Those who bought ANATO on street date or saw the NOTW tour have nothing to brag about
Think about it :
- Greg Brooks is doing a splendid job at prepping an Anthology that our grand-grand-children might just be lucky enough to see ! Or not, but it's all right !
- Queen's latest release, Absolute Greatest, was an incredible thrill : iconic artwork, undisputable track listing (who could have wanted Innuendo instead of WWTLF ?), the ever so subtle "let's crank it up to 11" Bob Ludwig remaster !
- WWRY is still going strong : Internet GaGa indeed !
- High profile collaborations with the Muppets, Adam Lambert or Jedward keep enriching the band's legend
- Solo projects are rising high : Brian producing the new Aretha Franklin, Kerry Ellis, Roger making the best of the Strings sounds of his home keyboard on the thought provoking Unblinking Eye
- Brian leaving music behind for much more exciting ventures such as stereoscopic photography (he's better at 3D than James Cameron, don't forget that) or defending helpless cute badgers and foxes
Why should we moan ? We are spoiled !
Well, maybe not as spoiled as Genesis fans : after 30 years of hoping for a reunion, a lot of anticipation regarding their upcoming R&R HoF induction, Peter Gabriel just told everyone he won't even bother to attend, let alone perform, because he'll be too busy rehearsing deconstructionist covers of Radiohead for his "Let Me Bore To Tears Tour".
I knew this day would come : I miss Paul, his goatee, his snake leather pants and his ubiquitous Oooh Baby Yeahh Gimme Some Rock & Rooooool
On a "non sarcastic" note. It *is* a great time to be a Queen fan.
Anyone who was a fan in North America in the 80s (like me) knows how frustrating it was to have your favourite band never tour here, the albums kept getting worse and worse.. the press ignored them, no internet, nobody else you know likes them and any bootleg recordings of shows were hella-expensive.
Now, we are part of a global community, demos and concerts are available on demand on the internet 24/7 and free, I can take every single queen album ever made with me on a music player the size of a cigarette lighter and they are now universally recognized as one of the greatest bands ever.
"Now, we are part of a global community, demos and concerts are available on demand on the internet 24/7 and free, I can take every single queen album ever made with me on a music player the size of a cigarette lighter and they are now universally recognized as one of the greatest bands ever."
In a certain way you are absolutely right. But having all the stuff available now somehow cheapens everything. In the active days of the band a concert was a real event that you expected for months and being there was something extremely special. Also seeing the band on tv once or twice a year also was an event not to be missed, even if it was just a clip.
That also goes for all the other great bands that appeared on tv once a year, I soaked them in like a sponge. And when I see the repeats today I still remember them.
Since it's all available in large amounts whenever you want it has lost a certain magic and value - although I would not want to turn back the clock.