Alternate Versions

MEMORABLE LIVE PERFORMANCES: ALICE IN CHAINS WITH JAMES HETFIELD

The year is 2006 and Alice In Chains have begun their triumphant return. Getting out there and bringing the songs we all know and love back to life was one of those things that the universe got right. When this all started going again, you could tell that the fans were really glad to have Alice back. Granted the late Layne Staley was not a part of this but, William DuVall has truly shown he is up for the job and does a stellar job. During Alice In Chains summer festival run in Europe back in 2006, the band welcomed a very special guest to join them on stage for “Would?” That guest was the one and only James Hetfield of Metallica. This version of “Would?” is fantastic and will give you chills for sure. I still hope for the day we can get a Metallica and Alice In Chains tour! Can you imagine the how awesome that would be? I sure can! Enjoy this really memorable performance!!

Alice In Chains w/ James Hetfield- “Would?”:

ALTERNATE VERSIONS: STONE TEMPLE PILOTS- ATLANTA

Today would’ve been Scott Weiland’s 58th birthday. Scott was one of those talents that truly had a gift of song. The way he wrote lyrics, conjuring sweet melodies, and his performances, there was no denying Scott was one of the best. With it being Scott’s birthday, why not highlight one of my all time favorite Stone Temple Pilots songs, “Atlanta.” This song is absolutely divine. There’s moments throughout the song that makes it feel like The Doors are a part of the song. And I do LOVE The Doors. I still remember the first time I heard this song when I bought the CD and got it home. I wound up putting “Atlanta” on repeat for at least a good hour. It’s also one of the best ending the night songs as you pull into the garage or parking spot. STP has always had a knack for writing great songs with a vibe. “Atlanta” is a great example of that! Happy Birthday Scott!

Atlanta (Through The Eyes/Ears Of Robert, Dean and Eric):

Atlanta (Live On Craig Kilborn):

Atlanta (Acoustic Version):

Atlanta (Album Version):

ALTERNATE VERSIONS: INCUBUS- SICK SAD LITTLE WORLD (LIVE)

I’m not sure where or how Incubus popped in my head the other day. It was definitely out of nowhere and then suddenly I wound up with their song “Sick Sad Little World” playing in my head on repeat. I’ve always enjoyed this song. In fact I’d dare say it’s one of the best songs in the Incubus catalog. So, as it always tends to happen, I went down the rabbit hole of Incubus and remembered their captivating performance at Red Rocks in Colorado that happened during the A Crow Left Of The Murder tour cycle. This version of “Sick Sad Little World” is otherworldly and epic! The song is already epic by nature but with the extended version and added live goodies, it just makes the song so much better! Here’s to hoping Incubus can at least get back to this level on their upcoming new album!

Incubus- Sick Sad Little World (Live At Red Rocks / 2004):

ALTERNATE VERSIONS: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- BIRCH GROVE

It’s not a surprise to anyone that’s been reading Audioeclectica for a while that I’m a giant fan of The Smashing Pumpkins. Their catalog is one of my all time favorites and there’s always something new to discover among all the albums, b-sides, live versions and then some. During the pandemic, The Smashing Pumpkins released an album called CYR that is quite the under appreciated album in their repetoire. After countless listens and hearing a handful of these songs live, it became very apparent to me that I need to talk more about this underrated gem. One song that I really want to showcase is the song “Birch Grove.” This songs is quite a beautiful song. The version that I’m featuring was performed by Billy Corgan solo while a guest on the Howard Stern show. I love this song even more after hearing this version, so I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. And Happy Birthday WPC!

Birch Grove (Live On Howard Stern):





Alternate Versions: Helmet- I Know (Demo-Live)

2025 is the year Helmet’s album Betty turns 30. It gets crazier and crazier to me seeing all these album that as a young kid I listened to all the time. Betty is one of the best and underrated albums of the 1990’s. There has always been one song in particular on Betty that I’ve loved since first hearing it and that song is “I Know.” This song is so damn good. It’s got this great rhythm that drives it all and it hits like a sledgehammer through concrete walls. Then you add in the textured guitar part that gives you that moment of “oh shit.” And when you put it all together with the riff and vocals it just takes you to another world! The version you hear on the album is a bit different than the early versions of the song. Take a listen to both and see which one you like better! Enjoy!

Helmet- “I Know” (Demo Version- Live In Italy / 1993):


Helmet- “I Know” (Album Version):

Title Tracks: Tool- Lateralus

It’s been quite a while since I listened to Tool but, last night I was thinking something related to them and wound up putting Lateralus on for bed. As I listened and got to track 9, I remembered why I liked this album so much. I also believe that this was the last good thing they have put out in years (but that’s for another topic and another day). “Lateralus” was actually released as a single to radio in February of 2022 with a Radio Edit version that’s about 6 minutes long (5:47 to be exact). This is also the song most well known for using the Fibonacci sequence in its creation. I’ve also heard that this song is about an acid trip. Either way this song is awesome, epic and a phenomenal title track to a great album.

Tool- Lateralus (Album Version):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y7JG63IuaWs%3Fsi%3DCVT81Jef2P_0AnYe

Tool- Lateralus (Live 2014):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2Yz09lNrf7Q%3Fsi%3DRZecne0rGLjS5qEA

Alternate Versions: Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (LIVE)

I’ve been on a bit of a Led Zeppelin kick as of late. I found myself the other night putting all their albums on and just letting it all take me on a quite the musical trip. When I got to Physical Graffiti, there was one song in particular that hit at the right moment, and that song was “Ten Years Gone.” This song is an absolute gem in the Zeppelin catalog. It’s dark and sultry and full of great melody. “Ten Years Gone” is one of Jimmy Page’s epics. Interestingly, originally the song was meant to be an instrumental song. This song live goes to a whole other level. The alternate version that I have always dug comes from their 1979 concert at Knebworth. This would be one of the bands final concerts before the passing of the one and only John Bonham. This version particularly is quite simply superb.

Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (Live At Knebworth- 1979):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=o2AEnLAP9XY%3Fsi%3Dzhvzn2kdNOSo6_oR

Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (Album Version):
https://youtube.com/watch?v=DBzuYNK95sM%3Fsi%3DB3XTYA-rU13B-sDc

Deep Cuts: Nine Inch Nails- La Mer

My all time favorite album is The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails. It’s an absolute masterpiece and then some. Truly, it’s one of those albums that the more you listen, it always sounds impeccable. There are a batch of song I could focus on for this topic but, I thought I’d pin point one song that I’ve always had a deep admiration for and that song would be “La Mer” which can be found as Track 11 on Disc 1. “La Mer” is a really poignant song within the whole of The Fragile. The song itself was conceived during a very dark period in Trent’s life. While on stage in 2009 he disclosed that he had rented a house at the time of the making of The Fragile, on an ocean with the external intent to write some music, but in reality had contemplated suicide there. This song was the only song to come out of that time and place. He still feels strange playing it live because it serves as a reminder of this period. And each time it’s played live there is a feeling that sails from the stage to the audience that gives you chills when you least expect it. There are a few different versions of the song with each one giving you a bit of a different listening experience and vibe. I highly recommend checking the other ones out.

Nine Inch Nails- La Mer (Album Version):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dcIOInVS7jo%3Fsi%3DF-snkdQlgLxhfEJC

La Mer (Alternate Version found on Deviations I):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=vbjBRoizGgY%3Fsi%3DQTLPOZDAyao_g9Wb

La Mer (Jerome Dillon & Keith Hillebrandt Mix):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=KfGOxWYYEVY%3Fsi%3Dp-Aa36QfD48z_07k

Alternate Versions: Emma Ruth Rundle- Razor’s Edge (Live)

Emma Ruth Rundle has long been a favorite of mine. I’ll never forget the first time I heard that voice and the chills I got from what she was singing. From her time in Red Sparrows and Marriages, the collaboration with Thou and then to her solo work, there is no stopping this talent. I do remember when it all came to make sense to me and that was around the time of her album, On Dark Horses which features one of my all time favorite Emma songs (as well as my daughter’s) “Darkhorse.” Hearing that album and song was what did it for me. Fast forward to now and Emma is readying a new live release from the Roadburn Festival where she performed songs from her latest and breathtaking new album, Engine Of Hell. The first song being shared from the release (which is out on July 7th) is the ever cutting (pun totally intended), “Razor’s Edge.” This version of the song will give you chills in the best way possible along with all the feels in the right places. Speaking of the album, Rundle says; “Roadburn has been such an important place for me and my evolution as an artist. The opportunity to perform ‘Engine of Hell’ in full there in 2022 was the end of something… and the beginning of this whole new chapter in my life and art. I really do feel free in so many ways. I wanted to commemorate and honor the experience by making my ‘Live at Roadburn’ album my first self release in 13 years.  I will always treasure the Roadburn community” This release is definitely one of those that makes the songs come to life even more and it hits a bit differently as the raw factor is very prevalent throughout.

Emma Ruth Rundle- Razor’s Edge (Live At Roadburn 2022):

Track One: Soundgarden- Rusty Cage

It was announced yesterday that the members of Soundgarden and Chris Cornell’s widow have finally settled on an agreement to allow the release of the songs that Soundgarden were working on prior to Chris’s death. There are about 7 finished songs that will see the light of day in the near future. Which is very exciting as I remember a few interviews with Chris and Kim saying the new material was a bit more in line with some of their earlier work. That being said, naturally, I do what I usually do when I hear good news about a band I like a lot and I’ve been on a Soundgarden kick now. The first album I went for was Bad Motor Finger and when “Rusty Cage” began I knew I made the right choice. What a killer song to start off an album with. It’s a song with such groove and vibe that you wouldn’t be remiss if you played it again after it ended. That’s the making a great song! Interestingly, “Rusty Cage” was the third and final single released on the record. Chris you are very missed!


Soundgarden- Rusty Cage:

Alternate Version:

Soundgarden- Rusty Cage (Live Lollapalooza 1992):