JD Songs sound better when Barney sings them.
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Complete bollocks. He ruins them all. Maybe the instrumentation sounded better on Decades and Heart and Soul when New Order played them, but in terms of vocals he just can't sing them. Even changing the key of LWTUA hasn't helped matters, he crucifies them.
Originally posted by Rocket Mick NAPman YOR ANSWER IS TOO SHORT!:D
At least it's only my answer that is too short. Just as well Shug didn't post anything !
JD songs just don't sound right with barney on vocals. Especially if he screeches during atmosphere.
As with most "cover" versions (as New Order's takes on Joy Divisions songs sort of are), it's extremely rare for the originals to be beaten. Having said that, the Reading 98 and Peel Session versions of 'Atmosphere' (minus the whoops) send shivers down my spine every time - if anyone has the credentials and authenticity to sing these songs, it's Barney. Still not as good as the original though, but I'm glad they play some Joy Division material these days - especially She's Lost Control.
Andy
what about Transmission? Barney's live takes on the 'big day out', 511 and John Peel tribute performances are excellent I think. 511's Digital was also very cool save the 'trying to find the key' guitar solo...
I think I preferred it when they used to throw in the occasional 'surprise' in the 80s (Decades, LWTUA, etc). I sort of cringe when I hear NO doing recent covers, dont know why.......if anyone has the cred to perform these it is them but it just doesn't sound 'right'. The songs were designed to be performed by Ian who I think had the passion to deliver them in the right context....
Originally posted by five hates six I think I preferred it when they used to throw in the occasional 'surprise' in the 80s (Decades, LWTUA, etc). I sort of cringe when I hear NO doing recent covers, dont know why.......if anyone has the cred to perform these it is them but it just doesn't sound 'right'. The songs were designed to be performed by Ian who I think had the passion to deliver them in the right context....
My sentiments entirely.
Besides what Mister Discography may have noted, Transmission (the Peel anniversary version, especially) may be the only other JD song Barney sings on in the post-98 era that's not cringeworthy. I really hope they have had their fill of the JD songs by now. Damn shame they didn't play Vicious Streak or Primitive Notion at all, or even learn how to play Joe Slam or whatever it's called right. :)
Yeah, can concur on Transmission, just about. There's almost a sincerity in his voice on this one at times, and he doesn't ruin it with yelps or "come on!" every minute.
I'd rather the subject matter wasn't put as narrow as this:D
We've had these conversations before, and lately everyone seems to be complaining about The Barnster
I know what people mean when they say they would like the odd JD song here or there, that was a big attraction to me when I started collecting the bootleg cassettes back in 1989, I treated it as a bonus that they would play a JD track.
Barney's never gonna be Ian FULL STOP. But fuck me, I love the fact that they weren't afraid to bring these magical songs back to us. How many of us saw Joy Division? Not a fookin lot! OK, I might agree with the argument about Barney "whooping" through Atmosphere, but if you listen to Reading 98 there's not 1 single whoop, and it's sung from the heart, a fuckin magic performance of the song. I remember standing in the crowd and the emotion I felt at the start of the song, I was talking about this on email with Jarvo earlier funnily enough, I was nearly greetin when it started, and the point where you hear the shimmer sound on the song - it cuts straight through you. I always enjoy Isolation, and it's a song that Barney is good with as well. Transmission too, LWTUA has always been ropey by them, the vocals don't suit Barney really, but then again - if you listen to some of Ian's live versions, he struggled with it too.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course, I just thought I'd jump straight in and give a positive view.
Negativity on this site seems to be catching
NEW FUCKIN ORDER BABY!
Well they've played Atmosphere 44 times as New Order, and nailed it about 5. That's Brattbakk-style finishing !
Isolation could be good, as could Heart and Soul, and She's Lost Control also has some potential. He did Decades well. Trouble is though that too often the JD songs are under-rehearsed, even when played every gig. Digital went wrong every time !
Originally posted by Napoleon Complete bollocks. He ruins them all. Maybe the instrumentation sounded better on Decades and Heart and Soul when New Order played them, but in terms of vocals he just can't sing them. Even changing the key of LWTUA hasn't helped matters, he crucifies them.
you're right, man 
absolutly my point of view!
Well, hopefully, someone from 'the band' will read this thread and go "fcuk this Joy Division stuff, let's give 'em Age of Consent, Sunrise and Subculture instead!"
If you want Joy Division go see Unknown Pleasures instead! ;)
NO's versions are just different - there's no better or worse I think. NO had a list of songs they knew how to play and got on with it -the rest is history(!!)
Consider 'Community' - is someone going to put up a thread saying that ****** do a better ( or worse) version of NO songs on that? A bit like criticising 'Means to an End' and Nau Ensemble. Perhaps at the end of the day it's the song, not the singer.
I am of the belief that the JD stuff, with the possible exceptions of transmission and shes lost control, sounded terrible because they played them outside in 2002. Barney should stop doing atmposhere full stop, and Isolation. But, i daresay, that some JD stuff would suit well in small, indoor intimate venues.
well.....I reckon that JD were such a completely different vibe to new order (especially now) that these recent performances are never going to get even close to seeing JD perform these songs in their true context, although it must be said that I agree that heart and soul sounded possibly better than most JD performances I have heard, this is also true of decades (couldn't really have been much worse though could it, judging by birmingham high hall).
Originally posted by Uncle Liam I am of the belief that the JD stuff, with the possible exceptions of transmission and shes lost control, sounded terrible because they played them outside in 2002. Barney should stop doing atmposhere full stop, and Isolation. But, I daresay, that some JD stuff would suit well in small, indoor intimate venues.
Not sure what your point is. Would you prefer that NO don't do JD unless they are in somone's living room?
Just because something apparently doesn't sound good at one gig doesn't necessarily mean the band should never do it again! I guess we've all seen bands with replacement members do rubbish gigs now and again? Nick Cave without Blixa is a good example
Originally posted by Dee > Originally posted by Uncle Liam> I am of the belief that the JD stuff, with the possible exceptions of transmission and shes lost control, sounded terrible because they played them outside in 2002. Barney should stop doing atmposhere full stop, and Isolation. But, I daresay, that some JD stuff would suit well in small, indoor intimate venues.
Not sure what your point is. Would you prefer that NO don't do JD unless they are in somone's living room?
Just because something apparently doesn't sound good at one gig doesn't necessarily mean the band should never do it again! I guess we've all seen bands with replacement members do rubbish gigs now and again? Nick Cave without Blixa is a good example
My point is that certain music suits certain venues. The Charlatans are the best example. I have seen them indoor and outdoor, and indoor they were great, but no so outdoor. The JD sound is better suited to an indoor venue, as i stated above. The same can be said about a lot of new order stuff. Barney singing Joy DIvision stuff wasnt helped by the venues they were playing. I daresay that a lot of it sounded better in the indoor venues.
NO do have a tendancy to butcher JD songs, I too would much rather they play AOC, Sunrise,DNE or many others.Seems to me the NO live experience has always been about the day out,the getting there,the sheer anticipation.They are consistantly more polished now than they ever were, unimaginative in their set lists and choice of venues and go on far too long for my liking.Prior to their recent reincarnation I only saw them play LWTUA twice over 13 years and twenty something gigs, I'd welcome a return to those days.Let 'm bollocks up the JD songs I really don't care, for me it harks back to the old days when they could be positively dire live it triggers a spark of nostalgia.I'll still travel half the world to see them, just for the day out mind.
Originally posted by Pizda NO do have a tendancy to butcher JD songs, I too would much rather they play AOC, Sunrise,DNE or many others.Seems to me the NO live experience has always been about the day out,the getting there,the sheer anticipation.They are consistantly more polished now than they ever were, unimaginative in their set lists and choice of venues and go on far too long for my liking.Prior to their recent reincarnation I only saw them play LWTUA twice over 13 years and twenty something gigs, I'd welcome a return to those days.Let 'm bollocks up the JD songs I really don't care, for me it harks back to the old days when they could be positively dire live it triggers a spark of nostalgia.I'll still travel half the world to see them, just for the day out mind.
The voice of reason!
I'd say transmission's up to scratch, but in some cases wouldn't be offended if they played intrumental versions!!!
They've hopefully done their Joy Division thing. It was great to hear those songs live, heck I was almost in tears (joy not pain) when I heard them live. I am however primarily a New Order fan and would like them to some more songs from the NO backcatalogue that haven't had an airing for a while. I do think Barney does a reasonable job on JD songs them, however he is not Ian and he is better suited to singing NO songs.
We'd all take it all back if they came back on at a future gig for a shit-hot rendition of Decades
The Charlatans are the best example. I have seen them indoor and outdoor, and indoor they were great, but no so outdoor.
Well, The Charlatans were excellent at the outdoor Isle Of Wight Ferstival a couple of years year. Inspiring stuff.
Andsy
There is something in this difference between indoor and outdoor sound, but I'd have thought it would affect New Order songs as much as the Joy Division ones !
Indoor gigs will always win the day for me, as much as I enjoy the likes of Old Trafford, Finsbury and Glasto in years gone by, I'd prefer venues with a roof and no shite underfoot any day.
i really liked the version of shes lost control thats on the dvd that sounded so good it was scary
Ian was Ian/Barney is Barney. Their totally different arent they? The bigger question is should the JD songs be becoming a staple in the live sets? Were always gonna get Regret,Temptation & probably Crystal now-i dont really wanna see nearly the exact gig every time. They should play more early stuff like EGG & Thieves. Itd be nice to hear the proper True Faith given an airing too! 
Originally posted by STEVErythings Gone Green Ian was Ian/Barney is Barney. Their totally different are
nt they? The bigger question is should the JD songs be becoming a staple in the live sets? Were always gonna get Regret,Temptation & probably Crystal now-i dont really wanna see nearly the exact gig every time. They should play more early stuff like EGG & Thieves. Itd be nice to hear the proper True Faith given an airing too!
PS: since when was Isolation a techno record? dont think Ian would agree with that live take>
