Looking for the live recording of the song The Freshmen.

August 26, 2010 8:21 PM

The first time I heard the song The Freshmen by the Verve Pipe, it was on the radio -- a live version in which the audience sang along. Anyone know where I can find that? All I can locate are studio recordings.
posted by governale to Media & Arts (11 answers total)

I remember that version too, but only heard it played on the radio in East Lansing, Michigan, in 1995 and honestly assumed it was a live recording from a station-sponsored local show. Maybe check through the discography here?
posted by Miko at 8:38 PM on August 26, 2010

You're not the only one that heard it. Radio station I listened to in Louisville played it late 90's, early 00's.
posted by deezil at 8:42 PM on August 26, 2010

Griff from The Verve Pipe now teaches harmonica at Elderly Instruments in Lansing (I happen to know this because I saw a flyer at the car wash the other day). His email address is here. He might know more about that specific recording.
posted by not that girl at 9:19 PM on August 26, 2010

Or maybe not--I know next-to-nothing about The Verve Pipe, and browsing Miko's link see that this Griff person is a new member of the band, not around in the old days. So that is perhaps not so helpful. Sorry.
posted by not that girl at 9:24 PM on August 26, 2010

Best answer: I have this song. Or another live version. There is audience noise and they sing along at some points. Mail me with your email address or msn/aim/yahoo im handle and I'll share.
posted by MrFish at 9:28 PM on August 26, 2010

theres a bunch on youtube - this particular one has tinny audio though
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpCe7JcQ0mE&feature=related

just search "the freshman live"
posted by glenno86 at 4:59 AM on August 27, 2010

even better one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm7iOrKzM8k
posted by glenno86 at 5:03 AM on August 27, 2010

Response by poster: Miko and deezil,

I heard the live version up here in Maine. It played fairly regularly at the time -- 1996?

glenno86,

Thanks. The YouTube live vids are entertaining. But I'd like to get the clean, powerful one I heard, rather than fan-filmed ones.

MrFish, I sent you my email. Anxious to hear what you've got.

Thanks, all, for your interest and help.
posted by governale at 5:29 AM on August 27, 2010

There's a live, acoustic version on the rare release "85 on 31", but it's the quietest audience you ever heard at a Verve Pipe show - and I've been to a few. Looking on the iTunes music store, there's also what sounds like another similar version on a Brian Vander Ark solo live album.
posted by dbiedny at 6:13 AM on August 27, 2010

I'm 75% positive I have this. If MrFish doesn't work out, send me a message and I'll look through my music when I get home. I don't remember hearing any audience when I've listened to the song, but I could always be wrong.
posted by good day merlock at 8:25 AM on August 27, 2010

Response by poster: Mrfish is the man. Or fish. Either way, he had the version I remembered.

Anyone else who's interested, contact me and I'll pass it on.
posted by governale at 9:11 AM on August 27, 2010