Comparing the Rainbow shows

At some time in the past few days, I made a point to listen to the two different versions of "Liar" from the Rainbow Theatre shows in March and November 1974 for the purpose of comparing them and finding which one I liked better (setting aside the pitch corrections made in the studio). I decided that even with the missing lyric in the March version ("from Mars to Mercury"), I preferred it over the November version, as it seemed much more energetic. The rendition in November, even with its extended improvisation (e.g. the "Great King Rat" reference), seemed to drag a bit, especially in the intro.

So this got me thinking...what songs do you prefer from each of the Rainbow shows? I mean, of course, the songs that were played at both: "Father to Son", "Ogre Battle", "Son and Daughter", "White Queen", "Keep Yourself Alive", "Seven Seas of Rhye", "Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll", "Jailhouse Rock", and "Liar".

P.S. I am aware that the November release was a merge of the two nights' performances.

I prefer the March version of all the repeated songs. LOL

Yeah I agree!

March concert has a great guitar sound, November concert not so much. Just listen to the first guitar chord coming in on Rhye. It sounds great and heavy, on November gig Brian's sound is just wrong imo. By the way, was it ever established if they really played Fairy Feller during the March gig, or was it just some soundcheck/studio creation? Freddie's falsetto delivery on the 2nd line of the verse sounds highly suspicious to me.

Well there's folk who have posted here, claiming they knew of someone who caught the 74 tour and remember fairy feller being performed.

I prefer from

the March show: Father to Son, Seven Seas of Rhye, Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll, Jailhouse Rock.

the November show: White Queen, Keep Yourself Alive.

I really don't care: Ogre Battle, Son and Daughter, Liar.

I actually prefer November's show guitar sound.

Definitely prefer the March versions of most of the songs. As has been said, the guitar sound is better, the mix is much less muddy, Freddie goes for more high notes with a less strained approach, and the band seems to be more "on it" that night in general. And I completely agree with November's Liar being slightly sluggish.

March wins everything in my book.

When the guitar comes in, it sounds EXACTLY like Rebel Rebel that was actually in the charts at the time. Curious.

(on Fairy Feller BTW)

[QUOTE] [b]Biggus Dickus wrote:[/b]

March concert has a great guitar sound, November concert not so much. Just listen to the first guitar chord coming in on Rhye. It sounds great and heavy, on November gig Brian's sound is just wrong imo. By the way, was it ever established if they really played Fairy Feller during the March gig, or was it just some soundcheck/studio creation? Freddie's falsetto delivery on the 2nd line of the verse sounds highly suspicious to me.[/QUOTE]

Is that bit definitely Freddie, and not Roger caught somewhere between his low and high voices?

I suspect the same about Fairy Feller. Hell, there could even be an alternate take edited in there.

I prefer White Queen from November gig.
Quite a beautiful piano track.
It's not the same on any other date of White Queen. Or is it?

I gotta say White Queen from March gig is amazing. I mean, the notes that Freddie went for and Brian's unique solo.

March