| ermin 24.03.2006 18:23 |
Brian stated on his website, "tonight [23 March] was every bit as wonderful as those heady nights in the Old Days - or even better..." Come on, man, I understand you're excited you're touring after so many years. But to say this is even better than with Freddie... come on... And, yes, referring to some of the previous threads, Paul is in it for money, among other things. Do they rock some *ss? Yes, they do. They are still better than most bands. But, remember, Paul said before he didn't really know many Queen songs and he had to learn them. And, no, he can't sing anywhere near as good, or high, as Freddie. He admitted that many times. So, do they have the right to tour? Of course. Are they good? You bet. Would I like to see the concert? Absolutely. But, don't give me that even-better-than-old-days thing. It just isn't.... |
| AmeriQueen 24.03.2006 18:47 |
I think he is referring to some shows and how they stack up. There are a lot of improvements from the past tours to collectively counter the singer switch. A. Background vocals(Danny Miranda, Jamie Moses and Spike Edney replace a vocal-less John Deacon to create stronger harmonies) B. Guitar work(Brian's sound/equipment has evolved and improved over the years, and Jamie Moses offers a never before had 2nd guitar to play Rhythm parts, adding an even fuller sound) C. Songs and Material(3 Queen albums and 5 solo albums have come about since the last tour. Also, PR adds Bad company and Free's greatest hits, which to some help deepen the track listing. D. Brian And Roger as frontmen(This tour has finally allowed Brian and Roger opportunities to sing lead on stage. After years of solo touring, they are quite ready for the challenge on every single night.) E. Video and Nostalgia(With the Those where the days, Bo Rhap and Brighton Rock/Last Horizon video clips, Queen has managed to successfully incorporate some strong theatrical moments hitting on the nostalgia of Queen's past, offering a new emotional dynamic to this tour. Freddie's voice in Bo Rhap and the Beautiful Day opening mix are fantastic tools as well. All that being said, I agree with you that the old tour will always be better as a whole. However, these new elements along with Paul Rodgers great presence as the new guy on the mic, have shown us in several shows(Prague, Birmingham, Sheffield, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Duluth to name a few) that they can still reach that old level, and make shows of the same calibur. Brian's right, some nights are as good as the old days, and probably in some ways better. |
| zone 24.03.2006 18:53 |
I seen them in 1980 and 1982 ,I just seen them last week ,and no way is it even close .I think he's just really exited to be out playing all those great song's again. |
| Mr Faron Hyte 24.03.2006 18:55 |
I think most people can relate to having something for a long time, to the point that you take it for granted - then you lose that for a long time, and if you're lucky enough to get it back again, it sometimes seems all the sweeter for the period where you didn't have it. That's human nature. And really, of all the completely cockamamie stuff Brian May has written on that website over the last couple of years, you think THIS is the one where he's losing perspective?? That guy's been out on a moonbeam for a looooooong time. |
| Whatinthewhatthe? 24.03.2006 19:06 |
Well done, Ameriqueen!! |
| Haystacks Calhoun 24.03.2006 19:20 |
AmeriQueen wrote: I think he is referring to some shows and how they stack up. There are a lot of improvements from the past tours to collectively counter the singer switch. A. Background vocals(Danny Miranda, Jamie Moses and Spike Edney replace a vocal-less John Deacon to create stronger harmonies) B. Guitar work(Brian's sound/equipment has evolved and improved over the years, and Jamie Moses offers a never before had 2nd guitar to play Rhythm parts, adding an even fuller sound) C. Songs and Material(3 Queen albums and 5 solo albums have come about since the last tour. Also, PR adds Bad company and Free's greatest hits, which to some help deepen the track listing. D. Brian And Roger as frontmen(This tour has finally allowed Brian and Roger opportunities to sing lead on stage. After years of solo touring, they are quite ready for the challenge on every single night.) E. Video and Nostalgia(With the Those where the days, Bo Rhap and Brighton Rock/Last Horizon video clips, Queen has managed to successfully incorporate some strong theatrical moments hitting on the nostalgia of Queen's past, offering a new emotional dynamic to this tour. Freddie's voice in Bo Rhap and the Beautiful Day opening mix are fantastic tools as well. All that being said, I agree with you that the old tour will always be better as a whole. However, these new elements along with Paul Rodgers great presence as the new guy on the mic, have shown us in several shows(Prague, Birmingham, Sheffield, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Duluth to name a few) that they can still reach that old level, and make shows of the same calibur. Brian's right, some nights are as good as the old days, and probably in some ways better.Bingo. It amazes me that folks want to vilify everyone. The way I see it, I am THIRILLED to have the opportunity to see these guys do what they love to do. To top that off, they can still do it at a very high level. Sure, it isn't 1982, but please, be realistic. It never will be the same, but that does not mean that it can't be great, and, in some respects, BETTER than it was. The vocal harmonies in many, many songs in Cleveland were incredible. That never happened with Freddie at the lead. Brian's guitar playing is spot on, and he proves night after night that he is still the best rock guitarist around. Paul Rodgers is gaining the respect of EVERY SINGLE PERSON who sees this show live. This tour is giving Paul a big time career revival, as I know that I will gladly pay to see this man again, be it with Queen, or solo. The fucker can BRING IT. |
| Donna13 24.03.2006 19:43 |
"Brian stated on his website, "tonight [23 March] was every bit as wonderful as those heady nights in the Old Days - or even better..."" OK here is my interpretation: Brian means that to him, personally, it seems as wonderful (not that he thinks the fans think this is better than the shows with Freddie). It was wonderful to him to get such a great audience reaction and I think that now that the tour is really tight, he can let his mind soak in the whole experience while he is playing. He deserves it. |
| zone 24.03.2006 19:50 |
The comment was"even better than with Freddie"it's not better ,and of course it's not 82,and for the vocals they've got 4 back up vocals as appose to two. |
| zone 24.03.2006 20:16 |
Sorry five back up vocalists ,Freddie only had two. |
| Mr.Jingles 24.03.2006 20:19 |
Keep this in mind... To someone like Brian May not being on tour playing all the songs that made him a worlwide beloved celebrity, is like being celibate. Basically the poor guy hasn't had nookie since 1986. |
| Donna13 24.03.2006 20:32 |
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| All I Hear Is Radio Gaga 24.03.2006 21:07 |
AmeriQueen wrote: I think he is referring to some shows and how they stack up. There are a lot of improvements from the past tours to collectively counter the singer switch. A. Background vocals(Danny Miranda, Jamie Moses and Spike Edney replace a vocal-less John Deacon to create stronger harmonies) B. Guitar work(Brian's sound/equipment has evolved and improved over the years, and Jamie Moses offers a never before had 2nd guitar to play Rhythm parts, adding an even fuller sound) C. Songs and Material(3 Queen albums and 5 solo albums have come about since the last tour. Also, PR adds Bad company and Free's greatest hits, which to some help deepen the track listing. D. Brian And Roger as frontmen(This tour has finally allowed Brian and Roger opportunities to sing lead on stage. After years of solo touring, they are quite ready for the challenge on every single night.) E. Video and Nostalgia(With the Those where the days, Bo Rhap and Brighton Rock/Last Horizon video clips, Queen has managed to successfully incorporate some strong theatrical moments hitting on the nostalgia of Queen's past, offering a new emotional dynamic to this tour. Freddie's voice in Bo Rhap and the Beautiful Day opening mix are fantastic tools as well. All that being said, I agree with you that the old tour will always be better as a whole. However, these new elements along with Paul Rodgers great presence as the new guy on the mic, have shown us in several shows(Prague, Birmingham, Sheffield, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Duluth to name a few) that they can still reach that old level, and make shows of the same calibur. Brian's right, some nights are as good as the old days, and probably in some ways better.Well said |
| ermin 24.03.2006 23:13 |
Now, let me get this straight. This tour is actually better because there are more backing vocals and guitars resulting in a more faithful reproduction of original recordings. Well, if that were to be the measure, they could have invited a chorus and professional musicians to play. I'm sure they would be able to sound just like the original recordings. The thing is, concert is not just about (re)producing the original records faithfully and having a rich sound. It is about performance, showmanship, and interaction with the audience. And no-one was better at that than certain Mr. Mercury. In other words: is sound on "Return of the Champions" better than at "Live at Wembley"? Yes. Are songs more faithfully reproduced at the "Return"? I think so. Which concert is better? Wembley! Absolutely no comparison! "Hello again my beauties... Is it happening? Everybody ok? Don't fool around..." I'm not saying the current tour is bad -- far from that. It's very good and I'm happy they're touring. But, please, please...it can't be compared with old times... It just can't |
| Donna13 24.03.2006 23:33 |
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| Mr Faron Hyte 24.03.2006 23:50 |
ermin wrote: Now, let me get this straight. This tour is actually better because there are more backing vocals and guitars resulting in a more faithful reproduction of original recordings. Well, if that were to be the measure, they could have invited a chorus and professional musicians to play. I'm sure they would be able to sound just like the original recordings. The thing is, concert is not just about (re)producing the original records faithfully and having a rich sound. It is about performance, showmanship, and interaction with the audience. And no-one was better at that than certain Mr. Mercury. In other words: is sound on "Return of the Champions" better than at "Live at Wembley"? Yes. Are songs more faithfully reproduced at the "Return"? I think so. Which concert is better? Wembley! Absolutely no comparison! "Hello again my beauties... Is it happening? Everybody ok? Don't fool around..." I'm not saying the current tour is bad -- far from that. It's very good and I'm happy they're touring. But, please, please...it can't be compared with old times... It just can'tI think maybe you're assuming more than he's actually saying. You're taking what he said, which was actually very little, and extrapolating the most graceless and tactless interpretation from it - a "worst case scenario" if you will. I doubt very seriously he's saying that overall playing with Paul Rodgers in 2006 is better than playing with Freddie in 1976 - although I think its entirely possible he enjoys some aspects of it more now than he did then, or perhaps has a different perspective on the whole thing now that allows him to enjoy his experience today more than when he was younger and taking the whole thing as a given. It just seems like you're trying to take his words and, for whatever reason of your own, assume them in the worst possible light. |
| All I Hear Is Radio Gaga 25.03.2006 01:19 |
Haystacks Calhoun wrote:Wow great review on Paul...Cheers to you!AmeriQueen wrote: I think he is referring to some shows and how they stack up. There are a lot of improvements from the past tours to collectively counter the singer switch. A. Background vocals(Danny Miranda, Jamie Moses and Spike Edney replace a vocal-less John Deacon to create stronger harmonies) B. Guitar work(Brian's sound/equipment has evolved and improved over the years, and Jamie Moses offers a never before had 2nd guitar to play Rhythm parts, adding an even fuller sound) C. Songs and Material(3 Queen albums and 5 solo albums have come about since the last tour. Also, PR adds Bad company and Free's greatest hits, which to some help deepen the track listing. D. Brian And Roger as frontmen(This tour has finally allowed Brian and Roger opportunities to sing lead on stage. After years of solo touring, they are quite ready for the challenge on every single night.) E. Video and Nostalgia(With the Those where the days, Bo Rhap and Brighton Rock/Last Horizon video clips, Queen has managed to successfully incorporate some strong theatrical moments hitting on the nostalgia of Queen's past, offering a new emotional dynamic to this tour. Freddie's voice in Bo Rhap and the Beautiful Day opening mix are fantastic tools as well. All that being said, I agree with you that the old tour will always be better as a whole. However, these new elements along with Paul Rodgers great presence as the new guy on the mic, have shown us in several shows(Prague, Birmingham, Sheffield, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Duluth to name a few) that they can still reach that old level, and make shows of the same calibur. Brian's right, some nights are as good as the old days, and probably in some ways better.Bingo. It amazes me that folks want to vilify everyone. The way I see it, I am THIRILLED to have the opportunity to see these guys do what they love to do. To top that off, they can still do it at a very high level. Sure, it isn't 1982, but please, be realistic. It never will be the same, but that does not mean that it can't be great, and, in some respects, BETTER than it was. The vocal harmonies in many, many songs in Cleveland were incredible. That never happened with Freddie at the lead. Brian's guitar playing is spot on, and he proves night after night that he is still the best rock guitarist around. Paul Rodgers is gaining the respect of EVERY SINGLE PERSON who sees this show live. This tour is giving Paul a big time career revival, as I know that I will gladly pay to see this man again, be it with Queen, or solo. The fucker can BRING IT. |
| felixqueen76 25.03.2006 01:25 |
How do we misinterpret "every bit as wonderful" into the statement "better than" ? |
| wstüssyb 25.03.2006 02:56 |
Brian is having fun again, remeber he is a entertainer, this is his passion, there's life after Freddie, so be it. Maybe he is having more fun as he can do more things then what he used to do on a tour, where most things were rushed, now that he is worth millions they can do the things the way they want to, which also adds more fun to it. Maybe they might do another tour...I'd still pay, could give a shit less who sings for Brian & Roger, Still know 5% of fans will bitch about it anyways. |
| Lisser 25.03.2006 03:46 |
/hijack Did somebody say bingo? I just got home from midnight bingo. I bingo'd twice!!!! /hijack |
| teleman 25.03.2006 04:45 |
He's enjoying himself and is enthused. Good on him. Get over it, he never dissed Freddie. |
| Asterik 25.03.2006 12:30 |
Wel for me, the guitar sound on the Queen +PR tour is the best there's ever been. To me it was ridiculous why they didn't have a second guiitarist in the first place. |
| Just You and Me 25.03.2006 12:30 |
felixqueen76 wrote: How do we misinterpret "every bit as wonderful" into the statement "better than" ?I beleive they're running from the "...or even better..." statement there. |
| stringsrmagicalzey 25.03.2006 13:59 |
***"Brian stated on his website, "tonight [23 March] was every bit as wonderful as those heady nights in the Old Days - or even better..."*** Well...Fortunately Brian, Roger and Paul are doing what please and fulfill them as musicians, and lucky us who are willing to enjoy their art. I am really happy for they are having a ball now.Good for them! Good vibes, Peace, love and a whole lot of good hapiness stuff! |
| AmeriQueen 25.03.2006 14:53 |
ermin wrote: Now, let me get this straight. This tour is actually better because there are more backing vocals and guitars resulting in a more faithful reproduction of original recordings. Well, if that were to be the measure, they could have invited a chorus and professional musicians to play. I'm sure they would be able to sound just like the original recordings. The thing is, concert is not just about (re)producing the original records faithfully and having a rich sound. It is about performance, showmanship, and interaction with the audience. And no-one was better at that than certain Mr. Mercury. In other words: is sound on "Return of the Champions" better than at "Live at Wembley"? Yes. Are songs more faithfully reproduced at the "Return"? I think so. Which concert is better? Wembley! Absolutely no comparison! "Hello again my beauties... Is it happening? Everybody ok? Don't fool around..." I'm not saying the current tour is bad -- far from that. It's very good and I'm happy they're touring. But, please, please...it can't be compared with old times... It just can'tIt's not about sounding like the record, nor is it even about comparison. It's merely a different animal, this Q + PR tour. Brian and Roger are still as good(in Roger's case better) now as they were then, and this tour offers them lead opportunities to go with a blues based Queen interpretation. With all the points I mentioned earlier, it is a breath of fresh air. Yeah, the air was fine before and we would all love an old Freddie tour, but since that isn't possible, this tour came about. For people like me who have collected and heard somewhere between 40 - 50 different shows, the new tour offers us more of Brian and Roger which has always been my #1 old tour complaint. All I am saying is that on nights when the band is on and Paul is really belting it out, Roger's voice isn't torn up and Brian is really feeling it, they can put on a show better than some of the old tour. For example, I disagree with the Wembley 86 vs. Sheffield 05 debate. I would take Return of the Champions. I have always thought Wembley '86 to be a HIGHLY overrated concert and the worst of all official shows. It has it's good points, but Budapest was WAY better. All that being said, on their best day with the right setlist, crowd and all at 100%, they will never be able to top shows like the Montreal '81, Budapest '86 show mentioned before, Earl's Court '77, Houston '77 and other top old tour shows. It's all individual taste/opinion anyway. |
| Freddie's #1 Fan Forever 25.03.2006 20:40 |
Yeah, Ermin, Brian sounds pretty nutty at times. Among other things, doesn't he remember the day (July 13th, 1985) when Freddie Mercury stole Live Aid? Is he losing his mind or something? |
| Sherwood Forest 25.03.2006 20:42 |
with the date thing, what i was thinking was that he wrote that the night before and jen posted it late or something. |
| Deacons 1st Choice 26.03.2006 12:04 |
Aww come on guys... Brian is having the time of his life...he's happy again and i for one am very pleased to hear this. God knows with all he's been through, he is entitled to some happiness for once. I think his comments are being mis-interperted. He's not comparing Q+PR's shows to Queen's era ....he's expressing his utter joy at how well things are going and how glad he is to be back onstage playing live for us all here Stateside. We should all be very thankful for that...i know i am! :) |
| Whatinthewhatthe? 26.03.2006 18:43 |
Seeing so many pictures of Brian with a smile that could break his face open...priceless. They are all having such a good time and are thankful that people are turning out to see them. I'm just thankful I was lucky enough to see them again and was knocked-out at what a good show they can do...just like in the "old days"! |
| Donna13 26.03.2006 20:26 |
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| Fenderek 27.03.2006 10:21 |
Mr.Jingles wrote: Keep this in mind... To someone like Brian May not being on tour playing all the songs that made him a worlwide beloved celebrity, is like being celibate. Basically the poor guy hasn't had nookie since 1986.EXACTLY! No wander he goes on stage screaming "Geronimo!" ;) |
| gnomo 28.03.2006 05:17 |
Fenderek wrote:ROTFL you're right!!!Mr.Jingles wrote: Basically the poor guy hasn't had nookie since 1986.EXACTLY! No wander he goes on stage screaming "Geronimo!" ;) |
| Togg 28.03.2006 10:03 |
Well I can tell you that from my point of view the new stuff is every bit as good as before. I saw them in 1980 for the first time and the energy was amazing, but the sound was pretty roppy. iu saw them several times after that ending in the last Freddie tour and by that time the sound was great but the energy had gone (just a little) The sound of those old songs has NEVER sounded as good as it does now, admittedly that is partly because of the backing guys, and also the technology is better, however, I think Brian is playing better than ever, Roger has a muchbetter sounding kit and is playing dead on, not as fast as years gone bye but then they have slowed down pretty well all the songs, so that they are closer to the original. I am sure there will be those that disagree, but I also know what I heard in the 80's and believe me this is right up there with it. |
| GonnaUseMyPrisoners 01.04.2006 02:06 |
As someone who was there that night, let me assure you that Donna13 was the first to get it right: he was ONLY talking about the LOUD ASS, LOYAL crowd reception that just literally bowled him over with long-lasting expressions of our love! We roared! If you were there, you would remember him saying Chicago's name at various times during the show as if to reinforce the memory. After WATC and GSTQ played, I could see him humbly mouthing repeated thanks and really taking in the "lights up" view of the crowd LONG, LONG, LONG AFTER GSTQ had finished playing. He didn't want to leave the stage, it was obvious, and he was by FAR the last one to do so. Almost like he wanted to go back to the microphone & say something more. We didn't want him to leave, either. He's talking about the audience - Chicago's known for it. (We're not saying we're better than anyone, we just make a lot of noise, and we like getting noticed for it!) It brought him back, that's all, and that's cool. My friends & I wouldn't want to let him down! |