Songs whose live version you prefer over the studio version
Curious about this. To eliminate any pretext, limit responses to progressive music.
For the most part I tend to the studio recordings, preferring the attention to mastering and equalization etc... but can hear that live versions often capture lightning in a bottle, the band at their most energetic and responsive.
For instance, I prefer Siberian Khatru from Yessongs over the recorded version on CTTE. But I can't offer too many more examples, at least examples that I've listened to more often than the published tracks on the record.
Gates of Delirium from Relayer vice Yesshows is a toss-up. I think I've listened to both of them an equal amount of times and appreciate them separately.
I'm getting press from the Reddit community that the Seconds Out version of Supper's Ready is superior. I have heard it, but I did not realize any comparisons, and it was years ago.
I recently heard the live USA version of King Crimson's 21st Century Schizoid Man. THAT is certainly a contender.
Aquatarkus from ELPs live Welcome Back.. blows away the studio version on Tarkus.
I heard a live version of The Moody Blues' Gypsy (of a strange and distant time) performed, I believe at the Isle of Wight. It was almost Townsend quality guitar.
I could go on but you get the idea.