I agree totally about live renditions of 'Always.' The Live from London version is undoubtedly one of the best performances of any song I have seen taking into account that it remains powerful despite not seeing it live, which must have been amazing! However, saying that, I have also seen the Yokohama '96 bootleg and the song is awful! Maybe they had an 'off day' - I don't know, but I haven't heard a single version that captures the power of the Wembley '95 gig and therefore am not overly fussed at never having seen it performed at any shows I've been to.

BOR on the other hand I think is in a different league, along with IBTFY, when it comes to live shows, although this is also brought about by the fact that these two songs (barring the key change at the end of IBTFY which BJ have NEVER played live anyway) are a lot easier to sing whereas 'Always' really stretches the vocal chords to their limits even when transposed a half-step down for live gigs.

On the whole, I think the general trend is clear. All ballads after 'These Days' was released weren't scrutinised as thoroughly lyrically or musically before being given the all-clear. Laziness? Perhaps, but since 'These Days' IMO featured some of the best ballads (e.g. 'My Guitar Lies Bleeding' and 'Letting You Go'), I think they're still capable of reaching into their not too distant past and pulling out something as memorable for their newer stuff. Fingers crossed!