| Holly2003 29.10.2009 17:16 |
Never read much about this on Queenzone, or anywhere else, so here goes... Okay, obviously this session wasn't set up as a competition, but it's hard not to compare the two guitarists. In my view Eddie plays Brian 'off the stage' -- his playing is smoother, more melodic, rocks harder, and sounds better than Brian's. Not only that, but the Red Special sounds thin and weedy compared to Eddie's Kramer, which has a super-metallic industrial sound that rocks hard. Not Brian's finest hour, but few people sound good beside Eddie. |
| Arnaldo "Ogre-" Silveira 29.10.2009 18:38 |
Interesting to hear that. I always had the exact opposite opinion. I even thought about Eddie not pushing to hard because it was Brian's project. I may be biased, of course. :) I also remember that the biggest selling Brazilian rock magazine of those days (SomTres) had an article saying Brian kicked Eddie's ass. Interestingly enough (for Brazilian fans at least) the article was written by a Paulo Ricardo Medeiros, who then went on a very successfull carreer as singer and bass player of the most popular Brazilian band of the 80's, RPM. He then went on a solo carreer and recorded Love of My Life in Portuguese and Spanish. Mmmm maybe he was biased as well. ;) I digress. Cheers, Ogre- |
| philip storey 30.10.2009 06:14 |
Hi ,i had the record which i sold a few years back,it was pretty forgetable.However there was one great track on it which i think was called "Let me out."Anybody remember who the other guys were that played on that record? |
| john bodega 30.10.2009 06:31 |
That is so bizarre - I always thought Eddie's guitar tone sounded utterly tedious on those tracks. |
| Dane 30.10.2009 07:04 |
I think they both excell in their own rite. They both have a different approach to music, especially jamming. So one is not the other. Any chance of hearing a blues jam featuring Brian will be a joy to listen to. Are there any more? i.e. Cozy Powell sessions are nice, but not that bluesey. Cheers PS: Innuendo just started on the radio.... nice |
| Sheer Brass Neck 30.10.2009 07:54 |
On drums was Alan Gratzer from REO Speedwagon, Fred Mandel on keys, and Phillip Chen, from Rod Stewart's touring band on bass. |
| PauloPanucci 30.10.2009 12:39 |
Arnaldo "Ogre-" Silveira wrote: Interesting to hear that. I always had the exact opposite opinion. I even thought about Eddie not pushing to hard because it was Brian's project. I may be biased, of course. :) I also remember that the biggest selling Brazilian rock magazine of those days (SomTres) had an article saying Brian kicked Eddie's ass. Interestingly enough (for Brazilian fans at least) the article was written by a Paulo Ricardo Medeiros, who then went on a very successfull carreer as singer and bass player of the most popular Brazilian band of the 80's, RPM. He then went on a solo carreer and recorded Love of My Life in Portuguese and Spanish. Mmmm maybe he was biased as well. ;) I digress. Cheers, Ogre-yes, i remember read this article! interesting the part of Brian kicked Eddie's ass! For brazilian people it was very interesting, and become more succefull when Paulo Ricardo start his success carreer! |
| Holly2003 31.10.2009 13:46 |
Reviews from the era weren't that hot. I recall one reviewer saying that Brian had been caught "with his trousers down", and that there was very little of the blues in Blues Breaker. Whatever, I don't think Brian sounds much like Brian on this, and (aside from the main track) the project is not very innovative or interesting. For a "guitar god" (and that's what he was to me back then) I recall being very disappointed. |
| Dane 02.11.2009 04:49 |
Most guitarist at one point go off and record a roots album (or EP) that in most cases is blues. Blues in itself is not a very inovative style, but it is a joy to play. So I think SFP was more for them then for us, the fans. |
| john bodega 02.11.2009 06:53 |
I remember hearing that Eric Clapton didn't think very highly of it. (shrugs) |
| FriedChicken 03.11.2009 07:21 |
Was that after or before Eric Clapton was busy making money out of his dead kid? |
| john bodega 03.11.2009 10:11 |
Indeed, he wrote an obscure track called "My Friend Kevin" and he didn't think it would sell many copies so he did what he had to .... and then he renamed the track "Tears in Heaven" .... whaddya know. Chart success. |
| Holly2003 03.11.2009 13:31 |
FriedChicken wrote: Was that after or before Eric Clapton was busy making money out of his dead kid? I would guess you have no kids of your own? That's a low and uncalled for comment. Anyway, back on topic, Clapton is right. Blues Breaker has no soul. |
| cacatua 04.11.2009 15:35 |
I went to some trouble to get the two CD's of these recordings after reading a very nice review of them from Georg Purvis in Queen, Complete Works. I ended up ordering them from the UK. I have enjoyed them. You are quite the pack of jackels the way you tear something apart here, and sometimes it is just damned annoying, though I guess you have a right to your opinions. As to the Eric Clapton comment, about him changing his song from one thing to another, I seem to remember Elton John doing the same thing with A Candle in the Wind, which was originally written for a little boy who died after courageously fighting a long illness (AIDS I think), and then revamped after Princess Diana's untimely death. |
| ludwigs 04.11.2009 16:45 |
I like Bluesbreaker on the whole! Has no soul? Hmm....is this pure mojo bullcrap? I think so. I have never liked EC and found his God like status somewhat exaggerated! I have lisetened very closely to all his stuff. I prefered Cream but.....I also don't concur with the whole pseudo-crap that to be a good guitarist then you must like Crapton, Page, Hendrix etc etc..... Stereo-typical concensus! It just seems an inherent delusion that to be a 'player' or a 'learned' player then you must have a whole catalogue of Crapton and all that stupid mojo vibe etc? There have been, and are much more diverse, and BETTER players who haven't had the limelight of the said guys. I did prefer BM's playing on this as it just seemed to have a better vibe about it compared to Ed's almost harsh-sounding(tonally) bits. Some of the BM licks (albeit slower) showed a better understanding of phrasing and fitting in to the piece. EVH was (even though not sensationally wanking) was quite good but in retrospect.....nothing exceptional!!!! His apparent 'brown tone' was harsh and not at all warm. BM DID play better. Faster doesn't mean better (think Crapton!!!) The sound BM achieved IS (amongst RS anoraks) a cracking sound. The guitar ...works.....his fingers have feeling and ....just so much better!! This place is very very amusing![img=/images/smiley/msn/whatchutalkingabout_smile.gif][/img] |
| cacatua 04.11.2009 17:00 |
Brian performing Let Me Out at the Live In Montreux Jazz Festival, '01: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGSOLRpx7LY&feature=player_embedded He seems to be having a great time. |
| Holly2003 04.11.2009 18:14 |
You make a lot of assumptions based on one or two of my comments. Where did I say that fast equals good? Or that only Clapton-style playing is good? Neither EVH or BM are great here, but IMO EVH is a lot more comfortable jamming than Brian, and his guitar on Blues Breaker sounds better than the rather weedy sound Brian gets out of the Red Special. And btw, just because a number of RS owners like that particular sound, doesn't mean it sounds particularly good. That's like saying Yamaha motorbikes are better than Kawasaki motorbikes because a bunch of Yamaha owners think so. Anyway, you';re entitled to your opinion, as am I: I think EVH wins hands down, but neither of them demostrate a lot of 'soul' in Blues Breaker. Star Fleet is a little better, and it at least sounds like Brian a bit. Let Me Out is cliched and dull, which is probably why it never made it onto a Queen album (unlike, say, Sleepin on the Sidewalk). |
| cacatua 04.11.2009 18:41 |
Holly2003 wrote: You make a lot of assumptions based on one or two of my comments. Where did I say that fast equals good? Or that only Clapton-style playing is good? Neither EVH or BM are great here, but IMO EVH is a lot more comfortable jamming than Brian, and his guitar on Blues Breaker sounds better than the rather weedy sound Brian gets out of the Red Special. And btw, just because a number of RS owners like that particular sound, doesn't mean it sounds particularly good. That's like saying Yamaha motorbikes are better than Kawasaki motorbikes because a bunch of Yamaha owners think so. Anyway, you';re entitled to your opinion, as am I: I think EVH wins hands down, but neither of them demostrate a lot of 'soul' in Blues Breaker. Star Fleet is a little better, and it at least sounds like Brian a bit. Let Me Out is cliched and dull, which is probably why it never made it onto a Queen album (unlike, say, Sleepin on the Sidewalk). INHO you are full of crap. I got the CD out this afternoon and have been listening to it, and it is relaxed and enjoyable on the part of all concerned. Why do you all insist on turning it into rocket science? There used to be a link to an interview with Brian on the Queenzone homepage where he talked about the Star Fleet project and he told about how he lost an amp during it and Eddie broke a string and they left everything in it as the whole thing was an informal jam session. Sometimes this place just seems like a Rag-On-Brian forum and you all sound like a bunch of spoiled brats. |
| doxonrox 04.11.2009 20:56 |
QZ cat fight!!!! Yeah, I heard the Clapton quote too. Although I've got news for EC - that track is better a few hundred of his! I also read that Eddie was pissed (US pissed, not UK drunk pissed) that Brian released it. Supposedly it was just supposed to be a jam, and Eddie didn't want it to see the light of day. Don't know if it's true, but after hearing it, I understand if it is. As for who beats who - I prefer Brians approach and can hear past the fact that he didn't have 9 AC30's in the room. However, a young millionaire Cali stoner and a filthy rich Brit physicist isn't where I go to hear the blues! Going to put on some Stevie Ray right now... |
| mandocello 04.11.2009 21:35 |
I have a Guitar World issue from 1989/1990 where Eddie Van Halen said, "...like that thing I did with Brian May. It wasn't very good, but it was fun." A few years later, I think he did another interview with Sammy Hagar and it came up for some reason - I think Eddie said he wasn't aware about "Bluesbreaker" being some kind of tribute or whatever - he made a point to say Brian was the nicest guy, and he didn't want to say anything bad about it. |
| john bodega 05.11.2009 02:57 |
Holly2003 wrote: his guitar on Blues Breaker sounds better than the rather weedy sound Brian gets out of the Red Special. And btw, just because a number of RS owners like that particular sound, doesn't mean it sounds particularly good.This makes no sense at all... "The one I like is good, the one that other people like is weedy". Passing off one opinion as fact and the other as just opinion wins you no favours! Half of the problem with Brian's sound on Blues Breaker is the context. EVH's tone is just all round more stand-out in that setting. With a different mix (or hell, just a different backing) people probably wouldn't notice it being any more thin than usual. Guitar tone rides heavily on the stuff that it's mixed in with. It doesn't really change the fact that it's a couple of rich guys playing something that probably shouldn't have been released on artistic grounds. |
| Holly2003 05.11.2009 03:22 |
Christ, when did I say it was a fact? I clearly said it was my opinion, and that just because a bunch of RS owners had a opinion, it doesn't make them 'right' nor does it mean I have to agree. |
| Holly2003 05.11.2009 03:24 |
cacatua wrote:Holly2003 wrote: You make a lot of assumptions based on one or two of my comments. Where did I say that fast equals good? Or that only Clapton-style playing is good? Neither EVH or BM are great here, but IMO EVH is a lot more comfortable jamming than Brian, and his guitar on Blues Breaker sounds better than the rather weedy sound Brian gets out of the Red Special. And btw, just because a number of RS owners like that particular sound, doesn't mean it sounds particularly good. That's like saying Yamaha motorbikes are better than Kawasaki motorbikes because a bunch of Yamaha owners think so. Anyway, you';re entitled to your opinion, as am I: I think EVH wins hands down, but neither of them demostrate a lot of 'soul' in Blues Breaker. Star Fleet is a little better, and it at least sounds like Brian a bit. Let Me Out is cliched and dull, which is probably why it never made it onto a Queen album (unlike, say, Sleepin on the Sidewalk).INHO you are full of crap. I got the CD out this afternoon and have been listening to it, and it is relaxed and enjoyable on the part of all concerned. Why do you all insist on turning it into rocket science? There used to be a link to an interview with Brian on the Queenzone homepage where he talked about the Star Fleet project and he told about how he lost an amp during it and Eddie broke a string and they left everything in it as the whole thing was an informal jam session. Sometimes this place just seems like a Rag-On-Brian forum and you all sound like a bunch of spoiled brats. And IMO you're a stepford. If reading a dissenting opinion annoys you so much, find another forum. |
| john bodega 05.11.2009 04:39 |
Holly2003 wrote: Christ, when did I say it was a fact? I clearly said it was my opinion, and that just because a bunch of RS owners had a opinion, it doesn't make them 'right' nor does it mean I have to agree.But that's verging on a tautology and I hate those. Haha. |
| cacatua 05.11.2009 09:40 |
Holly2003 wrote:cacatua wrote:And IMO you're a stepford. If reading a dissenting opinion annoys you so much, find another forum.Holly2003 wrote: You make a lot of assumptions based on one or two of my comments. Where did I say that fast equals good? Or that only Clapton-style playing is good? Neither EVH or BM are great here, but IMO EVH is a lot more comfortable jamming than Brian, and his guitar on Blues Breaker sounds better than the rather weedy sound Brian gets out of the Red Special. And btw, just because a number of RS owners like that particular sound, doesn't mean it sounds particularly good. That's like saying Yamaha motorbikes are better than Kawasaki motorbikes because a bunch of Yamaha owners think so. Anyway, you';re entitled to your opinion, as am I: I think EVH wins hands down, but neither of them demostrate a lot of 'soul' in Blues Breaker. Star Fleet is a little better, and it at least sounds like Brian a bit. Let Me Out is cliched and dull, which is probably why it never made it onto a Queen album (unlike, say, Sleepin on the Sidewalk).INHO you are full of crap. I got the CD out this afternoon and have been listening to it, and it is relaxed and enjoyable on the part of all concerned. Why do you all insist on turning it into rocket science? There used to be a link to an interview with Brian on the Queenzone homepage where he talked about the Star Fleet project and he told about how he lost an amp during it and Eddie broke a string and they left everything in it as the whole thing was an informal jam session. Sometimes this place just seems like a Rag-On-Brian forum and you all sound like a bunch of spoiled brats. If you don't like the way Brian sounds playing his RS, then why are you here? I at least appreciate SFP for the context in which it was done. I am not trying to fit it into a different slot. In other words, I sought it out because of what it is, not in spite of what it is. But, hey, chalk my testiness up to feeling old and crotchety yesterday. |
| cacatua 05.11.2009 10:45 |
Brian's interview about Star Fleet: http://www.pcpki.com/queen/articles/bmsf.html |