QueenZone discussion #1483073

Michael Allred wrote: Queen, unlike virtually any other band of their ilk, stick with the misguided idea that people (certainly not fans) cannot handle anything not on a greatest hits album. The Stones, Springsteen, and so on play virtually everything from their catalog. Deep album cuts, b sides, covers, you name it. Queen are either scared of, embarrassed of, or not confident enough in their own tried and true catalog.

SweetCaroline wrote: Adam honors him and gives the spotlight to him more than Freddie did.

The Real Wizard wrote: It wasn't nearly as spontaneous as we'd like to think. It was choreographed to the Nth degree - because it worked then, and it works now.

SweetCaroline wrote: It's LIVE, doesn't that make it dangerous?

cmsdrums wrote:

The Real Wizard wrote: It wasn't nearly as spontaneous as we'd like to think. It was choreographed to the Nth degree - because it worked then, and it works now.

Which is why it's annoying bollocks that Brian trots out about them being 'dangerous, spontaneous, risky etc'!!!

SweetCaroline wrote: Pimp the shows? What kind of Brian and Roger fan are you? Their time to tour may be coming to an end!

SweetCaroline wrote: That's right! They are not Queen! They are Queen + Adam Lambert which is anything but boring! Whatever they decide to include in their future shows is fine with me because they know best!

The Real Wizard wrote: These guys are smarter than most people on forums like this will ever give them credit for.

JomaDuckSoup wrote:

The Real Wizard wrote: These guys are smarter than most people on forums like this will ever give them credit for.

That's true!

The Real Wizard wrote: Name one artist commercially successful in 1975 who survived the 1980s by making albums instead of singles. Hell, we can't even name five artists commercially successful in 1975 who survived the 1980s at all.

The Real Wizard wrote:

Michael Allred wrote: Queen, unlike virtually any other band of their ilk, stick with the misguided idea that people (certainly not fans) cannot handle anything not on a greatest hits album. The Stones, Springsteen, and so on play virtually everything from their catalog. Deep album cuts, b sides, covers, you name it. Queen are either scared of, embarrassed of, or not confident enough in their own tried and true catalog.

Queen, unlike virtually any other band of their ilk, have sold more greatest hits albums than all of their studio albums combined. Who else is on this exclusive list? Abba? The Eagles? That's about it. And that's why they play so few album tracks live - because they know most people don't know them. I'm sure they loved playing It's Late, but after a few weeks they probably saw a few too many blank faces, and had to let the tunes go. The hardcore fans who know the album tracks are in the minority. Queen were an albums band for only a few years. They have been a hits band since 1980. They had to become a hits band if they were going to survive the 1980s. FM radio switched to playlists by the late 70s, and the album as a medium began to die. Name one artist commercially successful in 1975 who survived the 1980s by making albums instead of singles. When you realize you can't do that, maybe then you'll realize why Queen's show in 2017 is what it is. Hell, we can't even name five artists commercially successful in 1975 who survived the 1980s at all. I'm on your side - I wanted to hear these songs too, and so many others. But I also see the practicalities. They play it safe, because they assume that most people are seeing the show once, and they play what people know. Brian May plays his guitar solo because it's an event, and people remember events at shows far more than which obscure songs they played. The same reason why there's a drum duel instead of playing yet another obscure song. Brian walking down the catwalk. Brian doing the selfie stick thing. The vaudeville intro to Somebody To Love, and Brian and Adam walking down the catwalk during the second verse to find Roger Taylor popping up on a smaller drum kit. Events - that's what makes for a memorable show. And Queen perfected this philosophy already in 1975. It wasn't nearly as spontaneous as we'd like to think. It was choreographed to the Nth degree - because it worked then, and it works now.

Sunshine wrote:

The Real Wizard wrote: Name one artist commercially successful in 1975 who survived the 1980s by making albums instead of singles. Hell, we can't even name five artists commercially successful in 1975 who survived the 1980s at all.

I understand what you are saying but when you look like an artist like U2, it isn't true what you are saying. They are very much an album band and have been doing so during their entire career. They even have the guts to play a whole 30 year old album with many obscure tracks on the B side. It is a huge success. And of course there are many artists that survived the 70's. Just a few who come to mind are Stevie Wonder, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Rolling Stones, Paul Mc Cartney and probably more. It has all to do about guts and not the easy way out. If you do it, then do it well. 2017 is the year to celebrate News Of The World and it is just plain sad they don't have the guts to play SYW and IL. Then they should make it more interesting for the audience with visuals, audience participation or new arrangements.

SweetCaroline wrote: They had enough time to rehearse IL and SYW and performed it beautifully at 9 NA shows. Adam is a fast learner and was not the problem. They have enough new things for a wonderful show. Have to see them in person and not just on you tube! Stop complaining and enjoy!

Sunshine wrote:

The Real Wizard wrote: Name one artist commercially successful in 1975 who survived the 1980s by making albums instead of singles. Hell, we can't even name five artists commercially successful in 1975 who survived the 1980s at all.

I understand what you are saying but when you look like an artist like U2, it isn't true what you are saying. They are very much an album band and have been doing so during their entire career. They even have the guts to play a whole 30 year old album with many obscure tracks on the B side. It is a huge success. And of course there are many artists that survived the 70's. Just a few who come to mind are Stevie Wonder, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Rolling Stones, Paul Mc Cartney and probably more.

Togg wrote: I think theres a good chance It's Late and Spread your wings will be back for the UK leg, as this is a different market and they know that, but it will depend on why they dropped them?

The Real Wizard wrote:

Michael Allred wrote: Queen, unlike virtually any other band of their ilk, stick with the misguided idea that people (certainly not fans) cannot handle anything not on a greatest hits album. The Stones, Springsteen, and so on play virtually everything from their catalog. Deep album cuts, b sides, covers, you name it. Queen are either scared of, embarrassed of, or not confident enough in their own tried and true catalog.

Queen, unlike virtually any other band of their ilk, have sold more greatest hits albums than all of their studio albums combined. Who else is on this exclusive list? Abba? The Eagles? That's about it. And that's why they play so few album tracks live - because they know most people don't know them. I'm sure they loved playing It's Late, but after a few weeks they probably saw a few too many blank faces, and had to let the tunes go. The hardcore fans who know the album tracks are in the minority. Queen were an albums band for only a few years. They have been a hits band since 1980. They had to become a hits band if they were going to survive the 1980s. FM radio switched to playlists by the late 70s, and the album as a medium began to die. Name one artist commercially successful in 1975 who survived the 1980s by making albums instead of singles. When you realize you can't do that, maybe then you'll realize why Queen's show in 2017 is what it is. Hell, we can't even name five artists commercially successful in 1975 who survived the 1980s at all. I'm on your side - I wanted to hear these songs too, and so many others. But I also see the practicalities. They play it safe, because they assume that most people are seeing the show once, and they play what people know. Brian May plays his guitar solo because it's an event, and people remember events at shows far more than which obscure songs they played. The same reason why there's a drum duel instead of playing yet another obscure song. Brian walking down the catwalk. Brian doing the selfie stick thing. The vaudeville intro to Somebody To Love, and Brian and Adam walking down the catwalk during the second verse to find Roger Taylor popping up on a smaller drum kit. Events - that's what makes for a memorable show. And Queen perfected this philosophy already in 1975. It wasn't nearly as spontaneous as we'd like to think. It was choreographed to the Nth degree - because it worked then, and it works now.

RafaelS wrote: I might hurt some people, but it is what it is, I have to get it out my chest. Brian May on the guitar is only the shadow of his former self. He's not tight anymore playing guitar and solos, he has forgotten most of the things he used to play, he's plain awful in my opinion. Anyway, for me this whole Queen + thing is a complete farce.

Vocal harmony wrote:

RafaelS wrote: I might hurt some people, but it is what it is, I have to get it out my chest. Brian May on the guitar is only the shadow of his former self. He's not tight anymore playing guitar and solos, he has forgotten most of the things he used to play, he's plain awful in my opinion. Anyway, for me this whole Queen + thing is a complete farce.

Maybe you could enlighten us as to what Brian can't remember? As for Queen+ being a farce. . . Only to some of those who don't like it. Remember the Queen + "farce" began in 92 at the Freddie tribute so you're making a huge statement!

RafaelS wrote: Go look numerous video on Youtube of Brian's poor guitar playing over the last few years. He misses notes, he doesn't remember how he played the solos of a lot of songs. It was okay to do the '92 Tribute Concert but everything after was not necessary in my opinion. But anyhow, they are touring, I can't change a thing about it, so those who enjoy it, it's all fine with me.

bucsateflon wrote: you are saying stupid stuff

RafaelS wrote: Go look numerous video on Youtube of Brian's poor guitar playing over the last few years. He misses notes, he doesn't remember how he played the solos of a lot of songs. It was okay to do the '92 Tribute Concert but everything after was not necessary in my opinion. But anyhow, they are touring, I can't change a thing about it, so those who enjoy it, it's all fine with me.

RafaelS wrote: Go look numerous video on Youtube of Brian's poor guitar playing over the last few years. He misses notes, he doesn't remember how he played the solos of a lot of songs. It was okay to do the '92 Tribute Concert but everything after was not necessary in my opinion. But anyhow, they are touring, I can't change a thing about it, so those who enjoy it, it's all fine with me.

RafaelS wrote: Don't get me wrong people, Brian is one of the greatest guitar of all time, if not the best, but like Vocal Harmony has pointed it, I think the best way to describe Brian's performances nowadays would be under rehearsed.

ggo1 wrote:

RafaelS wrote: Don't get me wrong people, Brian is one of the greatest guitar of all time, if not the best, but like Vocal Harmony has pointed it, I think the best way to describe Brian's performances nowadays would be under rehearsed.

I don't think its under rehearsed, I just don't think hes as flexible as he once was and maybe a bit slower. He definitely missed more than a few notes at the Toronto show, but having said that I thoroughly enjoyed the concert and thought the guitar solo was enjoyable. Lets be honest, Brian and Roger are both getting on and neither are as good as they used to be, but they haven't become terrible. If Freddie was alive and touring as a 70 year old man, he wouldn't be hitting the notes he used to either, but I'd still want to go. There's a local singer plays shows at retirement homes round here, his name is Jumping Jimmy. He's been performing for 60 years and is in 80's now. His voice is shot and he no longer jumps except at the very end of the show when he makes a valiant attempt and gets at least 6 inches off the ground. I'm not sure what my point is, but artists like to keep performing even when they know they aren't what they used to be.