| QueenFanGirl 18.03.2010 09:44 |
Roger Taylor Q&A March 2010 1. What is the current situation with the ‘Twin Taylor Tour’ and what can we expect from it…Solo material? Covers? Queen album cuts? Or just drum solos! RT – The current situation with the Two Taylors Tour is on hold, possible gig or gigs in October. Expect my solo material, Taylors solo material and some favorite Queen oldies and of course a monster double drum solo. 2. What is lined up for the rumoured RT Box Set ? Re-mastered Solo /Cross albums, plus demos and live tracks? It would be great to have something similar to the Freddie box set. RT – The box set is something I would hope to do in the next 2 years, not quite sure but would maybe like to put together a sort of RT best of album, although I do have some new material in the ammunition box. 3. What visual elements are available for future releases? Solo / Cross videos and live shows? Would these be part of any box set? RT– I haven’t looked into videos. Good question re the box set. 4. Surely it is time for a single disc Roger Taylor Best Of Collection? RT – RT best of collection coming up 5. The Unblinking Eye – What motivated your to return to the studio and to work on new material or are you simply ‘just doing your job?’ RT – The Unblinking Eye was motivated by the complete disaster that this government has turned this country into. 6. Is the The Unblinking Eye release set to be part of a new album (or box set)? RT – Yes It will be. 7. Are they any tracks your have written in the past twenty years and thought …“Freddie would have been perfect for that one”? RT – Freddie could have sung anyone of them and made a great job of it. 8. I’ve expected ‘Roger’s Soapbox’ for years, seriously, you’re a man so intelligent and authentic, it would be a pleasure to read it. RT – I think my soapbox would make depressing reading and frankly I find the idea slightly egocentric. I do have strong opinion on things as everybody should, but it might get a bit too nasty which would be good reason to have regretted having written it. 9. Will there ever be a Roger Taylor autobiography, you always seem the one having the most fun, there must be some great stories to tell! RT – As I am still merely a callow youth and haven’t finished my fun quota yet it hasn’t seemed like the time to write a book. Maybe when I get older and have forgotten all the worst bits. 10.Would you re-working solo tracks in the studio? Either giving them a modern edge or stripping them right down to really raw versions? RT – I wont be reworking solo tracks as that will be looking backwards 11. Would have embraced a huge solo career alongside Queen ‘a la Phil Collins’? RT – I have always preferred being in a band situation rather than being ‘solo’, so I suppose the answer is no. 12. I recently saw Springsteen play Racing in the Streets live, is it your favourite song of his? RT – Racing in the Streets is one of my Springsteen favourites along with many others, my cover version was mid tempo rather than his very slow reading of the song. On reflection it’s a bit of an impersonation but I really enjoyed it at the time. 13. What is the main instrument you compose on? RT – 50/50 guitar and piano. But sometimes a really good drum pattern provides inspiration. 14. Do you know before you start if you intend something to be a solo project? Is there a difference between the writing or intent behind your solo work and other projects? RT – Really I just write things I feel like writing. If the band is working it would be for them otherwise it would be solo. Although my solo work is a little more political and opinionated. 15. You seemed to have provided the strongest material on The Cosmos Rocks, now we have The Unblinking Eye – not prolific but you certainly seem to be on a hot streak… RT – Thanks for the compliment re The Cosmos Rocks. I have a fair amount of material at the moment and I’m writing slowly but surely, hopefully concentrating on quality not quantity. The Unblinking Eye (Everything Is Broken) |
| Sebastian 18.03.2010 12:18 |
RT – I think my soapbox would make depressing reading and frankly I find the idea slightly egocentric. Standing ovation! |
| GratefulFan 18.03.2010 13:00 |
The implied dig at Brian is not cool. Roger has always been way too willing to do that to elevate/differentiate himself. |
| Gregsynth 18.03.2010 13:19 |
GratefulFan wrote: The implied dig at Brian is not cool. Roger has always been way too willing to do that to elevate/differentiate himself.Was it really implied at Brian? I don't think it's egocentric to have a soapbox, in my opinion though. |
| GratefulFan 18.03.2010 13:34 |
I don't think I mentioned any soapbox Greg? I rest my case. ;) |
| Gregsynth 18.03.2010 13:40 |
GratefulFan wrote: I don't think I mentioned any soapbox Greg? I rest my case. ;)Give me a break! :) |
| Holly2003 18.03.2010 16:34 |
Another 'Best of..' compilation. I can't wait. |
| lalaalalaa 18.03.2010 16:47 |
Why doesn't anyone read MY soapbox O.O Is it because of my theories on fish? |
| Wiley 18.03.2010 17:40 |
Holly2003 wrote: Another 'Best of..' compilation. I can't wait. Well, I personally don't think there's enough Roger Taylor solo product available to purchase in a regular record store. I welcome this release, even if the market for it is tiny. By the way, people should not have to pay $40-50 USD to physically own a CD with "New Dark Ages" on it. I used to download songs years ago but I don't anymore, and I never downloaded any The Cross material. The first time I heard Blue Rock (a few months ago) it was quite an experience. |
| buffypython 18.03.2010 23:08 |
Where's this interview from? Who conducted it? Was it for a magazine, internet site, newspaper, what? It seems a bit too hastily put together and choppy to look authentic to me. |
| GT 19.03.2010 03:50 |
It was done via the official site queenonline and questions were sent in by fans. |
| Bo Rhap 19.03.2010 05:15 |
Ooh.A box-set.Thats an idea. Now where have i heard that idea before eh? |
| Pim Derks 19.03.2010 05:59 |
Wiley wrote I used to download songs years ago but I don't anymore, and I never downloaded any The Cross material. The first time I heard Blue Rock (a few months ago) it was quite an experience. Definitely their best work. If you combine the best songs from Mad Bad and Blue Rock you've got an extremely strong album IMO. Shame they felt the need to include songs with silly lyrics like Penetration Guru, Dirty Mind or Millionaire. Great melodies, crappy lyrics. |
| Pingfah 19.03.2010 06:57 |
The only question I care to hear the answer to regarding anything Queen members are doing right now is "When is the new RT album coming out?". And they didn't ask it. |
| Johan 19.03.2010 08:28 |
Oh... It has been asked, it probably just didn't get answered...! |
| GratefulFan 19.03.2010 18:42 |
This blogger didn't think much of the questions, and I think I'm with her. http://princessoftaylor.blogspot.com/2010/03/im-going-slightly-mad-what-i-wore.html |
| PrincessofTaylor 21.03.2010 11:45 |
Yeah the above post links to my blog (thanks for the link, Grateful Fan). I'm obviously pretty disappointed with the results of the Q&A (more so with the questions). I don't think we can fault RT for some of the answers. I think I'm actually just as disappointed with the response over at QueenOnline though - in four days, only 15 or so people have even commented at the fact that RT bothered to answer our questions at all (and no one seems to be commenting on the lousy questions either). That kind of reaction certainly isn't going to encourage anyone (RT or Dr. May) to start releasing more interesting stuff if they are convinced that the fan reaction is going to be lackluster. I guess we're just back to playing the waiting game. |
| Holly2003 21.03.2010 16:10 |
PrincessofTaylor wrote: Yeah the above post links to my blog (thanks for the link, Grateful Fan). I'm obviously pretty disappointed with the results of the Q&A (more so with the questions). I don't think we can fault RT for some of the answers. I think I'm actually just as disappointed with the response over at QueenOnline though - in four days, only 15 or so people have even commented at the fact that RT bothered to answer our questions at all (and no one seems to be commenting on the lousy questions either). That kind of reaction certainly isn't going to encourage anyone (RT or Dr. May) to start releasing more interesting stuff if they are convinced that the fan reaction is going to be lackluster. I guess we're just back to playing the waiting game. I agree with a lot of what you say about the interview. Daft, repetitive or inane questions tend not to get the best out of those being interviewed. Regarding the lack of response from fans, I can't comment about the website as I never go there, but I suspect this is maybe a result of Queen missing the boat both in terms of how they market new material and in what they release. TCR was very poorly marketed, as was The Unblinking Eye. Roger's solo "Best of ..." won't sell well, because hardly anyone except die-hard fans will buy it and a large percentage of them won't buy it because it's a re-release of tracks they already have. There is a market for a properly done box set or collection, if it's presented properly i.e. with historic photos, bio details written by someone who knows what they're doing, and, naturally, some interesting music. Queen have been really really slow figuring this out, just as they've been really slow adapting to the digital age (and I still think they don't understand the download market, and how it impacts physical sales). |
| GratefulFan 22.03.2010 13:04 |
PrincessofTaylor wrote: Yeah the above post links to my blog (thanks for the link, Grateful Fan). I'm obviously pretty disappointed with the results of the Q&A (more so with the questions). I don't think we can fault RT for some of the answers. I think I'm actually just as disappointed with the response over at QueenOnline though - in four days, only 15 or so people have even commented at the fact that RT bothered to answer our questions at all (and no one seems to be commenting on the lousy questions either). That kind of reaction certainly isn't going to encourage anyone (RT or Dr. May) to start releasing more interesting stuff if they are convinced that the fan reaction is going to be lackluster. I guess we're just back to playing the waiting game. QOL might have more comments if they'd improve their super secret formula for granting forum membership. Who puts a firewall like that between themselves and their fans in the first place? And then can't be f'ed to approve the memberships or respond to queries about the limboed applications? At least 3 or 4 others here have mentioned experiencing the same thing. If that kind of disconnect has infected the inner sanctum as well, no wonder there is apathy. I love Queen fiercely, but between QOL and the Greg Brooks show here I certainly don't feel like I'm in any kind of fan/artist relationship or whatever. The only time I ever perceive that, fleetingly, is when Brian shares something relevant and meaningful on the soapbox. I thought you were pretty much bang on in your commentary on the RT Q&A so was glad to be able to share the link here. And nice blouse! :) |
| PrincessofTaylor 22.03.2010 13:58 |
Haha - thanks about the blouse. That's one of the downsides of writing a blog about Queen...and fashion...and running. Not many people on the planet besides myself are interested in all three! Re: QOL - I agree 100%. I've "applied" for membership to the boards twice and never received a response. I can't for the life of me figure out why the process is so complicated. I'm a huge fan and I'm excited to hear new RT stuff because I really do think that he's been improving over the years, but when I'm not actively enjoying their music, I'm basically tearing my hair out over them! |