You can find the electric version of Oklahoma on the band's first record, "28 orange street" or you can find the slow acoustic version on bootlegs and mp3's. My favorite version is the acoustic from the John Anson Ford Theater in LA with They Might Be Giants.
There is at least one live version of Oklahoma available for download off of Mike's site. I am putting all of my live files up there, as well as all the Union Maid songs I grab.
Mini survey - Which version(s) do you prefer? I like the recorded version on the first album, and I love to hear it live and fast-paced, of course. I am thoroughly impressed by the slower rendition as well. That is really beautiful and makes the song sound so different.
My favorite is the very slow A&E version from the John Ford, but that probably has more to do with really enjoying myself that night overall than it does with the pace of the song. I do kind of prefer it slow, but... it's Oklahoma. It's all good.
Since I first heard the slow acoustic version at the Knitting Factory show in November, I have fallen in love with it and it's my favorite. I do adore the fastpaced version as well, but that live version was so beautiful and the whole vibe of the performance so intimate and perfect and blissful, that I can no longer look at the song the same way. I only wish I could get a recording of that version...but that's a whole long hissy fit that Kinny would slap me (once again) for, so we won't get into that. The things Adam said during that performance of it were so funny, especially when the sound guy came back in and Adam stopped and said "You freaked out there didn't ya? Thought we blew the whole system." Or something like that...I think it was a "you had to be there" kinda thing, but I'm sure you all can appreciate it and now I'm just babbling so I'll stop and Bye!
Robyn (no login)
Re: Question - Oklahoma
April 19 2003, 8:55 AM
Hey Dana or Hacker Groupie, is any of the Oklahoma MP3 on your Mike site the acoustic version?
I prefere the version on the bands first album, but I have never heard the acoustic version (bad spelling i think). Which is best because some say the album, but some say the acoustic. (i don't think that really made sense but...) thanks. xoxRachaelxox
Robyn (no login)
Re: Question - Oklahoma
April 19 2003, 12:29 PM
Just finished downloading the song and yes it's how I remember it, thank you Dana and Hacker Groupie for your site the music page makes things so much easier.
Oklahoma, fast, hilarious --- pay close attention to the verses and you'll understand all the giggles and laughter that show up on the recording too. And, it explains the improv on the end of the second verse.
"I only wish I could get a recording of that version...but that's a whole long hissy fit that Kinny would slap me (once again) for, so we won't get into that."
Well, considering it sounds like Justin's gearing up to release my recording to the world, I don't think I get a choice. He's not one to cut anything out just for my mental well-being, so I'll bet when you finally receive a copy, it'll be complete with a final track that includes some brilliant accompaniment by... you guessed it... ME. Lord, how mortifying.
