| Togg 02.03.2006 03:55 |
I have heard it said that Roger hated the album and stated so several times when it was released, does anyone knowwhat he said, and why he disliked it? Was it the recording quality, or mixing/editing or did he just not think it was a true representation of a Queen gig at that time. Anyone got any quotes? |
| goinback 02.03.2006 04:17 |
For some reason I'm thinking he didn't like the way it was mixed. He publicly disowned it. |
| Fenderek 02.03.2006 04:51 |
Well, actually the sound kind of sucks, doesn't it? I've heard better boots... |
| Togg 02.03.2006 05:00 |
goinback wrote: For some reason I'm thinking he didn't like the way it was mixed. He publicly disowned it.Well that's what I've heard but I've not seen a quote so I wonder whether it's really true? |
| Ziggy_SD 02.03.2006 06:43 |
I think most self-respecting musicians tend to look down on the live album because it does very little to represent what the live experience is all about. |
| Ayreon 02.03.2006 07:21 |
Yeah, especially when it's mostly a 'cut and paste' job from many, many concerts. see link for more details. |
| Whisperer 02.03.2006 07:43 |
Did Queen ever do anything that Roger didn't hate... |
| zaiga 02.03.2006 07:56 |
Whisperer wrote: Did Queen ever do anything that Roger didn't hate...Yeah... Drowse. |
| escuderodelareina 02.03.2006 09:17 |
yes, the sound quality is the reason. |
| Togg 02.03.2006 09:41 |
Looks like we have all heard the thing, but can anybody prove it? Around that time the press hated Queen, and it is possible it was just something they started to poke fun. I am surprised Roger would publically dis-credit something Queen had done at the time of release, we all know he didn't like the Hot Space album, however he was supportive of it at the time, itwas not until much later that he commented on it, when he couldn't effect sales much. |
| Fenderek 02.03.2006 10:25 |
Maybe he was simply voted out by the band (3:1) and feeling angry said what he said... ANYWAY- I must admit I have never seen the actual piece of interview... |
| rhyeking 02.03.2006 10:52 |
In 1982, Roger famously wrote a reply to Rolling Stone magazine's article on their South American tour. In it he said he was really proud of Queen's music, but added in brackets "not all", which I think was a nod to Live Killers and Hot Space. I think it was perfect for the foursome to not always like what one or all of the band were creating. You need those opposing forces in such artistic endeavours in order to maintain high standards and filter what may be weak ideas. I read an interview from 1984 with Brian, talking about The Works, and he said after they recorded "I Go Crazy", the other three didn't like it (though he didn't say why) and it was voted off the album. Brian held out in defense of his song and compromised with it being a non-album b-side to "Radio Ga Ga". |
| Togg 02.03.2006 10:54 |
I agree, the interband fights made Queen what they were/are, but I am just not sure that this particular statement was ever really said. And would love to see proof |
| drwinston 02.03.2006 14:17 |
To each his own, but I personally love it. It made me a Queen fan, and side 3 (for those old enough to have owned the record) is live Queen at its best. That version of Spread Your Wings is simply phenomenal. |
| Asterik 02.03.2006 16:47 |
I love live Killers. The somewhat raw sound is a relief from the guitar overdubs and stacked vocal harmonies. The songs are heavier, faster, and more intense, showing a band in peak form as an arena group. The energy is present in all of the songs, especially death On Two legs, Keep Yourself Alive and Don't Stop me Now, which is ten times better than the studio version because the verses ahve some gutsy guitar in them. And then there is Sheer Heart Attack- it is a monster on stage and this rendition is one ofthe best I've heard. Moreover it is a testamnet to a time when Queen did not play greatest hits setlists, when Freddie bothered to play the piano and when they had real vitality. I don't mind their stadium rock years but Live Killers remind sus ther eis so much more to Queen than massed handlcaps for Radio Ga ga. |
| NOTWMEDDLE 02.03.2006 19:22 |
Brian May and Roger Taylor sated on In the Studio for the making of The Game that Queen were exhausted mixing Live Killers. The band recorded all of their European shows on that tour and mixed practically everything. They stated that they should have left John Etchells and/or David Richards to put the live album together. There are few overdubs on Killers like on WATC where Freddie didn't sing the high parts in concert(listen to versions on Houston 1977, We Will Rock You from Montreal DVD 1981 and Queen On Fire Live at the Bowl) |
| The Real Wizard 02.03.2006 23:35 |
rhyeking wrote: In 1982, Roger famously wrote a reply to Rolling Stone magazine's article on their South American tour. In it he said he was really proud of Queen's music, but added in brackets "not all", which I think was a nod to Live Killers and Hot Space.The reply was actually from 1981. Roger wrote in reply to their "review" of their soundcheck in Sao Paulo (I think), and he said, of course sarcastically, how he was looking to their review of his pending solo album. So you can't include Hot Space in the things he wasn't proud of to that point in their career. I'm sure there were many individual songs he didn't like. But the band was a constant compromise, because they were all such strong writers. You don't find too many bands like that. |
| Togg 03.03.2006 11:31 |
I think the only person who might have a clue as to what (if anything) he really said would be Mr Stuart, but if anyone can remember the real quote about Live Killers I'd love to see it. |
| brENsKi 03.03.2006 11:45 |
the "in the studio" points made above are spot on. in part 2 it was an exhausing time, we almost burned out i think our creative flow suffered over that period Brian: i can rememebr labouring onver the LK album, and mixing it ourself....we shoulda just said to someone "hey mix us a live album" Roger: and i don't think it actually turned out.. Brian: it wasn't that great in the end Roger: ..anywhere near as well as it could've done |
| drwinston 03.03.2006 13:05 |
Asterik wrote: I love live Killers. The somewhat raw sound is a relief from the guitar overdubs and stacked vocal harmonies. The songs are heavier, faster, and more intense, showing a band in peak form as an arena group. The energy is present in all of the songs, especially death On Two legs, Keep Yourself Alive and Don't Stop me Now, which is ten times better than the studio version because the verses ahve some gutsy guitar in them. And then there is Sheer Heart Attack- it is a monster on stage and this rendition is one ofthe best I've heard. Moreover it is a testamnet to a time when Queen did not play greatest hits setlists, when Freddie bothered to play the piano and when they had real vitality. I don't mind their stadium rock years but Live Killers remind sus ther eis so much more to Queen than massed handlcaps for Radio Ga ga.Apart from the spelling debacle in the last sentence - GREAT POST! |
| [ Wybren™ ] 03.03.2006 13:24 |
<font color=000000>Fenderek wrote: Well, actually the sound kind of sucks, doesn't it? I've heard better boots...Like? The sound is ok on the new 2004 release. I still think it's a great album, but it could have been better with It's Late and Somebody To Love, maybe If You Can't Beat Them or Fat Bottomed Girls and with a more 'constant' sound quality. |
| Asterik 03.03.2006 16:29 |
drwinston wrote: Apart from the spelling debacle in the last sentence - GREAT POST!reminds us, there is. Thanks for correcting me. |
| goinback 04.03.2006 02:47 |
The thing about Live Killers is you can hear the reaction of the *audience* on it...so many live albums mix them out, like they're not a part of the show. And back then I can see why many musicians would hate live albums, because you're not getting the visual elements of the lights and everything...but the pictures with the album did a great job at getting that across as well I thought. Sometimes the sound is bad, then later in the same song the sound will get better and the stereo separation is wider (as analyses of the edits point out).... It's strange...a lot of Live Killers' performances and sound aren't that great, but somehow the *energy* gets across. |
| Ziggy_SD 04.03.2006 05:14 |
"I am surprised Roger would publically dis-credit something Queen had done at the time of release" Roger is simply notorious for writing off MANY things Queen did. Seeing he was the most politically inclined member, he was also the most critical. Come to think of it, he was like a big bitch. The Queen Bitch, yes! |