Hot Take: Choir Boy Liam > Raspy Liam. Live Forever Monnow Valley Version is PEAK.

Heya spacehey. First blog!! For those who don't know, the Monnow Valley sessions were Oasis's initial attempt to record their debut album, Definitely Maybe, before the whole thing was scrapped and re-recorded at Sawmills Studio.  

Moving on, yes, Live Forever, recorded at the Monnow Valley Studio, is miles better than the official studio album version. I hate to say it, but Liam's choir boy voice is so damn BEAUTIFUL. Especially on Monnow Valley's Cigarettes & Alcohol. I genuinely prefer it over his famous raspy-whiny vocals. To be honest, if he continued singing like a choir boy, he would not be as famous for his vocals. The good side is that his voice probably wouldn't have deteriorated that badly. His bad technique and vocal fatigue were definitely major factors in its decline, but I mean, my bro was a heavy drinker, smoker, and coke addict lol. His voice was bound to die out. 

I like how the drums come in later than the official song, and how it sounds a lot "chiller." I really wish the official version had pitch changes when Liam sang "garden" in "I said maybe I don't really wanna know/How your garden grows." It would have been my favourite on the album if it had been kept in!! (fyi, my fave Definitely Maybe song is Supersonic)

Even though I do enjoy the Monnow Valley versions of the songs (some more than the studio versions...obviously), I can definitely see why Noel found it buns and wanted a re-recording at Sawmills lmaoo. For example, Columbia would have never been the same if it had never been re-recorded </3 It would have been a major skip instead of the gem it is today.

🎧 Other Superior Demos from Definitely Maybe + Live Takes

1. Supersonic live MTV 1994, where the guitars are heavier, and you can clearly hear the backing guitars. No rasp from Liam 🙏 beautiful.

2. Up In The Sky Monnow Valley Version. This one shares the same sentiments as Live Forever Monnow Valley Version, except that this one should have been on the album instead (-_-). The guitars are better, and Liam's voice is actually not annoying in this version. I'm not joking LOL. Also, a big difference is that he doesn't sing the high note in "falling" and "crawling" in the lines "Before you start falling?" and "They don't hear you calling."

3. Sad Song Mauldeth Road West Demo Version. Okay, this one may have a lot some bias, but this one has choir boy Liam singing instead of Noel. And while I do love Noel's voice in songs like Don't Look Back In Anger, the chorus of Acquiesce, and Sunday Morning Call, Sad Song did not need it - sorry Noel :'). There's also an addition of that electric guitar that is just chef's kiss. Now it actually sounds like a sad song. This song's version is one of the few where I'm genuinely sad this didn't make it as an official B-side. Live Forever and Up In the Sky, I can deal with because the album version is good too, but Sad Song is one of my least favourites TT. Rare Noel L.

Note: There are some other superior live takes, but they show signs of early rasp, like Maine Road '96 and Knebworth, so I won't include them. Raspy Liam will get his own spotlight later (｡•̀ᴗ-).

Sooo yeah. Choir boy Liam is what makes the Monnow Valley Version of Live Forever better than the official album version. Plus, the chill and minimalist vibe of the instrumental ties it all together. Monnow’s take has less of that compressed wall-of-sound vibe. The guitars sound more like an open mic in a pub than a full-blown rock track. 

Everything just sounds a lot cleaner with the lack of distortion and the clear addition of the acoustic guitar. I'm pretty sure it's completely absent (or criminally quiet) in the official album version - just like Guigsy's bass </3 I swear I sometimes forget he's even in the band. 

I rest my case - Live Forever (Monnow Valley version) clears.

"This one's for the cat in the hat. Live forever, babe."

P.S. Raspy Liam gets a redemption arc.