapel doesn't count ..) - and the acoustic set at the Hyde Park gig did resemble the electric set as much as was possible. I'm sure nobody there noticed it may have contained content from another acoustic album. And, as we've come to expect, Francis didn't mention it either - same as on the electric winter tour that was to follow. So no, that wasn't promotion and no other promo was to follow. When Lies was added to the acoustic live set, the album release was long since history - at least in terms of the short-lived music business and didn't have any impact on sales figures. It nearly left the impression they wanted it to be a failure. 

I should've flown over for one of the gigs abroad .. I do like Barcelona .. but I didn't expect the whole tour here having to be cancelled. 

[mortified]

Jun 30, 2018 5:41:53 GMT snakelady said:

Jun 29, 2018 10:44:53 GMT mortified said:

They also only played 2 tracks from that second album (Hold You Back and That's A Fact) when promoting it. In fact, they played them both twice at Union Chapel as a rehearsal for the Hyde Park gig the next day. They since added Lies of course. Which was rather wonderful   

So like many previous Quo albums before it, most of the songs were ignored when it came to the set. 1+9+8+2 and Back To Back suffered similar fates. And If You Can't Stand The Heat wasn't far behind. Not an unusual scenario then. And I've become well used to it as a Quo fan 

Two songs at one gig (Union Chapel doesn't count ..) - and the acoustic set at the Hyde Park gig did resemble the electric set as much as was possible. I'm sure nobody there noticed it may have contained content from another acoustic album. And, as we've come to expect, Francis didn't mention it either - same as on the electric winter tour that was to follow. So no, that wasn't promotion and no other promo was to follow. When Lies was added to the acoustic live set, the album release was long since history - at least in terms of the short-lived music business and didn't have any impact on sales figures. It nearly left the impression they wanted it to be a failure. 

I should've flown over for one of the gigs abroad .. I do like Barcelona .. but I didn't expect the whole tour here having to be cancelled. 

I know what you mean but it was telling that they played two songs twice rather than four different songs once. 

Going back to the original topic, some are being put forward that I completely forgot about. A Mess Of Blues for example; the Aquostic version is miles better! 

[cammythemortonfan]

I so much prefer the acoustic version of And It’s Better Now.

I really love it , in fact.

I never really liked the Hello versio. ( sacrilege I know !!)

Just adore the harmonies on the chorus .

Interestingly I suspect Rick isn’t on this one- Francis harmonises with himself during gone verses at the point where Rick comes in live

[snakelady]

Jun 30, 2018 20:04:57 GMT cammythemortonfan said:

I so much prefer the acoustic version of And It’s Better Now.

I really love it , in fact.

I never really liked the Hello version. ( sacrilege I know !!)

Just adore the harmonies on the chorus .

Interestingly I suspect Rick isn’t on this one- Francis harmonises with himself during gone verses at the point where Rick comes in live

Absolutely agree about AIBN 

.. and yep, we've heard it before that Francis is the master of that (I just can't remember from whom - Paxo or Pip or John Eden even ?).
Maybe that's why the harmonies at the Roundhouse, where the others had to do them - mainly Rick, sound a bit shaky ..  ? .

All The Reasons is another one I considered one of the weakest songs on the original album, but has been improved acoustically, if not as much as AIBN.

I've got to admit I've forgotten how the A2 versions sound, so can't comment on them. I do remember Don't Drive My Car does sound different (same as ROLD), but that song is not improvable .

[mortified]

Jul 1, 2018 6:03:41 GMT snakelady said:

Jun 30, 2018 20:04:57 GMT cammythemortonfan said:

I so much prefer the acoustic version of And It’s Better Now.

I really love it , in fact.

I never really liked the Hello version. ( sacrilege I know !!)

Just adore the harmonies on the chorus .

Interestingly I suspect Rick isn’t on this one- Francis harmonises with himself during gone verses at the point where Rick comes in live

Absolutely agree about AIBN 

.. and yep, we've heard it before that Francis is the master of that (I just can't remember from whom - Paxo or Pip or John Eden even ?).
Maybe that's why the harmonies at the Roundhouse, where the others had to do them - mainly Rick, sound a bit shaky ..  ? .

All The Reasons is another one I considered one of the weakest songs on the original album, but has been improved acoustically, if not as much as AIBN.

I've got to admit I've forgotten how the A2 versions sound, so can't comment on them. I do remember Don't Drive My Car does sound different (same as ROLD), but that song is not improvable .

A1? 

[snakelady]

Jul 2, 2018 5:48:10 GMT mortified said:

Jul 1, 2018 6:03:41 GMT snakelady said:

Absolutely agree about AIBN 

.. and yep, we've heard it before that Francis is the master of that (I just can't remember from whom - Paxo or Pip or John Eden even ?).
Maybe that's why the harmonies at the Roundhouse, where the others had to do them - mainly Rick, sound a bit shaky ..  ? .

All The Reasons is another one I considered one of the weakest songs on the original album, but has been improved acoustically, if not as much as AIBN.

I've got to admit I've forgotten how the A2 versions sound, so can't comment on them. I do remember Don't Drive My Car does sound different (same as ROLD), but that song is not improvable .

A1? 

That's why I do remember - always skip it though.

[elvis57]

Jun 29, 2018 17:06:15 GMT craydarr said:

That's a Fact (Better)
Dear John (Just as Good but Different)
Nanana (Just as Good but Different)
And Its Better Now (Better)
Rain (Just as Good but Different)
POMM (Just as Good but Different)

While i don't really like the acoustic albums, this is a really good list of the best tracks

[snakelady]

This thread made me listen to A2 again recently, as I had forgotten how most versions actually sounded.

I noticed that the song order is a problem. The first few songs left me completely cold for some reason. I actually love the original That's A Fact version, so can't see the acoustic version as an improvement. And while some thought certainly has gone into the arrangements of e.g. ROLD, these simply came across as some intellectual exercise, but no emotions involved - if you understand what I mean ?

It got better later on. The newly written tunes are ok - mainly One Of Everything has a tendency to get stuck in my head. The songs I could enjoy were the ones where I had disliked the original. I think Bellavista Man is far better acoustically - the way they're using the girls at the end fits the song and Rick perfectly - and Backwater works well too (all I've ever loved from the original is the solo), as I very much prefer Rick's voice over Alan's.

Think I'll give it another spin ..

[mortified]

Jul 19, 2018 8:21:12 GMT snakelady said:

This thread made me listen to A2 again recently, as I had forgotten how most versions actually sounded.

I noticed that the song order is a problem. The first few songs left me completely cold for some reason. I actually love the original That's A Fact version, so can't see the acoustic version as an improvement. And while some thought certainly has gone into the arrangements of e.g. ROLD, these simply came across as some intellectual exercise, but no emotions involved - if you understand what I mean ?

It got better later on. The newly written tunes are ok - mainly One Of Everything has a tendency to get stuck in my head. The songs I could enjoy were the ones where I had disliked the original. I think Bellavista Man is far better acoustically - the way they're using the girls at the end fits the song and Rick perfectly - and Backwater works well too (all I've ever loved from the original is the solo), as I very much prefer Rick's voice over Alan's.

Think I'll give it another spin ..

Backwater is a personal favourite so although the Aquostic II version is OK, it's doesn't really come close for me. 

That's A Fact (the original) is also a fave of mine but I don't thing the newer version does it any harm. 

Interesting point about one or two coming across as an ''intellectual exercise''. I can sort of see where you're coming from with one or two. 

[snakelady]

Jul 19, 2018 8:38:36 GMT mortified said:

Jul 19, 2018 8:21:12 GMT snakelady said:

This thread made me listen to A2 again recently, as I had forgotten how most versions actually sounded.

I noticed that the song order is a problem. The first few songs left me completely cold for some reason. I actually love the original That's A Fact version, so can't see the acoustic version as an improvement. And while some thought certainly has gone into the arrangements of e.g. ROLD, these simply came across as some intellectual exercise, but no emotions involved - if you understand what I mean ?

It got better later on. The newly written tunes are ok - mainly One Of Everything has a tendency to get stuck in my head. The songs I could enjoy were the ones where I had disliked the original. I think Bellavista Man is far better acoustically - the way they're using the girls at the end fits the song and Rick perfectly - and Backwater works well too (all I've ever loved from the original is the solo), as I very much prefer Rick's voice over Alan's.

Think I'll give it another spin ..

Backwater is a personal favourite so although the Aquostic II version is OK, it's doesn't really come close for me. 

That's A Fact (the original) is also a fave of mine but I don't thing the newer version does it any harm. 

Interesting point about one or two coming across as an ''intellectual exercise''. I can sort of see where you're coming from with one or two. 

It dawned on me when I was thinking about why these A2 tracks left me cold despite them being 'creative'. I'm sure the band has worked thoroughly on them and probably enjoyed it too in a kind of 'what can we do with this ?' attitude. But the choice of songs was a given, they felt they had to do this, that and the other. Add the 'important' songs that had been missing from A1. Instead of going for the tunes they like - let the songs do the choosing so to speak - the way they had done with larger parts of A1 (Never would I've thought I'd ever hear Nanana again ..). There are a handful of those on A2 as well and they tend to be the better acoustic versions IMO. 

[mortified]

Jul 20, 2018 8:22:02 GMT snakelady said:

Jul 19, 2018 8:38:36 GMT mortified said:

Backwater is a personal favourite so although the Aquostic II version is OK, it's doesn't really come close for me. 

That's A Fact (the original) is also a fave of mine but I don't thing the newer version does it any harm. 

Interesting point about one or two coming across as an ''intellectual exercise''. I can sort of see where you're coming from with one or two. 

It dawned on me when I was thinking about why these A2 tracks left me cold despite them being 'creative'. I'm sure the band has worked thoroughly on them and probably enjoyed it too in a kind of 'what can we do with this ?' attitude. But the choice of songs was a given, they felt they had to do this, that and the other. Add the 'important' songs that had been missing from A1. Instead of going for the tunes they like - let the songs do the choosing so to speak - the way they had done with larger parts of A1 (Never would I've thought I'd ever hear Nanana again ..). There are a handful of those on A2 as well and they tend to be the better acoustic versions IMO. 

How did you get that wee 'female' symbol next to your profile thingy? I want one    Not female lest there be any misunderstanding about gender. I'm not relocating   
There are one or two interesting and slightly obscure choices on Aquostic II like Lover of the Human Race and Resurrection but I agree that they have tended to go with the safe and well known otherwise. Its less balanced than the first album in that respect. Well, the first half of that album at any rate. 

I still think it's a good enough album, though, but it had a very successful one to follow and the marketing was poor by comparison. Not a clue why. 

[frozenhero]

The song order on A2 is awful, particularly with regards to some of the best tracks only included on the deluxe edition!

I really like "And It's Better Now". And "A Mess of the Blues" really sounds far more organic now.

[mortified]

Jul 25, 2018 13:25:25 GMT frozenhero said:

The song order on A2 is awful, particularly with regards to some of the best tracks only included on the deluxe edition!

I really like "And It's Better Now". And "A Mess of the Blues" really sounds far more organic now.

Completely agree. And it goes some way to doing Elvis's version some justice. Quo's 1983 rendition was pretty awful and nothing more than a parody. Of themselves! 

[frozenhero]

Whoever gave Quo the green light to use a freaking Emulator anyway!