| Queen Archivist 05.10.2016 14:25 |
Dear Queenzoners Following my recent appearance at the Dutch Queen Day, where I explained a few things the Queen team worked on over the past year or so, and where I took some questions, I would like to make a few things clear. I took great care in what I said, and equal care in what I didn’t say, but inevitably certain details have been slightly misreported and it’s important to get these things right. Otherwise we might be in the situation at some point whereby, again, it’ll be “Greg said blah blah, but he was obviously lying because now we know that blah blah blah.” So, for clarity and in order to avoid any such accusations that I invariably attract, and because I’m a nice chap really, I’ll respond to a few points that YourValentine wrote, as she seems to have mentioned most or all of the things I got into. This is as good a thread to reply to as any… YV: …it's not Greg Brook's fault what they release and what they don't release. GB: This is true. YV: A Queen 3D photography book is planned based on the photos taken by Brian on stage and off stage. GB: Yes. This book is scheduled for next year and is shaping up extremely well. It has grown enormously from the originally proposed concept and not all photos were taken by Brian (sometimes Brian gave his camera to others, to take snaps, and also fans sometimes took 3-D shots – such as during the ’84 Works tour in Europe). Denis (Pellerin) and I sat with Brian over several days and many hours in which he recalled copious great Queen stories and anecdotes, a lot of which I’d never heard before and were fascinating. We found Brian in wonderful form and reflective mood, with the images prompting all kinds of anecdotes. He went off on all kinds of unexpected tangents - all very interesting. There is some staggeringly good stuff that will surprise you, but nothing will amaze you more than some of the 3-D images of the band at work and play. I described to the fans in Holland how startling it was for me, having spent 35 years looking at flat (2-D) images of Freddie, John, Brian and Roger, to suddenly see them in dramatically ‘real’ three dimensions… with, for example, Freddie’s nose closer to you (as the viewer) than his cheeks, and then his neck further away still, and with his hair, hands, fingers, mouth and eyes coming to life, right at you, with astonishing clarity. It’s hard to explain. I predict you too will be startled by many of the 3-D images. You ’think’ you know these four faces well, extremely well, because your brain has seen a thousand images of each of them… and yet suddenly here are those same four faces looking more real than your brain is accustomed to seeing - familiar but at once strangely UNfamiliar. It’s really hard to relay now, but you’ll get what I mean as soon as you see John Deacon in 3-D casually perusing a toy shop in Zagreb in 1979. Trust me, these images are fantastic! YV: the long awaited Brian Queen memorabilia book is in the 10th year of the making and by now it will probably be 2 books, so it will take another 1-5 years to make. GB: Not quite correct. It is the Queen Live book that would, or could, be released in two volumes, NOT the Queen memorabilia book. The ‘I Want It All! book has been assembled by me, not Brian (though he is closely involved), but it is largely based around Brian’s personal collection of Queen memorabilia. The book has indeed been on and off for a decade now, but it will definitely happen, I hope in 2017 or 18 latest. It’s so very close now. Each year it got put back, was of course a pain, because it's an amazing looking project and I want it to be out there asap, but the delay always had the benefit that we could show/feature the memorabilia for each new project; all the boxed sets, promos, flyers, posters etc for the 2014 Rainbow products, the 2015 Hammersmith box, Queen On Air, etc, all the Universal CDs, promo boxes and Japanese discs. It’s great that all these things will feature too – which would not have happened, obviously, if we’d put the book out in 2010. The Queen Live book (a VASTLY dramatically updated version of my original book of 1995) will I’m sure happen at some point because all the work is more or less done now. It’s grown from a 35,000 word book to something closer to 200,000, and thus it’ll probably make sense to issue it in two volumes; Queen Live In The 1970s and Queen Live In The 1980s. I’m in conversation right now about how best to offer the book, and when, and if it could be an interactive product too – in which you can read text about any given Queen concert (with Freddie), but also watch the footage, or rehearsal, hear the audio of the show (or the sound check, if it exists), listen to the related interviews, look at the relevant merch, read the press reviews, as well as accounts from fans who were there (and see the photos they took) etc. I’d like there to be stand-alone physical books, but an interactive sister-product too. Time will tell. Sooner than later. YV: A Queen monopoly game is in said pipeline (meaning we don't know when it will come out) based on Queen tours. So you can buy a Wembley Stadium etc. We will get this because Brian is such a big monopoly fan. GB: Yes, Brian mentioned this first, quite some time ago. He is indeed a fan of Monopoly, as is Roger, and both have contributed ideas for this. This too is coming along very nicely. It looks fab, plays well, and is great fun. Lots of attention to detail, as you might expect. Not sure when it will happen yet. Look out for rather nice little metal Queenified icons (the pieces you move around the board). YV: -By the end of the year they want to release a Queen radio edition based on the BBC recordings. There will be a 2CD and 6 CD edition. The 6 CDs contain the BBC sessions interviews and live material that somehow is connected to the radio theme. No video material is in this package. GB: True. The BBC Sessions / Queen On Air press release goes out soon, with full details. This is an extremely long overdue product. All six BBC sessions together for the first time, and some other surprises too along the way. YV: - In November we can look forward to the Greatest Hits vinyl release… …The funny thing was that GB did not want to "confirm this" but reluctantly did when he was told that the item is already on amazon. GB: True. I didn’t know if the details were public knowledge yet. Someone in the audience told me it was, and proved it, and thus I was happy to confirm. YV: No more 70s concert DVDs will be released although they are "looking" at the material (Houston, EC, HP etc) and maybe some day there will be a compilation - or not. GB: True-ish. But this old news. We’ve been looking at what we have for a long time, to see what could be featured on products, or not. We’ve looked at everything, and yes that would naturally include Earls Court, Houston, Hyde Park, etc. That is NOT to say that these are our next product. They are not. I did not say that, though some audience members took that inference. Whether any of those shows will ever be released, is not known to me, not my decision, and thus my guess is as good as yours. Still !!! All I can do is be part of the studio-based Queen Team (Justin, Kris, Richard, GB) that investigates these things for the band. I cannot say more because I don’t know more. Our next live DVD could be anything; we've not got into yet. Too many other things happening at the moment. YV: we can also forget about the anthology or any outtakes/demos… GB: True. This has not been mentioned for many years and thus it’s not likely to happen any time soon. YV: - also in the famous pipelines: the Brian May solo box. GB: Brian has been interested in a BM solo product for ages. This too is not new news. He said as far back as the Freddie ‘Solo’ box of 2000 that he’d like to consider a BM collectors set |
| pittrek 05.10.2016 14:39 |
YV: -By the end of the year they want to release a Queen radio edition based on the BBC recordings. There will be a 2CD and 6 CD edition. The 6 CDs contain the BBC sessions interviews and live material that somehow is connected to the radio theme. No video material is in this package. GB: True. The BBC Sessions / Queen On Air press release goes out soon, with full details. This is an extremely long overdue product. All six BBC sessions together for the first time, and some other surprises too along the way.You know that the press release for the BBC box is out for something like 2 weeks now, right? |
| Nitroboy 05.10.2016 15:34 |
Queen Archivist wrote: It looks fab, plays well, and is great fun. Lots of attention to detail, as you might expect. Oh Greg, I don't think you've ever played Monopoly. If there's anything to split friends, family, and loved ones in general... It's Monopoly ;) Thanks for clarifying some stuff! |
| Queen Archivist 05.10.2016 15:41 |
Pitrek... You know that the press release for the BBC box is out for something like 2 weeks now, right? GB: Yes I know. But not everything is in the press release ! |
| popy 05.10.2016 16:39 |
On YourValentine post there's also this - Greatest Video hits: a lot of blahblah but no specifics. promo videos are also in that pipeline and won't come out for a long time. They could make re-edits from all the rushes they have but why speculate, in the end the few promo clips we do not have will be missing anyway, because they are such perfectionists etc etc. What's really the status on this? Will we ever get post The Miracle videos on DVD/Blu-Ray and surround? What was really the the hold back to not release the rest of the videos on DVD after GVH2 in 2003? In another post discussing the Queen On Air release, "on my way up" user posted a link for a response you made in 2006 here http://www.queenconcerts.com/queenzone/869477.html where you say "A Queen BBC session, containing a mega rare item no-one knows exists..including us until 2 years ago. We just paid a fan for that." After all, what is this "mega rare item no-one know exists"? |
| scottmax 05.10.2016 17:54 |
Not this bell end again.... How has he still got a job? |
| . 05.10.2016 18:10 |
,,,,,, and we're off. |
| Chopin1995 06.10.2016 02:09 |
Dear Mr Brooks I appreciate everything you do and try to do. I believe you do your stuff the best you can. I'm looking forward to buy Queen 3D book and Queen Live books. I'm excited about that. I hope there won't beany mistakes or misinformation. You have contact both with the band, studio-based team and with the fans. Could you tell them that we want more live FULL concerts without unnecessary auto-tune and meaningless overdubs? Like Hyde Park, Earls Court, Hammy 79, something from South America 1981, Rio 85 (first full night) ? I know you won't release them all at the same time but we would love to listen and watch them before we die. Yours sincerely |
| Sue Dounim 06.10.2016 03:05 |
Chopin1995 wrote: Dear Mr Brooks I appreciate everything you do and try to do. I believe you do your stuff the best you can. I'm looking forward to buy Queen 3D book and Queen Live books. I'm excited about that. I hope there won't beany mistakes or misinformation. You have contact both with the band, studio-based team and with the fans. Could you tell them that we want more live FULL concerts without unnecessary auto-tune and meaningless overdubs? Like Hyde Park, Earls Court, Hammy 79, something from South America 1981, Rio 85 (first full night) ? I know you won't release them all at the same time but we would love to listen and watch them before we die. Yours sincerely ^this. I would like to know, would an audio-only release of a concert be out of the question? I think a CD/Vinyl/Digital release of either Hyde Park '76 or some other concert would be very successful |
| brians wig 06.10.2016 03:17 |
Queen Archivist wrote: Pitrek... You know that the press release for the BBC box is out for something like 2 weeks now, right? GB: Yes I know. But not everything is in the press release !Someone suggested a few weeks ago that there was a difference between the boxset discs of the sessions and the standalone 2 disc version, so it would be worth buying both. Would you care to confirm or deny that please? If there is, then I hope the boxset release contains all the inbetween song banter form the DJs.... I'd like to think Brian took on board my comments of a while ago about including those if they had them... |
| Togg 06.10.2016 03:19 |
Greg, I'm glad you clarified a few points here, I am personally sadend that the 70's DVD's are not on a higher priority from the band, so many of us would love to see it, so anytime you get a chance to mention that please do. As for the anthology... well I think we all kind of new it wasn't going to happen, I can understand the bands reasoning, but I do still hope one day it comes to light, I've been listening recently a lot to the Youtube clips of Queen tracks one instrument at a time, and it's been fascinating so I for one would be very interested in hearing 'work in progess' but I suspect there's no chance of that until long after Queen have stopped working as a functioning unit. |
| cmsdrums 06.10.2016 04:17 |
Thanks for the update - good to see what is potentially planned to manage our expectations, whilst disheartening to see some of the most sought after things are not in mind. Can you comment on the 'mega rare' BBC item that doesn't make it into ' On Air'? As it's not been included, and any anthology set is pretty much ruled out, would it hurt to tell us what this is as it seems we'll never hear it? (unless the oriignal collector/owner of it releases a copy). The Monopoly set: "Lots of attention to detail, as you might expect". Sadly, no - based on so many errors and isues with previous products and releases, I would mostly NOT expect lots of attention to detail. |
| mr mason 06.10.2016 04:18 |
I think the fans who put them where they are deserve a bit more,we bought all their albums,provided them with priviledged lifestyles,and all we want is to relive that feeling of knowing that we are going to hear something new(to our ears) one day,i do not believe 'Brian' and 'Roger' know of our pain,neither really wanted 'Forever' released,im sure if it was all put in front of them,they would make an 'Anthology' amazing,personally i think 'Jim Beach' cant be arsed,hes too old to be bothered, and i dont think things get past him! 'Queen Rules'! |
| on my way up 06.10.2016 05:35 |
I'm very happy to see that this topic is turning into a nice, serene debate and rightfully so. Indeed, there is no reason to blame the Queen archivist - or anyone else from the "studio-based Queen team" - for the fact the "deluxe version" of the "On air" is such a poor product... Now, what I would like to add, is that I feel that this community of die-hard Queen fans has become more than a bit tired of the same routine we are experiencing here. What am I talking about? Well, we - and I mean the most loyal and devoted Queen fans who buy all Queen music available (in many cases also the various versions!) and collect all concert recordings we can find - are well aware of the wealth of material Queen has in their archives. We are also well aware of what products MAY happen. You don't need to be Albert Einstein to see what's possible since many other big bands - from the same era as Queen (and there are many since this era was huge for rock ('n roll)) - are releasing that kind of stuff. We often hear Queen kept much more in their archive than other bands, yet we have to experience that very little of all this is coming our way in terms of product. The "deluxe versions" of releases - which are now the norm in the market - offer nothing new. It was the case with "A night at the Odeon" (just 1 song from the soundcheck on vinyl) and it happens now with "On air" (indeed a release which was long due). For years we have kept the faith, also because the Queen archivist told us to do so (I also eat more fruit thanks to you, Greg, since that was another advice of yours ;-) ) but I feel like that faith is diminishing. Our hopes went up with the Live at the Rainbow release but after that things have gone to how they were before again.... Being: a huge fanbase looking forward for comprehensive releases taking in ALSO a lot of rarities, simply not happening. And what is the routine, you may ask? Well, the routine is that - now that our hopes have gone down again since many of the things we are hoping for are simply not happening (compare to other bands please, some releasing plenty of audio only concerts for their devoted fans!) - the Queen archivist shows up (and I don't blame the archivist for playing the role that was given to him by his employer) again to give us new hope in what the future MAY bring. To be honest, I've had enough of this routine and would like to see more materialising instead of just talking... A great example is the rare BBC item you once mentioned but doesn't seem to feature on this release... High hopes, low return. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 06.10.2016 06:28 |
Queen Archivist wrote: It looks fab, plays well, and is great fun. Lots of attention to detail, as you might expect.Oh Greg, I don't think you've ever played Monopoly. If there's anything to split friends, family, and loved ones in general... It's Monopoly ;) Thanks for clarifying some stuff! GB: Yes I think you're right. A family battle at Christmas time, fuelled by a game of Queen Monopoly! I'm up for that. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 06.10.2016 06:30 |
Sue Dounim wrote:GB: Duly noted. I'll pass it on.Chopin1995 wrote: Dear Mr Brooks I appreciate everything you do and try to do. I believe you do your stuff the best you can. I'm looking forward to buy Queen 3D book and Queen Live books. I'm excited about that. I hope there won't beany mistakes or misinformation. You have contact both with the band, studio-based team and with the fans. Could you tell them that we want more live FULL concerts without unnecessary auto-tune and meaningless overdubs? Like Hyde Park, Earls Court, Hammy 79, something from South America 1981, Rio 85 (first full night) ? I know you won't release them all at the same time but we would love to listen and watch them before we die. Yours sincerely^this. I would like to know, would an audio-only release of a concert be out of the question? I think a CD/Vinyl/Digital release of either Hyde Park '76 or some other concert would be very successful |
| rocknrolllover 06.10.2016 06:45 |
Greg unfortunately not Jim, not Roger or Brian and he can't do what he hasn't power, but I sure he's great for Queen. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 06.10.2016 06:49 |
cmsdrums wrote: Can you comment on the 'mega rare' BBC item that doesn't make it into ' On Air'? As it's not been included, and any anthology set is pretty much ruled out, would it hurt to tell us what this is as it seems we'll never hear it? (unless the oriignal collector/owner of it releases a copy). GB: It's tedious, I know, but I can't go in to it. I became aware of a certain item that I hoped would be relevant to this package, but ultimately it could not be used. It might be relevant to Anthology instead. I honestly don't know. I can only react to the things I find, and suggest things, and I do, but others may have very different opinions and they know more about these things than I do. The Monopoly set: "Lots of attention to detail, as you might expect". Sadly, no - based on so many errors and isues with previous products and releases, I would mostly NOT expect lots of attention to detail.GB: Hmmmm! I think the Rainbow concerts, Hammersmith too, and the forthcoming BBC sessions, sound brilliant and clearly demonstrate great attention to detail and care, by people who care hugely. As do the sleeve notes and the mammoth research time that goes into all that stuff. I'm sorry you feel that way. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 06.10.2016 06:50 |
rocknrolllover wrote: Greg unfortunately not Jim, not Roger or Brian and he can't do what he hasn't power, but I sure he's great for Queen.GB: Every Tuesday morning, round about tea time. |
| rocknrolllover 06.10.2016 07:04 |
GB: Queen Archivist wrote:Great sense of humour that I respect.rocknrolllover wrote: Greg unfortunately not Jim, not Roger or Brian and he can't do what he hasn't power, but I sure he's great for Queen.GB: Every Tuesday morning, round about tea time. I hope you bring to us more coffee and tea with cakes and bakes, Greg. |
| Barry Durex 06.10.2016 07:12 |
GB: Queen Archivist wrote: It's tedious, I know, but I can't go in to it. I became aware of a certain item that I hoped would be relevant to this package, but ultimately it could not be used. It might be relevant to Anthology instead. I honestly don't know. I can only react to the things I find, and suggest things, and I do, but others may have very different opinions and they know more about these things than I do.I don't know about tedious. Annoying, frustrating and typical spring to mind. |
| cmsdrums 06.10.2016 07:26 |
Cheer Greg. I'm curious as to why 'March of the Black Queen' is not included in 'On Air'? Your article in Record Collector a few years back about the BBC Sessions stated that, whilst it was close to the album version, it did contain some different vocal ad libs and was remixed. Whilst the band may feel that as it wasn't a fully new and live in the studio version it wasn't worthy of inclusion, for completeness it would have been good. (For example, they weren't scared of hyping some tracks on 'Forever' as 'new' versions when all they were was edits ('Play the Game' without the backward cymbals intro etc). |
| pittrek 06.10.2016 07:57 |
I) Thanks a lot to GB for finding his time to come here and communicate normally with the fans, huge thanks for this. II) If I can ask, could you give us some explanation why the BBC sessions are incomplete and some of the songs are in a different order? The same question goes for the interviews of course. Were there some technical problems, or legal problems or whatever? III) I don't know WHO is responsible for moderating the QOL comments (which don't exist anymore), but is there a chance that the person responsible for first censoring the negative comments and later removing the comment section would be informed that it is the worst business decision which he/she/they could do? And no, I am not talking about things like profanities, insults, harassment etc., it's quite normal to delete those, I am talking about deleting absolutely harmless comments which dared to not be enthusiastic about the release. Every normal company accepts criticism of their products or services if it's done politely and constructively. Again, thanks a lot for your time. |
| IanR 06.10.2016 08:45 |
Personally, to make up for the fact that the album version of BLACK QUEEN was broadcast, I'd have liked an instrumental version included on this package to add a little spice. |
| Oscar J 06.10.2016 08:57 |
^ The third point is probably on a completely different table than Greg's. What I would like to know is if the BBC Sessions are actually remixed, or just cleaned up and remastered. Since some of the current stuff out there is quite rough. |
| pittrek 06.10.2016 09:11 |
Oscar J wrote: ^ The third point is probably on a completely different table than Greg's.Of course. I hoped it was clear from my post |
| Viper 06.10.2016 09:17 |
Oscar J wrote: What I would like to know is if the BBC Sessions are actually remixed, or just cleaned up and remastered. Since some of the current stuff out there is quite rough.My point exactly! already asked that here: link |
| Chief Mouse 06.10.2016 09:33 |
Well, since the can of worms has been opened, I would like to inquire about promo videos on Blu Ray. Post Miracle videos deserve a proper release and film-sourced promo clips should be recompiled in HD from the reels. Is this happening at all or at least being considered? Thanks. |
| musicland munich 06.10.2016 11:20 |
Thanks for the Update. Personally I'am not a huge fan of this vague Roadmap or better Pipeline in this case. Lot of these things are "nice" but actually nothing the average Queen Fan has on his shopping list. I can imagine a lot of moanings with some of these projects. QUEEN isn't a real recording act anymore...for obvious reasons...so Live Gigs and unrelesed Material are the rational things Queen fans are asking for. |
| musicland munich 06.10.2016 11:21 |
double post on a jurassic software based forum ;) |
| mrsparkle 06.10.2016 11:32 |
I too would like to know about the plans for a promo videos remastered for bluray. The current transfers on DVD and YouTube are HORRIBLE. I can count the pixels easily on some of them. |
| MackMantilla 06.10.2016 11:41 |
Hello Greg what news about the Live Killers box in the making in between other proyects? Thanks in advance. |
| GinjaNinja 06.10.2016 12:36 |
Thanks for taking the time to answer some queries Greg, are you allowed to say why Big Spender/Bama Lama Bama Loo from the March Rainbow show weren't included on the release? Are there rights issues with the latter, as I notice it is one of the Golders Green tracks which also won't be on "On Air"? If you're able to suggest it at any point, a Crazy Tour box with a Hammersmith DVD & Newcastle on CD would pretty much be my dream release… |
| rocknrolllover 06.10.2016 12:46 |
GinjaNinja wrote: Thanks for taking the time to answer some queries Greg, are you allowed to say why Big Spender/Bama Lama Bama Loo from the March Rainbow show weren't included on the release? Are there rights issues with the latter, as I notice it is one of the Golders Green tracks which also won't be on "On Air"? If you're able to suggest it at any point, a Crazy Tour box with a Hammersmith DVD & Newcastle on CD would pretty much be my dream release…Great dream because I want this too |
| cmi 06.10.2016 13:18 |
GinjaNinja wrote: Thanks for taking the time to answer some queries Greg, are you allowed to say why Big Spender/Bama Lama Bama Loo from the March Rainbow show weren't included on the release? Are there rights issues with the latter, as I notice it is one of the Golders Green tracks which also won't be on "On Air"? Nice find! It's possibly the reason indeed... unfortunately. |
| brians wig 06.10.2016 14:59 |
GinjaNinja wrote: Thanks for taking the time to answer some queries Greg, are you allowed to say why Big Spender/Bama Lama Bama Loo from the March Rainbow show weren't included on the release? Are there rights issues with the latter, as I notice it is one of the Golders Green tracks which also won't be on "On Air"?That's pretty much hit one of the many nails us fans have about QPL right on the head: Not the direct question asked above, but the fact that we fans have these questions, we ask these questions but never get a reply. Whilst they may feel it's none of our business, QPL would be be more respected if they WERE open with the fans and explained why some releases/planned releases are incomplete or won't happen. It's akin to being told to do something a particular way with no explanation as to WHY it's done that way. |
| scottmax 06.10.2016 15:27 |
Mr Brooks will hand pick his replies, rightly so, but rather than say he doesn't know the answer, will choose to ignore it.. as is the case with the 'super rare' item that's been mentioned. |
| soxtalon 06.10.2016 18:54 |
He answered it. It was embedded in another answer. He apologized and said he knows it was tedious but he wasn't allowed to talk about it but that but was deemed not suitable for this release |
| The Real Wizard 06.10.2016 23:56 |
The royalties thing is pretty obvious. It's why cover tunes have been excised from live Zeppelin releases for ages. It may not even be the money - it could simply be a matter of not getting a reply from the other publisher. |
| YourValentine 07.10.2016 03:17 |
I would not hold my breath for GB to return to this thread and answer questions. After all, he did open it to promote the 3D book and his live book which was not an issue on the Dutch Queendag. It's just a part of the game. Look at what GB says about the "On Air" release: it has the six BBC sessions plus "some other surprises". Since there has been the press release in the mean time, we already know about the "surprises" and can wonder if GB really thinks there is a surprise fans should be happy about or if he is having a private joke about the nature of this surprise. Either way I can only recommend to stop hoping for the band to change their ways. It's obvious that the remaining two members have no interest in the roots and artistic history of their own music and no interest in their most loyal fans, so we should reconsider this loyalty and maybe follow the example and give up our expectations. If the only incitement for the band is money and how they can market more of the same. we should care more about our money and not waste it on this second class crap. |
| Martin Packer 07.10.2016 03:40 |
I would like to ask GB - in the nicest possible way - whether the case has been put to the band for the less polished stuff. Or whether they've not had a chance to express an opinion. |
| brians wig 07.10.2016 04:20 |
YourValentine wrote: Look at what GB says about the "On Air" release: it has the six BBC sessions plus "some other surprises".Maybe he was being sarcasticand really meant it will be "no surprise".... ;-) |
| . 07.10.2016 05:04 |
YourValentine wrote: I would not hold my breath for GB to return to this thread and answer questions. After all, he did open it to promote the 3D book and his live book which was not an issue on the Dutch Queendag. It's just a part of the game. Look at what GB says about the "On Air" release: it has the six BBC sessions plus "some other surprises". Since there has been the press release in the mean time, we already know about the "surprises" and can wonder if GB really thinks there is a surprise fans should be happy about or if he is having a private joke about the nature of this surprise. Either way I can only recommend to stop hoping for the band to change their ways. It's obvious that the remaining two members have no interest in the roots and artistic history of their own music and no interest in their most loyal fans, so we should reconsider this loyalty and maybe follow the example and give up our expectations. If the only incitement for the band is money and how they can market more of the same. we should care more about our money and not waste it on this second class crap.My sentiments exactly. |
| Sue Dounim 07.10.2016 06:03 |
I should have asked this in my first post but Greg if you come back and see this could you answer whether or not any of the Buenos Aires 81 shows were multitracked? Were the first and third nights filmed? Does QPL have a copy of the second night without the QUEEN and 9 watermarks? I just wanna know whether or not this stuff exists is all so I can stop fantasizing about it. |
| Chopin1995 07.10.2016 06:15 |
GB: Queen Archivist wrote:Thank you. Any thoughts of the "studio-based team" about it?Sue Dounim wrote:GB: Duly noted. I'll pass it on.Chopin1995 wrote: Dear Mr Brooks I appreciate everything you do and try to do. I believe you do your stuff the best you can. I'm looking forward to buy Queen 3D book and Queen Live books. I'm excited about that. I hope there won't beany mistakes or misinformation. You have contact both with the band, studio-based team and with the fans. Could you tell them that we want more live FULL concerts without unnecessary auto-tune and meaningless overdubs? Like Hyde Park, Earls Court, Hammy 79, something from South America 1981, Rio 85 (first full night) ? I know you won't release them all at the same time but we would love to listen and watch them before we die. Yours sincerely^this. I would like to know, would an audio-only release of a concert be out of the question? I think a CD/Vinyl/Digital release of either Hyde Park '76 or some other concert would be very successful |
| YourValentine 07.10.2016 07:15 |
brians wig wrote:Well, it was a surprise, wasn't it? :-) So much so that the overwhelmimgly surprised fans overran the comment section of QOL with their delight and forced them to close :-)YourValentine wrote: Look at what GB says about the "On Air" release: it has the six BBC sessions plus "some other surprises".Maybe he was being sarcasticand really meant it will be "no surprise".... ;-) |
| Vali 07.10.2016 12:53 |
YourValentine wrote: I would not hold my breath for GB to return to this thread and answer questions. After all, he did open it to promote the 3D book and his live book which was not an issue on the Dutch Queendag. It's just a part of the game. Look at what GB says about the "On Air" release: it has the six BBC sessions plus "some other surprises". Since there has been the press release in the mean time, we already know about the "surprises" and can wonder if GB really thinks there is a surprise fans should be happy about or if he is having a private joke about the nature of this surprise. Either way I can only recommend to stop hoping for the band to change their ways. It's obvious that the remaining two members have no interest in the roots and artistic history of their own music and no interest in their most loyal fans, so we should reconsider this loyalty and maybe follow the example and give up our expectations. If the only incitement for the band is money and how they can market more of the same. we should care more about our money and not waste it on this second class crap.^^^^^^^^this this this So well put, YV. Exactly my feelings. For the very first time in my life I won't be buying a Queen release like a blind zombie just for the sake of keeping my collection complete. I'll go for the 2cd version and maybe (big maybe!) the vinyls (depending on the effort they've put on the audio), and of course will illegally download the deluxe edition (or not, who knows, ha!) just for listening to the live cd probably once and .... those interviews, yeah, maybe I'll finish listening to them during the next couple of years or so (indeed, fascinating stuff, go check any deluxe box from any other artist; plenty of interviews, that's what fans are demanding more!) And seriously, it surprises me so much me the super-polite and exquisite way many of you are still adressing your questions to GB. Like he's a prime minister, the pope or any big authority. Haven't you witnessed the many times he's been rude, unpolite and laughed at the faces of so many people here? Haven't you witnessed the many times he only appears here for his own interests and disappears when he's got what he needs? I respect everybody's choices, but this fact in particular made my jaw drop after reading the thread. |
| soxtalon 08.10.2016 00:13 |
Perhaps people are being respectful because he has been respectful in this thread? |
| Vali 08.10.2016 02:56 |
soxtalon wrote: Perhaps people are being respectful because he has been respectful in this thread?for once in his life? perhaps, take my hand and say hallelujah I'm not saying people shouldn't be respectful, but some posts, written as if addressed to the Queen of England, are almost hilarious, considering to whom are really addressed to. |
| scottmax 08.10.2016 10:18 |
As per usual he comes here, briefly, and then does a runner.... The way he portrays himself, you'd think he was being asked to disclose the nuclear launch codes! A man full of his own self importance. Yes we need all that you fans can give us and in return you will be treated with utter contempt. Maybe he should stick to posting on QOL where negative comments can be deleted, as in his own mind he is far superior to criticism |
| on my way up 09.10.2016 02:00 |
It is pretty obvious we've all grown tired of the routine I wrote about in mg post earlier in this thread. There's indeed no use in the archivist giving hints of rarities if those rarities are being ignored for inclusion in products such as this On air release. |
| TomP63 09.10.2016 05:27 |
The only rarity I've seen and heard in so many years is Greg Brooks. Tom |
| Barry Durex 09.10.2016 06:26 |
TomP63 wrote: The only rarity I've seen and heard in so many years is Greg Brooks.Shit quality though. |
| TomP63 09.10.2016 06:30 |
True Barry, so true, for some reason he is repetitive, so far I've heard the constant Property of Queen Productions.... Tom |
| Benn Kempster 09.10.2016 08:14 |
The more civil the approach to Greg, the likelier he is to return. Although he does come across as a delicate little flower at times, its hardly surprising he's here so infrequently. I've been as guilty as anyone in the past at hauling him over coals, but, surely, even GB can't be responsible for the continual level of incompetence? Only the band and Jim Beach can be at fault here and have their decision-making questioned. |
| . 09.10.2016 08:26 |
To achieve that sort of level of incompetence takes real teamwork. |
| Benn Kempster 09.10.2016 10:56 |
Doctorates in space dust and degrees in dentistry are a must for having studied hard enough to know just how to stuff up. |
| Pokemaniacjunk 09.10.2016 13:04 |
Greg brooks if you return you should plan or mention a release for the marquee next year as a 45 year anniversary its a win win since jesus was played live its sure to be bought by queen fans and it would make for a good christmas release |
| brians wig 09.10.2016 14:00 |
Benn Kempster wrote: GB can't be responsible for the continual level of incompetence? Only the band and Jim Beach can be at fault here and have their decision-making questioned.Of course he's not responsible in anyway. His job is to catalogue the archive and present ideas (in collaboration with a couple of other people) for future releases. That is as far as Greg's association goes (with the exception of them writing notes for what does eventually come out). One thing you do learn from his Convention talks is that by the time a release does come out, it's far less than the original idea, and that's down to B, R, Jim and then the record company. No one should put any blame on GB for any of the poor releases. |
| Doga 09.10.2016 19:39 |
brians wig wrote: No one should put any blame on GB for any of the poor releases.Thing is, i don't think the releases are that poor (the live shows, not the endless compilations), most of them are good but they have to polish the details. This On Air with the BBC tracks is perfect, but the deluxe content is so tacky. 3CDs of chopped interviews and bits of different shows in 1 CD is really an excercise of bad taste. If instead of the actual product Queen On AIr had only one edition with a 3CD release of the BBC tracks and the complete Golders Green most of the fans will be more than happy. The difference is not that much, just minor details, but minor details are the key between something good and something brilliant. |
| cmsdrums 10.10.2016 02:56 |
Doga wrote: This On Air with the BBC tracks is perfect...Except it isn't, if you believe Greg's previously published article that March of the Black Queen had some vocal ad libs and was remixed, yet it isn't on this set. I will also reserve judgement on "perfect" until I hear the mix and edits that are on 'On Air' too. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 10.10.2016 19:38 |
YourValentine wrote: I would not hold my breath for GB to return to this thread and answer questions. After all, he did open it to promote the 3D book and his live book which was not an issue on the Dutch Queendag. It's just a part of the game. Look at what GB says about the "On Air" release: it has the six BBC sessions plus "some other surprises". Since there has been the press release in the mean time, we already know about the "surprises" and can wonder if GB really thinks there is a surprise fans should be happy about or if he is having a private joke about the nature of this surprise. Either way I can only recommend to stop hoping for the band to change their ways. It's obvious that the remaining two members have no interest in the roots and artistic history of their own music and no interest in their most loyal fans, so we should reconsider this loyalty and maybe follow the example and give up our expectations. If the only incitement for the band is money and how they can market more of the same. we should care more about our money and not waste it on this second class crap.GB: YourValentine... I would suggest that you wait until you have QUEEN ON AIR in your hands, and in your CD player or on your turntable (however you choose to listen to it) and only THEN make up your mind on the content - you can offer an informed opinion then. It's surely better than the largely fruitless speculation you're involved in here. If you were going out for a Chinese meal this coming Saturday night, would you come to QZ in the meantime, five days in advance, and guess as to the quality of the chicken you haven't tasted yet? That would surely be a non-sensical thing to do, and yet you're doing the same with the Queen product you have yet to purchase. You may find the sweet'n'sour chicken contains ingredients you did not expect and that it tastes better than you expected when you were guessing how it would taste! |
| GB: Queen Archivist 10.10.2016 19:49 |
To Vali, who wrote... For the very first time in my life I won't be buying a Queen release like a blind zombie just for the sake of keeping my collection complete. GB: Quite right. Why would you? Why would anyone buy ANYTHING "like a blind zombie just for the sake of keeping my collection complete" ? |
| GB: Queen Archivist 10.10.2016 19:54 |
soxtalon wrote: Perhaps people are being respectful because he has been respectful in this thread?GB: Yes soxtalon, exactly. Thank you for pointing out this to the people to whom obvious things seem not to occur. In the past I have been rude or impolite or disrespectful only to people who were rude or impolite or disrespectful to me. And I stand by that. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 10.10.2016 20:31 |
Benn Kempster wrote: The more civil the approach to Greg, the likelier he is to return. Although he does come across as a delicate little flower at times, its hardly surprising he's here so infrequently. I've been as guilty as anyone in the past at hauling him over coals, but, surely, even GB can't be responsible for the continual level of incompetence? Only the band and Jim Beach can be at fault here and have their decision-making questioned.GB: Hi Benn K. Some your points intrigued me... BK: The more civil the approach to Greg, the likelier he is to return.... GB: Yes this is generally true. But sometimes it's a simple question of being bored. Sometimes the tone and 'vibe' on QZ is so similar in so many threads - almost every other thread I read; the same tired predictable moaning or slagging someone off, that I find it too tedious to endure for more than a day or two at a time. It genuinely staggers me how so many of you put up with it over a sustained period. I feel like I need to rush out of the building for fresh air. Yes, I'm more likely to respond to respectful people than to ignorant or rude persons that already have their opinion fixed about me before they even ask their question or make any point - which would be tedious for anyone, surely, not just me. I cannot be bothered with such people, no more than they can with me. That shouldn't be a surprise. BK: Although he does come across as a delicate little flower at times, its hardly surprising he's here so infrequently.... GB: I can be sensitive sometimes, over-sensitive too, like most people. I generally have more shit aimed at me on QZ than most other people do, and that is predictable because generally there are a lot of resentful or envious or jealous or bitter (call it what you like) people out there that have no, or very little, voice at home or in their place of work, so come to this forum to vent at someone else... invariably me, if I'm around. That's not an issue for me like it might have been a decade ago because I have a thick skin. I've said before: I give as good as I get. No more, no less. I don't take it seriously. It's only a Queen chat forum, it's not a life or death situation. It's not a problem if people want to blame me for everything put out in the name of Queen that they perceive as wrong or bad. As long as the people close to me know the real score; my family, friends, work colleagues, that's all that concerns me. And they do. BK: I've been as guilty as anyone in the past at hauling him over coals... GB: I never mind constructive comment from you or anyone, Benn. People are entitled to their opinion of course, as am I. I occasionally take exception when certain morons on QZ come at me with their clearly biassed views and with their opinions already made up, regardless of what I reply... so what's the point in me offering a reply in that scenario? No point. So invariably I don't bother. Would you? And then they get even more shitty and resentful and wonder why I bugger off. Of course I bugger off from here a lot. That is the sensible thing to do. More of you should do so. This is generally not a happy or uplifting place to be. I would liken it sometimes to a dental surgery, in that you might learn something useful or necessary if you can stick around long enough, but generally you'd rather be some place else - where the sun is shining and the conversation stirs you, lifts your spirits - rather than smashes your spirit under foot. There really are some negative people on QZ and I find their collective vibe oppressive from time to time - or just plain draining. I'd rather be out walking my dog. I don't get why you guys stay down here in the dark for so long. You need to get to a brighter place. I'm always up for a constructive exchange of views, but only if people appreciate that, unlike them, I cannot talk about everything I'd like to. I have to be discrete and be guarded in what I can impart. Why should that be so hard for so many QZ-ers to fathom? |
| GB: Queen Archivist 10.10.2016 20:43 |
cmsdrums wrote:GB: Black Queen is absent from QOA because it was the standard familiar album version broadcast on air, NOT a newly recorded BBC session alternative. I was wrong to say that it was different... it just sounded different on the knackered old cassette version I had back in the late 80s which was the recording I wrote about... and which ran slightly too slow and offered a rather strange take of Black Queen which did NOT sound much like the Q2 cut... but it was.Doga wrote: This On Air with the BBC tracks is perfect...Except it isn't, if you believe Greg's previously published article that March of the Black Queen had some vocal ad libs and was remixed, yet it isn't on this set. I will also reserve judgement on "perfect" until I hear the mix and edits that are on 'On Air' too. If there WAS a BBC session version, of course we would have featured it on Queen On Air. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 10.10.2016 20:57 |
YourValentine wrote: It's obvious that the remaining two members have no interest in the roots and artistic history of their own music and no interest in their most loyal fans, so we should reconsider this loyalty and maybe follow the example and give up our expectations.GB: This is precisely what I was taking about elsewhere in this thread. You've been saying things like this for years and years, YourValentine, and yet here you still are, still saying it, and no doubt you'll still be saying the same things again in the future, and still you'll be here, with no plans to change anything. When will you make the change you so frequently endorse, I wonder. Sounds to me like such a break would be beneficial to your heavy and disillusioned soul. |
| Sebastian 10.10.2016 22:16 |
GB: Queen Archivist wrote: GB: Black Queen is absent from QOA because it was the standard familiar album version broadcast on air, NOT a newly recorded BBC session alternative. I was wrong to say that it was different... it just sounded different on the knackered old cassette version I had back in the late 80s which was the recording I wrote about... and which ran slightly too slow and offered a rather strange take of Black Queen which did NOT sound much like the Q2 cut... but it was. If there WAS a BBC session version, of course we would have featured it on Queen On Air.Thank you very much for clearing that one up. There's nothing wrong with having made an honest mistake years ago (we've all been guilty of that) and nothing wrong with changing your stance once you've had access to better sources. |
| thomasquinn 32989 11.10.2016 00:28 |
Greg: do you understand that many long-time fans feel, at the very least, mocked by the *fact* that over the past years, the kinds of live-releases fans were asking for were dismissed as not interesting to a general public, only to be faced with a box-set for Queen On Air that is interesting only to the most devoted fans, being 50% interview material? Don't get me wrong - I'm very happy with the 2cd with the, apparently complete, BBC Sessions, it's something I've been waiting for literally for years. I was also VERY happy with the Rainbow set, and I bought the big box to show my enthousiasm for these kinds of releases. But I cannot comprehend why a 6cd deluxe edition of the BBC sessions is supplemented with one disc with *butchered* concert recordings (come on Greg, snippets from THREE concerts on one disc?) and THREE discs with interviews. Are interviews interesting? Absolutely. Are any but the most devoted fans going to listen to them more than a few times? Absolutely not. You complain about a lot of the comments you get on QZ. I get that, and you're not wrong. But you (or the people you answer to, I don't know what you do and do not communicate) are also ignoring valuable input from not just fans, but some of the most knowledgeable and competent Queen-fans in the world. We have people on this site who have done much documentary work and research into many aspects of Queen's history, people who work wonders on restoring bootleg recordings and much more. You (meaning everyone at Queen Productions, not just you personally) could benefit greatly from what we have to offer, but you choose not to, and instead lump everyone on the "moaning-trolls" pile. Moreover, QueenZone offers you a very good look at your fan-base. The heavily-moderated QOL does not give you as honest an insight into what moves your potential customers. You might not always like what you see, but it is unwise to ignore unwelcome truths. Please, in the future, use the fan-base to your advantage. Find out what kind of additional material would make them buy deluxe box-sets of releases that would, in their basic form, appeal to a general public. Many other great bands are currently outperforming Queen with the quality of their releases. Archival materials of all kinds are in vogue now. Were the Freddie-box released today, it would be a hot item, but 3 discs of interviews are not. But now you are at risk of missing out on this wave of popularity for these kinds of releases. It is unlikely to last forever. |
| GinjaNinja 11.10.2016 00:35 |
Seeing as you've returned Greg, any chance you could address my Rainbow query? If you do, I promise that I'll stop spamming it in every thread in which you post ;)
GinjaNinja wrote: Thanks for taking the time to answer some queries Greg, are you allowed to say why Big Spender/Bama Lama Bama Loo from the March Rainbow show weren't included on the release? Are there rights issues with the latter, as I notice it is one of the Golders Green tracks which also won't be on "On Air"? If you're able to suggest it at any point, a Crazy Tour box with a Hammersmith DVD & Newcastle on CD would pretty much be my dream release… |
| mooghead 11.10.2016 01:37 |
If I was Queen Archivist I would give you load of moaning wingers fuck all. Throw you a few scraps now and then and watch you all combust. |
| mooghead 11.10.2016 01:38 |
mooghead wrote: If I was Queen Archivist I would give you load of moaning whingers fuck all. Throw you a few scraps now and then and watch you all combust. |
| cmsdrums 11.10.2016 02:05 |
GB: Queen Archivist wrote:Thanks Greg - good to finally 'put this one to bed'.cmsdrums wrote:GB: Black Queen is absent from QOA because it was the standard familiar album version broadcast on air, NOT a newly recorded BBC session alternative. I was wrong to say that it was different... it just sounded different on the knackered old cassette version I had back in the late 80s which was the recording I wrote about... and which ran slightly too slow and offered a rather strange take of Black Queen which did NOT sound much like the Q2 cut... but it was. If there WAS a BBC session version, of course we would have featured it on Queen On Air.Doga wrote: This On Air with the BBC tracks is perfect...Except it isn't, if you believe Greg's previously published article that March of the Black Queen had some vocal ad libs and was remixed, yet it isn't on this set. I will also reserve judgement on "perfect" until I hear the mix and edits that are on 'On Air' too. |
| Viper 11.10.2016 03:25 |
thx a lot Greg! question answered! |
| brians wig 11.10.2016 03:30 |
GB: Queen Archivist wrote: GB: Black Queen is absent from QOA because it was the standard familiar album version broadcast on air, NOT a newly recorded BBC session alternative. I was wrong to say that it was different... it just sounded different on the knackered old cassette version I had back in the late 80s which was the recording I wrote about... and which ran slightly too slow and offered a rather strange take of Black Queen which did NOT sound much like the Q2 cut... but it was.Now THIS is the sort of information we'd like to hear from QPL. |
| brians wig 11.10.2016 03:41 |
Greg: A few weeks ago, someone here who purports to be "in the know", commented that it would be worth us buying both the 6 CD set AND the 2 CD set, suggesting that there were differences. Is this the case? Ideally I'd like to discover that whilst the 2CD set contains the songs, the 6 CD set also contains all the inbetween DJ banter (if it exists - which we know it at least does for Session 5) |
| YourValentine 11.10.2016 03:49 |
GB: Queen Archivist wrote:I did make the change, thanks for worrying about my mental state. I will still voice my opinion if that is okay for you.YourValentine wrote: It's obvious that the remaining two members have no interest in the roots and artistic history of their own music and no interest in their most loyal fans, so we should reconsider this loyalty and maybe follow the example and give up our expectations.GB: This is precisely what I was taking about elsewhere in this thread. You've been saying things like this for years and years, YourValentine, and yet here you still are, still saying it, and no doubt you'll still be saying the same things again in the future, and still you'll be here, with no plans to change anything. When will you make the change you so frequently endorse, I wonder. Sounds to me like such a break would be beneficial to your heavy and disillusioned soul. |
| Togg 11.10.2016 06:06 |
Greg, I'd be interested to know (and I fully appreciate it's only your view not the 'official' stance from the band) Why after all these years the 'band' feel it's not worth doing/a priority/enough interest in producing more 70's DVD's? Is it that they are not happy with the performance? not happy with the quality of the recording? or feel not enough money will be generated by sales to make it worth investing in production? It's the one thing older fans have been screaming for over the years, yet it always seem to be disregarded by QP However the 74 DVD's were hugely popular with fans, surely they see that 77-9 gigs would be also? Just asking for your viewpoint on this really, I realise it's out of your control |
| Fastidious and Precise 11.10.2016 11:11 |
Being that the band are such perfectionists, surely they would want the best possible visual and audio representation of their various seventies gigs apart from the below par bootleg footage and audio thats floating around. Its always baffled me. We're so into the quality of our product but we're happy for you to watch some of our best gigs in crap substandard quality online. |
| Hutchence 11.10.2016 11:49 |
Greg, could you please answer why were three live shows crammed into one disc ?! Even Golders Green Hippodrome show isn't in its entirety let alone Sao Paulo or Mannheim... IMO, it was a horrible horrible decision. I am quite positive that all of us would be very happy to get just the GGH concert as long as it was complete. Looking forward to your answer. Thank you |
| . 11.10.2016 13:14 |
Should have just kept it to a triple CD release with Golders Green (no other concert fragments or interviews) As it stands, the 6 CD release is a complete mess. I don't need it in front of me to know that. |
| que.123 12.10.2016 09:10 |
mooghead wrote: If I was Queen Archivist I would give you load of moaning wingers fuck all. Throw you a few scraps now and then and watch you all combust.Come on Mooghead you're just quoting from the official QPL mission statement: "give those moaning wingers fuck all, just throw them a few scraps now and then"! |
| The Real Wizard 12.10.2016 12:01 |
Fastidious and Precise wrote: Being that the band are such perfectionists, surely they would want the best possible visual and audio representation of their various seventies gigs apart from the below par bootleg footage and audio thats floating around. Its always baffled me. We're so into the quality of our product but we're happy for you to watch some of our best gigs in crap substandard quality online.^ this, this, THIS ! People will find it on YouTube anyway, and the "substandard" copy in the Queen archive is nowhere near as bad as what millions of viewers have already seen and will continue to see. It simply defies all logic. We are now in the age of the box set. These things won't be marketable forever. Queen are lagging far behind artists like Springsteen, King Crimson and Pink Floyd, never mind the Grateful Dead and their 50 disc box sets. QPL need to realize what their customers actually want, and being aware of what other bands are doing would be a reasonably good start. It would be nothing short of tragic if tapes of all these great bands would rot away in an attic. |
| RStanton 12.10.2016 12:42 |
que.123 wrote:Ha ha ... very true, they are throwing us scraps.mooghead wrote: If I was Queen Archivist I would give you load of moaning wingers fuck all. Throw you a few scraps now and then and watch you all combust.Come on Mooghead you're just quoting from the official QPL mission statement: "give those moaning wingers fuck all, just throw them a few scraps now and then"! Apart from a handful of songs the BBC sessions have already been officially released (1989 At The Beeb, 2011 Remasters bonus disks and "The Sun" free giveaway) not to mention the fact that we have all had them for years in excellent quality thanks to the famous share that occurred from a well known collector. They then try and flog us incomplete concerts when we all have them complete in our collections, you couldn't make it up. OK they may have done some remastering, they may have increased Freddie's vocal on Golders Green but there is not enough there to make me want to buy it. |
| Sue Dounim 12.10.2016 15:07 |
What I don't understand is with the plethora of soundboards/multitracks sitting wherever Brian/QPL has them stored, coupled with how EASY it is to find concerts in that collection worth releasing given the bands extremely high ability to give amazing performances, why has QPL not gone a similar route The Doors have with their Bright Midnite Archive releases? Cleaning up/remastering the sound the best they can and releasing shows with nice but economical packaging with the occasional deluxe boxset here and there. It's fucking Queen so they'd definitely make a killing. The sound doesnt have to be perfect. Hell the first thing I ever got from The Doors' BMA stuff was Live in Vancouver 1970. That's just a stage recording! I was 16 or 17 at the time and I was certainly no audiophile and I loved it all the same. There's no reason why a band as prolific as Queen cant do the same. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 13.10.2016 06:18 |
thomasquinn 32989 wrote: Greg: do you understand that many long-time fans feel, at the very least, mocked by the *fact* that over the past years, the kinds of live-releases fans were asking for were dismissed as not interesting to a general public, only to be faced with a box-set for Queen On Air that is interesting only to the most devoted fans, being 50% interview material? Don't get me wrong - I'm very happy with the 2cd with the, apparently complete, BBC Sessions, it's something I've been waiting for literally for years. I was also VERY happy with the Rainbow set, and I bought the big box to show my enthousiasm for these kinds of releases. But I cannot comprehend why a 6cd deluxe edition of the BBC sessions is supplemented with one disc with *butchered* concert recordings (come on Greg, snippets from THREE concerts on one disc?) and THREE discs with interviews. Are interviews interesting? Absolutely. Are any but the most devoted fans going to listen to them more than a few times? Absolutely not. You complain about a lot of the comments you get on QZ. I get that, and you're not wrong. But you (or the people you answer to, I don't know what you do and do not communicate) are also ignoring valuable input from not just fans, but some of the most knowledgeable and competent Queen-fans in the world. We have people on this site who have done much documentary work and research into many aspects of Queen's history, people who work wonders on restoring bootleg recordings and much more. You (meaning everyone at Queen Productions, not just you personally) could benefit greatly from what we have to offer, but you choose not to, and instead lump everyone on the "moaning-trolls" pile. Moreover, QueenZone offers you a very good look at your fan-base. The heavily-moderated QOL does not give you as honest an insight into what moves your potential customers. You might not always like what you see, but it is unwise to ignore unwelcome truths. Please, in the future, use the fan-base to your advantage. Find out what kind of additional material would make them buy deluxe box-sets of releases that would, in their basic form, appeal to a general public. Many other great bands are currently outperforming Queen with the quality of their releases. Archival materials of all kinds are in vogue now. Were the Freddie-box released today, it would be a hot item, but 3 discs of interviews are not. But now you are at risk of missing out on this wave of popularity for these kinds of releases. It is unlikely to last forever. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 13.10.2016 06:21 |
GinjaNinja wrote: Seeing as you've returned Greg, any chance you could address my Rainbow query? If you do, I promise that I'll stop spamming it in every thread in which you post ;)GB: I honestly cannot recall the details now. It would have been a band decision, certainly not mine. I know that we tried very hard to offer as much as was possible on that Rainbow package.GinjaNinja wrote: Thanks for taking the time to answer some queries Greg, are you allowed to say why Big Spender/Bama Lama Bama Loo from the March Rainbow show weren't included on the release? Are there rights issues with the latter, as I notice it is one of the Golders Green tracks which also won't be on "On Air"? If you're able to suggest it at any point, a Crazy Tour box with a Hammersmith DVD & Newcastle on CD would pretty much be my dream release… |
| GB: Queen Archivist 13.10.2016 06:23 |
mooghead wrote: If I was Queen Archivist I would give you load of moaning wingers fuck all. Throw you a few scraps now and then and watch you all combust.GB: Moorhead, you sound like a charming fellow. I have some pieces of pork leftovers and some stale bread crusts here. Come and get them. I'll save them for you. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 13.10.2016 06:25 |
YourValentine wrote:GB: Hmmmm! Well, if you must!GB: Queen Archivist wrote:I did make the change, thanks for worrying about my mental state. I will still voice my opinion if that is okay for you.YourValentine wrote: It's obvious that the remaining two members have no interest in the roots and artistic history of their own music and no interest in their most loyal fans, so we should reconsider this loyalty and maybe follow the example and give up our expectations.GB: This is precisely what I was taking about elsewhere in this thread. You've been saying things like this for years and years, YourValentine, and yet here you still are, still saying it, and no doubt you'll still be saying the same things again in the future, and still you'll be here, with no plans to change anything. When will you make the change you so frequently endorse, I wonder. Sounds to me like such a break would be beneficial to your heavy and disillusioned soul. |
| . 13.10.2016 07:35 |
I see you quoted thomasquinn 32989, but do you have a reply for him? |
| joerijoerijoeri 13.10.2016 07:40 |
yeah i'd like to see your reply to that too. thanks |
| Benn Kempster 13.10.2016 08:46 |
GB, re: >> I cannot talk about everything I'd like to. I have to be discrete and be guarded in what I can impart. Are you able to elaborate on the following at all? 1 - Can you outline what the ORIGINAL concept was for the set that is to be released as "On Air"? Was that simply focussed on BBC recordings and / or appearances? 2 - Who conceptualises the artwork these days; does it get run past the band still prior to release or are things railroaded through due to schedules etc? 2 - When was a retrospective studio rarities box set last put to Jim and what reasons are being given as to why its still not felt appropriate to release such a set when this type of release in an industry standard? >>Why should that be so hard for so many QZ-ers to fathom? Its not and it isn't. Really. |
| on my way up 13.10.2016 09:54 |
I think these very fair questions deserve very fair answers. It's not "moaners" asking questions, it's very decent people who happen to love this band deeply but feel that in no way the full potential int erms of product is reached. This is sad, both artistically and commercially (unfortunately they seem to think they're doing the right thing "commercially") Thanks in advance to Greg for taking some time to address the serious and polite posts. |
| on my way up 13.10.2016 10:07 |
The Real Wizard wrote:Funny you mention Springsteen.Fastidious and Precise wrote: Being that the band are such perfectionists, surely they would want the best possible visual and audio representation of their various seventies gigs apart from the below par bootleg footage and audio thats floating around. Its always baffled me. We're so into the quality of our product but we're happy for you to watch some of our best gigs in crap substandard quality online.^ this, this, THIS ! People will find it on YouTube anyway, and the "substandard" copy in the Queen archive is nowhere near as bad as what millions of viewers have already seen and will continue to see. It simply defies all logic. We are now in the age of the box set. These things won't be marketable forever. Queen are lagging far behind artists like Springsteen, King Crimson and Pink Floyd, never mind the Grateful Dead and their 50 disc box sets. QPL need to realize what their customers actually want, and being aware of what other bands are doing would be a reasonably good start. It would be nothing short of tragic if tapes of all these great bands would rot away in an attic. Bruce was actually inspired to make all the great stuff available after seeing inferior material on youtube. See this link:link Queen could easily do the same. Much better than launching the "top 100 bootlegs" would have been to release - for example - the 25 best (raw, even mono!!) soundboards (of shows not available yet of course). Release 3 each year for example, each from different years and do it through the website in the same formats as Bruce does. This forum would be on fire with such product happening and the anticipation to see what unknown show would be released next would make for lively debate on this forum. |
| . 13.10.2016 11:13 |
Great idea, so no doubt it will be ignored. |
| Togg 14.10.2016 04:52 |
Togg wrote: Greg, I'd be interested to know (and I fully appreciate it's only your view not the 'official' stance from the band) Why after all these years the 'band' feel it's not worth doing/a priority/enough interest in producing more 70's DVD's? Is it that they are not happy with the performance? not happy with the quality of the recording? or feel not enough money will be generated by sales to make it worth investing in production? It's the one thing older fans have been screaming for over the years, yet it always seem to be disregarded by QP However the 74 DVD's were hugely popular with fans, surely they see that 77-9 gigs would be also? Just asking for your viewpoint on this really, I realise it's out of your control I'm guessing as you didn't answer this Greg, it's one of the issue you have to be descreet on? fair enough if that's the case, I understand the need to be loyal to your employer. |
| MackMantilla 14.10.2016 16:13 |
GB: Queen Archivist wrote: GB: I honestly cannot recall the details now. It would have been a band decision, certainly not mine. I know that we tried very hard to offer as much as was possible on that Rainbow package.By the way, any news about the lost footage from march show at The Rainbow? |
| pma 15.10.2016 14:41 |
It's a good thing that there's one thing I can count on throughout the years, and that's Queen not giving their fan base the releases they crave for. Oh well, I haven't bought anything for the past 10 years. I'm clearly not part of their target group. Wake me up for the promised box sets, remember those? /member berries |
| thomasquinn 32989 20.10.2016 06:12 |
*bump* Greg, we'd still like to know what you intended to write in reply to my post. |
| The Fairy King 20.10.2016 06:30 |
thomasquinn 32989 wrote: *bump* Greg, we'd still like to know what you intended to write in reply to my post.Maybe he just QFT'd. :) |
| GB: Queen Archivist 21.10.2016 17:09 |
thomasquinn 32989 wrote: *bump* Greg, we'd still like to know what you intended to write in reply to my post.GB: Oh !!! I don't know what happened there. I did write a reply, under each point, and then pasted it up... or so I thought. That's annoying. I'm clearly not very good at this posting/replying stuff. As a matter of fact, I noticed a week or so after I offered this thread, that the lower third of it is missing. I did not notice that at the time, obviously, I just noticed that it ended abruptly and didn't contain several points that I made which some QZ-ers later asked about. I'll pay closer attention next time I post. I'll see if I can recall what I originally replied and offer it in a minute or two... |
| GB: Queen Archivist 21.10.2016 17:33 |
thomasquinn 32989 wrote: *bump* Greg, we'd still like to know what you intended to write in reply to my post. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 21.10.2016 17:33 |
thomasquinn 32989 wrote: *bump* Greg, we'd still like to know what you intended to write in reply to my post.GB: I'll try again... thomasquinn 32989 wrote: Thomas: Greg: do you understand that many long-time fans feel, at the very least, mocked by the *fact* that over the past years, the kinds of live-releases fans were asking for were dismissed as not interesting to a general public, only to be faced with a box-set for Queen On Air that is interesting only to the most devoted fans, being 50% interview material? GB: I think 'mocked' is a bit strong, because we've released some extremely good live product in recent years, and we've done it properly and carefully. And now we have the 6 sessions together for the first time ever, meticulously assembled by people that care hugely. And we have 3.5 hours of interesting interviews too, which was/is a significant aspect of the Queen ON AIR story which shouldn't be ignored. I think the devoted fans are doing all right. I honestly do. Thomas ....But I cannot comprehend why a 6cd deluxe edition of the BBC sessions is supplemented with one disc with *butchered* concert recordings (come on Greg, snippets from THREE concerts on one disc?) and THREE discs with interviews. Are interviews interesting? Absolutely. Are any but the most devoted fans going to listen to them more than a few times? Absolutely not. GB: The live CD is very far from butchered. You need to wait till you hear it before panning it. The disc offers a sample of three interesting concerts that we would not otherwise have. Would you really want the entire Mannheim gig in addition to both Wembley nights and Budapest? Thomas: You complain about a lot of the comments you get on QZ. I get that, and you're not wrong. But you (or the people you answer to, I don't know what you do and do not communicate) are also ignoring valuable input from not just fans, but some of the most knowledgeable and competent Queen-fans in the world. We have people on this site who have done much documentary work and research into many aspects of Queen's history, people who work wonders on restoring bootleg recordings and much more. You (meaning everyone at Queen Productions, not just you personally) could benefit greatly from what we have to offer, but you choose not to, and instead lump everyone on the "moaning-trolls" pile. GB: I am very well aware that there are some extremely knowledgeable fans and experts on QZ. For sure. I've consulted with several people here over the years, and continue to. But I do so privately. There are some great Queen brains here and we do definitely tap into that resource - as I did recently in Montreux and in Holland. I ask people not to come onto QZ and shout about it and they respect that. Otherwise I might get in to deep water. Thomas: Many other great bands are currently outperforming Queen with the quality of their releases. Archival materials of all kinds are in vogue now. Were the Freddie-box released today, it would be a hot item, but 3 discs of interviews are not. But now you are at risk of missing out on this wave of popularity for these kinds of releases. It is unlikely to last forever. GB: This isn't really for me to comment on. This is something that the band and record company discuss. I have very little influence on the types of formats we put out, versus those of other artists. I will say this, I think the Freddie box we just put out is very slick and compact, and looks great. Same goes for the QOA products, for the Rainbow products, Hammersmith DVD, Studio Experience box. They are DIFFERENT, maybe, to what others are doing, but surely it's a matter of taste as to which are best and who's 'out performing' who. Queen perform extremely well in the market place. That's a subjective thing too. Hope this helps. GB |
| BETA215 21.10.2016 18:10 |
Wow. |
| Fireplace 21.10.2016 20:47 |
GB: Queen Archivist wrote:Comprehensive and very clear. Thank you for answering that.thomasquinn 32989 wrote: *bump* Greg, we'd still like to know what you intended to write in reply to my post.GB: I'll try again... thomasquinn 32989 wrote: Thomas: Greg: do you understand that many long-time fans feel, at the very least, mocked by the *fact* that over the past years, the kinds of live-releases fans were asking for were dismissed as not interesting to a general public, only to be faced with a box-set for Queen On Air that is interesting only to the most devoted fans, being 50% interview material? GB: I think 'mocked' is a bit strong, because we've released some extremely good live product in recent years, and we've done it properly and carefully. And now we have the 6 sessions together for the first time ever, meticulously assembled by people that care hugely. And we have 3.5 hours of interesting interviews too, which was/is a significant aspect of the Queen ON AIR story which shouldn't be ignored. I think the devoted fans are doing all right. I honestly do. Thomas ....But I cannot comprehend why a 6cd deluxe edition of the BBC sessions is supplemented with one disc with *butchered* concert recordings (come on Greg, snippets from THREE concerts on one disc?) and THREE discs with interviews. Are interviews interesting? Absolutely. Are any but the most devoted fans going to listen to them more than a few times? Absolutely not. GB: The live CD is very far from butchered. You need to wait till you hear it before panning it. The disc offers a sample of three interesting concerts that we would not otherwise have. Would you really want the entire Mannheim gig in addition to both Wembley nights and Budapest? Thomas: You complain about a lot of the comments you get on QZ. I get that, and you're not wrong. But you (or the people you answer to, I don't know what you do and do not communicate) are also ignoring valuable input from not just fans, but some of the most knowledgeable and competent Queen-fans in the world. We have people on this site who have done much documentary work and research into many aspects of Queen's history, people who work wonders on restoring bootleg recordings and much more. You (meaning everyone at Queen Productions, not just you personally) could benefit greatly from what we have to offer, but you choose not to, and instead lump everyone on the "moaning-trolls" pile. GB: I am very well aware that there are some extremely knowledgeable fans and experts on QZ. For sure. I've consulted with several people here over the years, and continue to. But I do so privately. There are some great Queen brains here and we do definitely tap into that resource - as I did recently in Montreux and in Holland. I ask people not to come onto QZ and shout about it and they respect that. Otherwise I might get in to deep water. Thomas: Many other great bands are currently outperforming Queen with the quality of their releases. Archival materials of all kinds are in vogue now. Were the Freddie-box released today, it would be a hot item, but 3 discs of interviews are not. But now you are at risk of missing out on this wave of popularity for these kinds of releases. It is unlikely to last forever. GB: This isn't really for me to comment on. This is something that the band and record company discuss. I have very little influence on the types of formats we put out, versus those of other artists. I will say this, I think the Freddie box we just put out is very slick and compact, and looks great. Same goes for the QOA products, for the Rainbow products, Hammersmith DVD, Studio Experience box. They are DIFFERENT, maybe, to what others are doing, but surely it's a matter of taste as to which are best and who's 'out performing' who. Queen perform extremely well in the market place. That's a subjective thing too. Hope this helps. GB |
| on my way up 22.10.2016 01:13 |
Thanks for your reply, Greg. We now have confirmation that we can stop hoping for the rarities we know exist. Not just the studio outtakes and demos but also all the unheard Queen live stuff. After years of hoping for things like ever hearing LA 22-12-1977 or more Crazy tour recordings... I can now leave that behind me. I just think - and this is in no way a personal attack but just an observation - that it is better not to inform us about what we're not getting anyway. All that carrot dangling with no carrots (a true carrot being delivered would be releasing a complete unheard seventies show) being delivered may now STOP. |
| cmsdrums 22.10.2016 03:15 |
Hi Greg: putting aside the actual right or wrong principal of the "butchering" of the three gigs on the live cd, once the decision was made to amalgamate all three gigs, who had the final say on the absolutely insipid track listing? Presumably the band? Are there technical aspects with the tapes that meant some of the tracks we don't yet have official live versions of (Need Your Loving Tonight, Rock It being two examples) couldn't be used? I'm sure you can sense some disappointment in us getting vocal ad libs, several covers, and GSTQ instead? |
| Holly2003 22.10.2016 08:03 |
"Would you really want the entire Mannheim gig in addition to both Wembley nights and Budapest? " Absolutely yes. Better one complete concert given a professional release than highlights of 3 concerts. I'm not sure why you and the band don't appreciate why dedicated fans would prefer this. Better still, release all three concerts in full and provide download links to the interviews for those who want them. You would have my money definitely. |
| Chief Mouse 22.10.2016 08:28 |
Holly2003 wrote: "Would you really want the entire Mannheim gig in addition to both Wembley nights and Budapest? " Absolutely yes. Better one complete concert given a professional release than highlights of 3 concerts. I'm not sure why you and the band don't appreciate why dedicated fans would prefer this. Better still, release all three concerts in full and provide download links to the interviews for those who want them. You would have my money definitely. I'd rather Sao Paulo though. We have Mannheim in pretty darn great quality already. |
| GB: Queen Archivist 22.10.2016 21:42 |
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| GB: Queen Archivist 22.10.2016 21:42 |
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| GB: Queen Archivist 22.10.2016 21:44 |
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| . 23.10.2016 06:18 |
Is that the next three Blu-Ray releases from the seventies? |
| rocknrolllover 23.10.2016 06:42 |
The Kurgan wrote: Is that the next three Blu-Ray releases from the seventies?Are there any prerequisites for this? I dont think so we can get only anotherrrrr one Wembley |